HAUL | Sephora VIB Sale 2017

So my dad just came back from Beantown after running his third consecutive Boston marathon, and it just so happened that he was scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong the day after Sephora's VIB sale officially started. So - yes, you guessed it - I sent my dad detailed instructions (pictures, maps, floor plans, blueprints, the whole nine yards) and had him venture into Sephora on his own to pick up a few items on my wishlist. What a champ!

The first item on my list was the Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash that I had tried out and reviewed in a previous Sample Sunday, and I knew I needed it in my life after just one try - it's a gentle yet incredibly effective scrub that makes my skin feel new again. I had instructed my dad to get the 8oz bottle, but he went ahead and got the 16oz instead because "it worked out to be a better deal"... Asian parents, I'm telling you. Next up was the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer that I had heard rave reviews about ever since it launched two months ago. I've been a longtime fan of their Radiant Creamy Concealer, but reviews kept referring to this as even smoother, creamier, and long lasting with full coverage. I picked up the shade Cannelle, which is actually a shade darker than its counterpart in the other formula, so using it under the eyes is a no-go (until I get more tan). But so far, this is working wonders on the face (I'll be comparing the two concealers in an upcoming review so stay tuned!). Since it's approaching summertime, I thought it would be a good idea to repurchase an old favorite in a darker shade, the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue in Ginger 06. The last tube I used up was in the shade Buttercream 03, but because this base blends out to be quite sheer, the shade difference isn't too drastic. I love how natural and healthy this looks on the skin, while also providing SPF protection - a definite win for effortless, summery makeup! I also repurchased my trusty Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel that I swear by for helping treat and clear up any breakouts, and another tub of the BeautyBlender Solid Cleanser that is the only product that I feel thoroughly cleans out my sponges and brushes.

The only other item I wanted was the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Poreless Finish Airbrush Press Powder - phew, that's a long one - but unfortunately it was out of stock in stores. I've heard somewhat mixed reviews on both this and the loose powder version, but I was intrigued about the poreless and airbrushed perfection claims, so I definitely will keep an eye out for it to test it out for myself!

Lastly, my dad went off script and brought back this Lancôme Say It With Your Eyes Essential Eye Kit that, and I'm trying hard to hold back tears as I write this, he had accidentally used my Beauty Insider points to redeem - 500 of them! And keep in mind, I have never redeemed anything with my points ever, 'cos I just wanted to accumulate and save up for something epic. Sigh. I am not a big Lancôme fan - only because I haven't tried much from the brand - and could've definitely lived without this set, but, I'm just going to take a deep breath and be thankful that my dad went to Sephora for me in the first place - and grateful he didn't use up all my hard-earned points. This set comes with the Hypnôse Drama Instant Full Body Volume Mascara, Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, Génifique Yeux Youth Activating Eye Cream and the Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover. I sincerely hope these are good products and that they can make up for all my quiet sobbing and silent tears. Keep an eye out for these in upcoming Sample Sundays!

HAUL x REVIEW | Sephora Hong Kong

Yes, I know I just posted my Sephora VIB haul a little over a month ago, but procrastination got the best of me and I never got around to posting this haul I made during Black Friday last November. Almost a year ago, I announced that Sephora was making its way over to the 852 via their online store, and it took me eight months to finally make my first order. They were offering a 20 percent off Black Friday discount, and you know I just couldn't resist.

Shipping took a total of four days, and all my items came securely packaged in bubble wrap. As soon as this came through my door, all Riley wanted to do was tear into my package and chew up all my lovely products. Not happening! So instead I made her sit quietly and pose for the camera - she does not look amused. You guys would be proud to know that I kept my haul to a minimum this time around - zero makeup!

Let's start with the most eye-catching item of the haul - the bright, Barney-purple Practk Palmat Brush Cleaner. I finally decided my half-assed attempt at cleaning my brushes by rubbing them between my fingers and on my palm just wasn't cutting it, and came across this handy product on the website for $10USD. When the Sigma Beauty brush cleaning gloves first launched a few years back, I thought they were just way too expensive for what they were (it's currently priced at $39USD), so color me surprised when I found out after my order that Practk is actually a new sister brand of Sigma Beauty that creates inexpensive and innovative beauty tools! The Palmat is much smaller and more portable than the Sigma variations, and fits right in the palm of my hand (and is adjustable to fit any hand size). There are grooves and indentations - a wash and refine section - on both sides that are designed specifically for larger face brushes and smaller eye brushes that really do wonders at getting in there and thoroughly cleaning all the foundation and eyeshadow out of my brushes. I've used it a handful of times so far and have been really enjoying the results. Ten bucks well spent!

Practk Palmat Brush Cleaner

Instead of splurging on makeup products this time - and believe me, I had to exercise great restraint - I opted for some much needed beauty tools that were currently lacking in my collection - eye brushes! I am not someone that wears (or experiments with) fun, creative eye makeup - a soft brown shade like MAC Wedge in the crease and I'm good to go - but nonetheless, quality eye brushes are a must. I've heard rave reviews about Zoeva, especially regarding their brushes, but never had the opportunity to get my hands on them until now! After perusing dozens of online reviews and pictures, I narrowed down my choices to just three eye brushes - the 221 Luxe Soft Crease, 224 Luxe Defined Crease, and 228 Luxe Crease. They might all look eerily similar, but trust me, they're not!

MAC 217 | Zoeva 221 Luxe Soft Crease | Zoeva 224 Luxe Defined Crease | Zoeva 228 Luxe Crease

My favorite, or rather most-used, of the three would have to be the 221 Luxe Soft Crease - it's the perfect size for my eyelids and my go-to for a sheer wash of color, and helps blend out all my shadows to perfection. It is comparable to my trusty MAC 217 in terms of shape, application and functionality, except that the 217 is pinched at the ferrule. The 228 Luxe Crease is a more tapered version of the 221, and I use it to deposit a darker shade on the outer corners for that smokey effect. I reach for the 224 Luxe Defined Crease the least, as I find that the more feathery and splayed out characteristic of the brush hairs make it best suited for detailed work in the crease that I just don't often do. However, the bristles are cut flat at the top and are all of the same length, which makes it a unique brush in my collection. Each brush was $82HKD (just over $10USD), and so far I am loving them all and genuinely impressed with the quality.

Zoeva 109 Face Paint Brush

Lastly, to feed my ongoing obsession with contouring, here's the one brush that inspired this entire haul in the first place - the Zoeva 109 Face Paint Brush. Chiseled cheekbones, here I come! Last year, I got my hands on the NARS Tahiti Bronzer - a set that included the famous Laguna bronzer and a mini-size of their highly coveted Ita Kabuki brush. I lusted after the Ita brush for years, but decided to splurge $59USD for the Tahita Bronzer set with bronzer and brush instead of just the full-sized brush with the longer handle at $55USD. A much better deal in my opinion! With the Zoeva 109 brush priced at $157HKD (about $20USD), I just had to see for myself if the two brushes were comparable, or better yet, if they were similar enough to be dupes.

NARS Ita Brush | Zoeva 109 Face Paint Brush

Both brushes have the same flat, square-shaped bristles - the Zoeva 109 is denser and more firmly packed compared to the NARS Ita brush, which has longer and more loosely packed bristles. While the 109 is much softer in texture, the Ita brush, which shocked me as quite scratchy and itchy on the face upon initial use, has become smoother and more gentle over time. There was some light shedding for both brushes in the beginning - just a few strands here and there - but they have managed to keep their shape after washing.

After a few months of testing, I have to say that I just can't pick a favorite - I love them both! Cop-out answer, I know. The softer texture of the 109 makes it very pleasant to use on the face, and the shorter, stiffer bristles make for a more precise, controlled blending, and everything looks more diffused and natural. Plus, the rose gold detailing is just icing on the cake. On the other hand, the Ita brush allows for me to really carve out my cheekbones and jawline, and offers a much more intense, defined and fierce contour that the 109 just can't achieve. Perhaps if I had the original Ita brush with the more manageable longer handle, it would've edged out the competition. So while I don't believe these two contouring brushes are exact dupes, they do both perform similarly and are both good investments to make for your brush collection, especially if you're a contour-fanatic like myself. For supermodel bone structure (and in my case, traveling purposes), my choice would, hands down, be the NARS Ita brush. For an everyday, natural born-this-way contour, the Zoeva 109 takes the cake. 

Thanks for reading! I'm done with hauling for a while - get ready for more beauty reviews coming your way!

REVIEW | Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation SPF17

New year, new me! Just kidding - same me, just with a whole lot more reviews!

My recent trip to Tokyo in October not only resulted in a five pound weight gain, but also a beauty gain in my makeup collection. Here are my thoughts on the Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation SPF 17. With a name like that, do you really expect me to leave the store empty-handed?

Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation SPF 17
4000‎¥‎ at Shiseido Japan | $35 USD at Shiseido, Sephora
30ml | 18 shades

Let me first put out a disclaimer that there seems to be two versions of this foundation floating around  - Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation SPF 17 and Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation SPF 18.  My version with SPF 17 seems to only be sold in Japan and comes with a total of 6 shades, whereas the other version with SPF 18 is being sold pretty much everywhere else in the world, and features a total of 18 different shades. Not sure why this discrepancy exists, but what's important is the actual product inside and how it performs, which I'm confident is completely identical. Now that that's out of the way, on to the review!

Shiseido claims that this foundation "cancels out the appearance of redness, blemishes and visible pores without concealing the skin's natural beauty", and that your skin will look fresh and glow with sheer perfection. The word sheer might scare some people off, but it's right up my street. The packaging is pretty straight forward - not at all glamorous but gets the job done - and its compact size makes it great for travel. 

I hypothesized, the very second I squeezed this foundation out onto the back of my hand, that this would be similar to the MAC Waterweight Foundation SPF 30 - and I was spot on. In terms of consistency, finish and wear, these two foundations are pretty much identical dupes. So in the interest of saving time, if you've already checked out my MAC foundation review and liked what you read, then you can stop here and go about your day, because I can already tell you that you'll be a fan of this Shiseido foundation. If you haven't read that review - uh, where have you been? - go take a gander then come back for some comparisons!

Just like the MAC foundation, the consistency of this Shiseido foundation is very thin and fluid, and spreads out over the skin equally as effortlessly. I would say the MAC foundation is a tad runnier while offering a hint more pigmentation and coverage - Shiseido stays true to its name in terms of being sheer. I've tried out both foundations together on multiple occasions - each base on one side of my face - and I can honestly say they look exactly the same on the skin, as if I'm wearing just one foundation all over. If you really wanted to nitpick, my MAC Waterweight Foundation in shade NC20 is a touch more yellow-toned whereas my Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Foundation in shade O20 Natural Light Ochre, while initially more brightening on the face, dries down to be a smidgen darker.

MAC Waterweight NC20 | Shiseido Sheer and Perfect O20

Both foundations are perfect for those no makeup-makeup days when all you want is to even out your skin-tone and look like you're having a good skin day - which is pretty much all I want everyday! They both give the same natural, skin-like coverage that can be built up to an almost-medium, and are equally lightweight and comfortable to wear. I didn't find either to be particularly great at diffusing the appearance of pores, and because both bases dry down to a dewy, satin finish, my oily-combination skin starts looking shiny after just two hours. The Shiseido foundation does seem to have better staying power - just an hour or two more - as I find the MAC foundation to be more easily transferable, and as I mention in that previous review, have experienced firsthand it streaking down my face during the summer months. Fingers crossed this Shiseido foundation doesn't do the same!

So in a nutshell - if you love natural, skin-like bases that don't feel heavy on the skin and are a breeze to apply, you will really enjoy this Shiseido Sheer and Perfect foundation SPF 17. If you already own and love the MAC Waterweight Foundation SPF 30, then there's absolutely no need to splurge on both. If you don't own either foundations and want just one to try out, I would say go for Shiseido purely for the better lasting power and spill-proof, travel-friendly packaging.

Thanks for reading - hope everyone is having a wonderful, positive start to the new year!

HAUL | Sephora VIB Sale

It's officially the last day before 2017 - a very Happy New Year to all of you! I've been having a wonderful Christmas break spending time with family and Riley, just huddled up on the couch watching classics like Home Alone and The Santa Clause while sippin' on hot cocoa. It was Riley's first Christmas with us as well so the highlight has been dressing her up in Santa outfits.. hehe. Dog owners, right?

Before 2016 is over, I wanted to share everything I picked up in the Sephora VIB sale earlier last month - again, I had my order shipped to my best friend's house in the states and she kindly brought everything back for me when she flew home for the holidays. Thanks girl! This time, I really capitalized on the 20 percent off discount and splurged on a few much needed skincare products, while making a conscious effort to minimize makeup purchases - props to me.

Let's start off with all my new goodies! I picked up not one, but two eye creams to add to my skincare collection - the Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate and Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream. Both samples left my eye area smooth and rejuvenated, and also wore well under makeup, so I splurged and got both. Guilty as charged! I also got the Bobbi Brown Protective Face Base SPF 50 after trying a sample my sister gave me, and really appreciated how lightweight it felt on my skin and under makeup. I've always had to mix shades Vanilla and Custard together to use as concealer, so I went ahead and picked up one of the new NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer shades in Cannelle, which thankfully turned out to be the perfect light yellow shade with a peachy undertone for my under eyes. I never had the intention to try out the Beauty Blender Micro Mini, but with such a significant discount I thought, 'why the heck not?'. I can't wait to try these tiny sponges out for concealer as well as detailed contouring and highlighting. The last thing I need in my life is another foundation brush, but the Sephora Collection Pro Featherweight Complexion Brush #90 had overwhelmingly positive reviews - some people even raved that it gave a more flawless finish than the Beauty Blender - so I just had to try it out for myself. After just a few uses, I have to wholeheartedly agree with the masses - softest bristles ever and blends like a freakin' dream.

Sephora Collection Pro Featherweight Complexion Brush #90

As for repurchases - which translates to tried-and-true favorites - I got a new Benefit Erase Paste Brightening Concealer in Medium to replace my old (and quite possibly expired) jar. I also got another trusty Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, my favorite Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, and another backup of the Beauty Blender with a Mini Blender Cleanser Solid. Last but not least, I redeemed my annual birthday gift from Sephora - the Marc Jacobs Birthday Gift including the Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Blacquer 42 and Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang 216. I don't own any Marc Jacobs makeup as of yet, so I'm itching to try these out. Thanks Sephora!

Marc Jacobs Birthday Gift

That's a wrap - thanks for checking out my Sephora VIB haul! I hope that in 2017, I can give you guys more exciting hauls, reviews, first impressions, travel diaries and all that good stuff! 

I'm off to go countdown now - thanks for a great year and see you all in 2017!

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!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream x NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream |
You all know that the only face cream I've used for the past few years is the amazing Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream, but hey, it doesn't hurt to experiment! Especially when it comes to Bobbi Brown products. I remember playing with my mom's Bobbi Brown makeup and skincare products as a kid (without permission, hehe) and now it's time to give it a proper test. Bobbi Brown claims this is a "light moisturizing cream that leaves skin healthy and prepared for a seamless makeup application". Yasss, sounds right up my street! I love the lightweight texture and how it doesn't leave that dreaded greasy film after it absorbs into the skin, leaving it soft and plump - no more dry patches! So yes, it does seem to enhance makeup application as claimed. Unfortunately, I've noticed some texture and clogged pores on my forehead and cheeks after using this for a few days, which has never happened with my Aesop face cream. I can't say for certain this is the culprit, but needless to say I'll be holding off on this for a while until I can give it another fair try just to be sure. For now, I'm sticking to my trusty Aesop cream!

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 |
After trying my luck with the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, it was about time I gave their new(ish) foundation a go. Velvet matte sure sounded like a winner for my oily-combination skin, but I was so wrong. This NARS base is an "oil-free skin tint to protect and perfect with medium, buildable coverage and a soft-matte finish", and it has a whipped, mousse-like consistency that, while much thicker than other bases I own, was easy to spread and blend. The shade Alaska looks a shade too dark on my arm, but actually matches my face nicely. This felt comfortable upon application, but I was distracted by how visibly drying and cakey it looked, particularly around my nose, mouth and forehead. I was hoping it would look better as the day went on. Nope! In fact, I'm just going to come right out and say this was pretty terrible. This looks alright far away, but all sorts of bad close up - cakey, thick, dry, messy, settled into my fine lines (especially my smile lines), and worst of all, it faded incredibly patchy and streaky, to the point where I was self-conscious of talking to people up close! I will say that my dry, parched winter skin probably isn't the best canvas to try this formula on, but nevertheless, this just did not work for me. Shame.

SAMPLE SUNDAY | NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation x Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch

It's all about luminous, radiant makeup for this week's Sample Sunday! Overhyped, or worth the hype? Let's check it out!

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation |
One of my favorite foundations of all time is the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - it's so, so good and seriously worth every stinkin' penny - so needless to say my expectations were through the roof for their new oil-free foundation that claims to deliver full, natural coverage with just one drop for 16 hours. You read that right. The texture is extremely fluid and watery, but it still packs a punch in terms of coverage since it's uber pigmented. This shade Deauville (Light 4) matches my face perfectly. I was initially really bummed out by the finish - it seemed to emphasize all the dry patches around my nose, my chin and even on my cheeks - but I've discovered that this is one of those bases that looks better as the day goes on. The cakiness goes away once you give it time to interact with your skin's natural oils. While it definitely doesn't last 16 hours - it's more like ten - I am impressed at how truly weightless and breathable this feels on the face. But do I like this more than Sheer Glow? No - it's trickier to blend and work with over drier skin. I found that it also easily transfers onto clothes (and my hands) which is a tad frustrating. Overall, I think it loses out to Sheer Glow in every possible aspect (some by just a smidge) and I don't see myself needing this in my collection. Sheer Glow is always the way to go.

Swatched | Blended out

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch |
The Touche Éclat is one of those iconic products that every beauty lover has (or has once had) in their makeup arsenal. Except me. Touted as both a highlighter and a concealer, this YSL cult favorite claims to do everything - erase fatigue, highlight features, conceal dark circles, add radiance, lighten dark spots and so on. YSL even claims that one is sold somewhere in the world every ten seconds! Fo real?! I tried Shade 2 in Luminous Ivory, catered for fair to light complexions with yellow undertones, and applied it on the tops of my cheekbones, on the bridge of my nose, on the inner and outer corners of my eyes and around my mouth. As a highlighter, it works really well - it blends seamlessly into the skin and adds a natural luminosity and radiance. As a concealer, it's not the best - this product is definitely a radiance-over-coverage situation. My first impression of this was simply 'That's it?' and I just can't seem to justify the $42USD price tag for a little brightening and highlighting action that can be duped by more affordable options - Maybelline Dream Lumi, L'oreal Magic Lumi and Clinique Airbrush Concealer just to name a few. Sure, this will probably get the job done better, and if you fancy a splurge, go right ahead! All in all, it is indeed a good product. As for myself, I will not be spending my hard earned moolah on this not-as-magical-as-I-thought golden pen. Sorry YSL.

Swatched | Blended out

So it looks like I won't be adding any new makeup to my collection this week. Ah, shucks...

MONTHLY FAVORITES | May 2016

It's June already. How the heck did that happen?

May was quite a chill and laid-back month for me, and that really reflected in the makeup that I chose to wear. My favorites last month were all products that gave me a very minimalistic yet summery look, and I didn't really fuss over blush, eyeshadow or mascara. I just wanted to have a radiant, glowy complexion and look put together. Wait, I want that all the time..

Chantecaille Just Skin Anti-Smog Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in Vanilla|  

I did a full review on this product last week, but long story short - I love how this applies and how it makes my skin look natural and perfected. It's been my go-to base for everyday (when I'm not directly in the sun - I talk more about my issue with the SPF in the review).

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy: Brighten, Depuff and Smooth in Fair/Medium |

I hauled this recently and have been using it every single morning, without fail. It's the best morning pick-me-up since the applicator is cold and helps you feel awake instantly while helping cover your dark circles (albeit not completely). Works great under concealer and I look forward to using it every morning.

Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Cream Bronzer in 42 Rich Bronze |

I've wanted this cream bronzer for years (seriously) after hearing it was a dupe for the ever-so luxurious Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base. Those who own both attest to the striking similarities in texture, application and finish, and whenever I can save money, trust that I will! This applies as a cream but blends into a smooth, powdery finish. It's great for using on natural days - there's no shimmer or glitter - and warms up the skin without looking like makeup.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Champagne Pop |

This has been the only highlighter I've been reaching for all month. I already raved about it in my haul post, but I'll say it again - this is stunning. The peachy gold shade is so beautiful and flattering and you look like a freakin' Greek goddess in the flesh. Need I say more?

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Super-Translucent Mattifying Powder |

Just because I want to look glowy doesn't mean it's okay to look like an oily mess. This mattifying powder used to be my absolute favorite - before Laura Mericer's Translucent Loose Setting Powder came into the picture - and now I use them interchangeably, with this being a lot less messy than Laura Mercier's jar format. It's very well-loved and for good reason - it has a smooth texture, is invisible on the skin and keeps the areas I want (like my T-zone) shine-free for hours.  

Sonia Kashuk Rich Bronze | Becca Champagne Pop | Soap & Glory Mattifying Powder

NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien |

I got this sample as part of the birthday gift from Sephora last year, and it's a super pretty rose pink, MLBB shade that is perfect for everyday. It's not overly opaque (yet rather buildable, which I prefer) and is really comfortable on the lips. Doesn't last too long on me - only about two hours 'cos I'm always munching on food - but I don't mind reapplying.

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish |

You can't look beautiful and radiant if you have dry, chapped, flaky lips. This is a gentle but effective exfoliating scrub that gets rid of dry flakes (yuck) and makes my lips feel super soft and smooth afterwards. A tip would be to apply this dry, since the crystals slightly dissolve when wet. Also, try not to get this in your mouth, because although it smells amazing - like lemon and brown sugar - I can't say the same for the taste.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Small Tapered Brush |

I hauled this from Target recently with the sole purpose in mind of using it with my highlighters, and it has been perfect for that. The tapered end makes it super versatile - I can also see myself using this to blend concealer, set the under eyes, and even for contouring. Definitely picking up a few more when I get the chance.

Wet n Wild MegaLast Nail Color in 205B Sugar Coat

This is a milky, nude pink shade that has been my favorite nail color for any and every occasion. It makes your hands look so darn pretty and elegant, and helps pull your entire look together (it really does!). I've been wearing this all summer and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. Oh, and did I mention this is $1.99 USD?!

That's a wrap, thanks for reading! 

Here's hoping the month of June lasts a bit longer than May did. Next thing you know, summer with be over and fall will be upon us..

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.