REVIEW | Céline Trio Bag

It's been exactly two months since my last post, and I know, it's completely unacceptable. Between taking time off from work, traveling and starting a new job, my life has been cray cray as of late, but I'm finally back on a routine and ready to roll!

I was chatting on here recently about my adventures in Finland, Sweden and Denmark back in June, and shared my mini haul from & Other Stories during my visit in Stockholm in my last post. Well, hold onto your hats, 'cos I'm about to unveil this gorgeous luxury purchase that I scooped up during my time in Copenhagen - say hej to my new Celine Trio Bag!

On the last day of our three day stay in the city, we went and walked along Stroget, one of Copenhagen's most famous spots (as well as one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets). I had two main objectives that day - the first was to visit the beautiful Tortus boutique and studio which has been on my wishlist for years, and the second was to drop by Illum, a Copenhagen-based luxury department store, to browse one of my favorite luxury brands. Just as I thought I would be leaving Céline empty handed, as they didn't have the exact Mini Belt Bag that I had in mind, I caught a glimpse of the massive pile of Celine Trio bags neatly stacked on top of a pristine glass table, and this particular Trio Bag in Smoke, a new colour for the upcoming Fall season, just called out to me. And now, here we are!

The Céline Trio comes in two sizes - large and small - but I found the difference in dimensions to be quite minuscule. For reference, the large is slightly roomier at 10" x 7" x 2" compared to the small at 9" x 6" x 2". I opted for the latter, just because it looked a bit daintier on my 5'5 frame. The leather strap is adjustable and has a 20" drop, and hits me perfectly at the hip when worn on the shoulder and a bit higher when worn cross body.

The leather feels very soft, smooth and high quality, and the gold hardware adds a touch of flare to complement the simplicity of the design. There are three zipped pouches that are attached together with snap buttons, with the strap permanently attached to the middle pouch. If you detach the front and back pouches and clip them together, it can be used as a clutch. I don't see myself doing this however, as it's quite difficult to snap the pouches on and off without feeling like I'm bending and ruining the leather. Plus, the Céline logo is only embossed on the front pouch, so there really is no point in using the pouches separately.

Despite its flat and inflexible appearance, the bag can surprisingly fit quite a lot - the soft leather allows for some give and the pouches expand to carry a lot more than it seems capable of. I personally choose not to do so because of fear of ruining or stretching the material, since anything that is pointy or more irregular in shape can poke out and distort the leather - which freaks me out. So far, I haven't gotten a single scratch or scrape on it, and I would very much like to keep it that way!

After two months of regular use, this bag has proven to be quite lovely for casual days out, and fits most of my essentials that I can then organise into different pouches. Not gonna lie, most of the time I forget where I put certain things, so I end up having to unzip all three pouches to find what I'm looking for. Now, I stick to putting my most important belongings in the middle pouch, makeup and gum in the front, and keys and random trinkets in the back.

The only gripe I have with this bag is that it doesn't fit my everyday Céline Large Flap Wallet - it takes me a few extra minutes to take out my must-haves (ID, credit card, cash, VIP and loyalty cards) and transfer them into a smaller wallet, and when I'm in a hurry and need to get out the door fast (which is always, 'cos I'm never on time), this becomes a slight hassle. But hey, I opted to get a bag this size, so I really don't have the right to complain.

While I certainly don't believe this is a must-have bag from the brand (unlike their cult classic aka the Céline Luggage Tote), I still think it's a great luxury buy with a lower, more affordable price point and equally amazing quality and workmanship. Currently, I'm rotating between the Trio and my two other newer bag additions, the Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag and the Manu Atelier Mini Pristine, and I couldn't be happier! Yahoo!

Stay tuned as I share my long overdue mini hauls from Inglot and NYX, as well as the rest of my adventures in the Baltic Sea!

REVIEW | Manu Atelier Mini Pristine

I'm coming up on my first work anniversary - seriously, how am I an adult now - and I decided months ago to save up some extra cash and get myself a present to commemorate the occasion. Just a job-well-done, you-survived gift, if you will. So without further ado, here's the big reveal - meet my new Manu Atelier Mini Pristine!

Manu Atelier Mini Pristine

Vegetable Tanned Leather in Reddish Brown

$4135HKD at Lane Crawford | $495USD at Shopbop, NET-A-PORTER

Manu Atelier is a relatively newer brand - it was co-founded by two sisters in Istanbul, Turkey in February 2014 - and their bags have been on my radar for quite some time now. I've been eyeing this gorgeous piece in particular for a few months, but had held off purchasing it since my boyfriend had gotten me the Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag for my birthday just last November, and I wanted to make sure that bag got some proper loving first. After stalking this baby online for the hundredth time, I decided to bite the bullet last week and strutted into Lane Crawford to finally bring this bag home with me.

Size |

The Pristine bags come in three sizes - Pristine, Mini and Micro - and I had a really difficult time choosing between the Pristine and the Mini. (The Micro bags, although super adorable, are way too small and all come with a chunky gold chain strap that just isn't my cup of tea.) After trying the two different sizes on in-store, I found that the Mini looked the best on my 5'5 frame, whereas the Pristine was just a fraction too big and boxy. The Mini can hold my Céline wallet, keys, and a small makeup pouch with ease, and my iPad mini is just able to fit snuggly inside. Obviously, the Pristine would be a better choice for a roomier fit, but I personally enjoy the Mini's compact size and overall aesthetic. The strap is adjustable and the bag hits me perfectly at the hip (just like the picture below), and can be adjusted longer or shorter depending if I wear it cross-body or just hanging on my shoulder.

Image from Lane Crawford

Color |

When I first laid eyes on this bag, I wanted it in the color black. What else, right? It took a lot of deliberation and self-reflection to finally convince myself that, no, I did not need another black bag. In fact, all the Manu Atelier bags come in such fun and beautiful color variations and combinations that I found it extremely challenging to narrow down my preferences. But I knew my best bet was to go for a neutral color that could complement any look or outfit. Lo and behold, Lane Crawford's website revealed that the only three color variations they had in stock for the Mini were Black, Reddish Brown, and Ice Beige, and one quick glance at Reddish Brown was all it took for me to know that it had to be mine - the color is to die for, and it truly looks amazingly stylish and effortless with anything I wear - obsessed!

Image from Lane Crawford

Leather |
Like all three of my Mansur Gavriel bags, this Mini Pristine also comes in vegetable tanned leather, but has a more refined and polished texture that makes me less anxious about wearing it out in public. Unlike my Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, which I have to physically shield and protect from everyone and everything when I'm out and about, I can carry this bag around with confidence and not feel the need to baby it too much. Don't get me wrong, this can definitely still get scratched and marked up, but the leather has a smoother, lacquered finish to it that makes it seem much more durable and less delicate than my Mansur Gavriel bags. Only time will tell, but the leather seems to be of premium quality and gets a two thumbs up from me!

As for the other features of the bag, it comes with a sturdy magnetic closure, hand-stitched corner guards, as well as an interior zipped compartment and textured fabric lining. Manu Atelier's overall aesthetic is very much reminiscent of Mansur Gavriel - clean lines, elegant silhouettes and quality leather. It's no mystery as to why I was so drawn to the brand from the get-go.

A word of advice would be, if at all possible, to purchase this bag in person as opposed to online. Speaking from personal experience, I had to ask the sales associate at Lane Crawford for three different versions of the same bag before I found one that was, in my opinion, in pristine condition - meaning no small scratches or veining in the leather. Yes, I understand that this bag may very well get scuffed up in the near future, but I'd very much like to be the one doing the scuffing. Ya feel me?

A week in and I'm absolutely in love with every single aspect of this Manu Atelier Mini Pristine - I can't stop using it! Uh oh, seems like I have yet another new brand obsession...

REVIEW | MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation

It's taken me years to finally take the plunge and buy my first ever MAC foundation - the whole NC/NW shade system confused the heck outta me, was it just me? - but it's better late than never! When the Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation first launched last fall, I was instantly drawn to the name - like a moth to a burning flame - on account of my unhealthy obsession with lightweight, natural bases with SPF.

MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation

$34 USD at MAC, Nordstrom

30ml, 1oz | 23 Shades

MAC's shade system is one of the most counterintuitive concepts I've ever come across. All their foundations are categorized into either NC (Neutral Cool) and NW (Neutral Warm). Now, if you were to believe you'd match a NC foundation if you had cooler undertones and NW if you were warmer, you'd be dead wrong. Instead, NC foundations all have warm, yellow undertones while NW foundations have cool, pink undertones. Yes, you probably all know this already, but still, what the heck?! And not to mention all the times I've tried getting color-matched at a MAC counter only to be matched to a different shade and undertone. Sigh. But alas, this foundation launched last year and generated so much buzz that I just couldn't help myself.

MAC claims this foundation "delivers color in an ultra-fluid, elastic gel-serum formula with a virtually weightless feel" that not only controls oil, but also provides all-day hydration. The foundation comes in a frosted glass bottle with a dropper applicator, which seems handy but actually gets pretty messy around the opening. The consistency of the foundation is like a serum - very fluid and runny - and blends and melts effortlessly into the skin. It feels weightless, as MAC claims, and has very natural, skin-like coverage that can be built up from sheer to an almost-but-not-quite medium, leaving a dewy, natural finish. This is one of the few foundations that doesn't cake up even when I add on layers, and I find that a flat-top brush give the most coverage and the most seamless finish. While this doesn't have the best lasting power on me - I notice fading after just five hours - it doesn't separate or get patchy, and wears away quite naturally. From the get-go, this looks dewy on my oily-combination skin and I get progressively shinier in the T-zone throughout the day. So powdering and blotting is a must!

I ordered this foundation online and had to base my shade decision off online swatches, and ended up picking NC20 that works fine as my winter shade, but NC25 or NC30 would've definitely been a better match. Since hauling this earlier in the year, I've worn this a handful of times during the hotter months and was not all impressed - this streaked down my face once while I was out walking Riley, dripping down and staining my crisp, white T-shirt. The horror! The humidity also made me look like a greasy, sweaty mess, so if you're also oily and prone to heavy sweating, avoid wearing this in the summer. In the winter, however, this foundation has proven to work wonders. As the weather's now turned chillier here in Hong Kong (thank the heavens, it's about time), I've been reaching for this almost everyday as a natural, everyday base for work. I see this working best for those of you with dry to normal, and even combination skin types that prefer lightweight, natural coverage. Oily girls, don't be afraid to give this a try as long as you accept that this foundation will make you look shiny (and lasting power will be slightly lacking). 

Swatched | Blended out

Side note - I hear this is an exact, and I mean 100% identical dupe of the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30. Same ingredients, same formula, same exact foundation. How, you ask? Well, turns out both MAC and Smashbox are owned by Estee Lauder, so I guess they thought it was a smart marketing strategy to release this new formula under both companies. Smashbox is more expensive than MAC at $42USD for the same amount of product, and offers only 8 shades compared to 23 shades. So unless you're a ride-or-die Smashbox fan, there's a pretty clear winner here. 

Now that I've tried my first MAC foundation (and somewhat figured out the infuriating shade system), I'll definitely be swatching some of the other foundations next time I pass by a MAC counter. Holler in the comments if you have any favorite MAC bases!

REVIEW | Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

Every morning for the past two weeks, I have been blindly reaching for the same base to help the situation on my face, and that would be the Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15. This was one of those iconic products that I had lusted after forever (side-eyeing it after time I passed by their counters), but held off on purchasing due to the hefty price tag. Last Christmas, I decided it was finally time - thank the holidays - to bite the bullet and see just what all the fuss was about.

Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

$670 HKD at Chantecaille HK, Lane Crawford | $72 USD at Chantecaille US, Nordstrom

50g, 1.7oz | 7 Shades

Chantecaille describes this as a lightweight tinted moisturizer that has anti-irritant, antioxidant and antipollution properties to protect the skin from free radicals, smog and the sun. It aims to provide excellent coverage and smooth fine lines while locking in the skin's moisture, and is suitable for sensitive skin. Not going to lie, don't exactly know how all that anti-whatever works (or how to test those claims out) but it all sounds great and dandy! So how good is it really?

First and foremost, I have to say that this has one of, if not the best texture of any base I've ever tried. It's so incredibly creamy and velvety - to the point where it feels more like applying a face cream - and truly blends seamlessly into the skin, perfecting the face without looking like you have anything on. Just skin. To whoever named this product - bravo, you were spot-on. Now, keep in mind that the coverage is sheer to light, so it's definitely catered to those who have quite good skin to begin with, and not for problematic skin or medium to full coverage junkies. The shade I got matched to, Vanilla, oxidizes ever so slightly, but it isn't at all noticeable on the face. This applies smoothly with just the finger tips, while using a brush gives a touch more coverage. I find that this lasts a good five, six hours on my face before starting to fade, but I do get shiny in the T-zone after just two hours, especially with the lovely Hong Kong humidity. 

I picked my tube up at Lane Crawford for $670 HKD (which translates to $86 USD), so it works out to be a tad cheaper if you get it in the states. You do get 1.7oz of product as opposed to the standard 1oz, but still, dang! The ultimate question is, do I think this is worth the splurge?

My answer is.. it really depends! Here's the deal - if you enjoy a creamy, smooth base that offers light coverage and an effortless, luminous finish (and you don't mind treating yo'self) then you will absolutely adore this. For those of you who simply can't justify the eye-watering price tag but want something similar, then might I suggest trying out the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue ($29.5), NARS' Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer ($44) or Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer ($44). Although none of these are able to exactly duplicate the same velvety consistency, all three give a very similar finish - dewy, radiant skin at a considerably cheaper price point. Out of the three, I would say NARS has the most comparable texture, and bareMinerals the most similar, dewy finish. 

And not to keep rambling on - but I'm gonna - there are two issues I have with this. The first is the flat out awful shade range. Eyebrow raise. The second is with the SPF - what in the heck am I going to do with an SPF of 15? That might as well be SPF 0 in my books. But I find that pairing this with my trusty Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ underneath negates the "just skin" effect that it's going for. For now, I've resorted to wearing this around the house or at night (the SPF doesn't seem to give me a white cast as it should in theory). But for the moolah I've shelled out for this baby (and the beautiful finish it gives to the face), I should be able to wear this all day and parade my face around. Sigh.

Swatched | Blended out

So unless you fancy a bit of a splurge and want to experience that creamy texture and naturally radiant, "I-have-amazing-skin-cos-I-drink-eight-cups-of-water-everyday" finish (and you trust all the wonderful skin-benefiting claims), then I would say you could live without this Chantecaille Tinted Moisturizer. Am I happy I bought this? Heck yes. Will I run out and repurchase this when it's finished? For now, probably not. I am more than content with my current collection of tinted moisturizers, but, if you catch me in a spendy mood (which is quite often, unfortunately), I can't guarantee that I won't be spotted lurking by the Chantecaille counters.