Astalift Whitening Lotion

During my stint at the previous magazine, I had heard about Fujifilm’s entry into Singapore, I did have my usual oh they make cameras and stuff reservations but surprisingly I took a gamble with my Wallet and purchased this Astalift Whitening Lotion as part of my seasonal whitening phase.

Tell me all about it please…
Lightweight in texture, this oranged hued (similar to all Astalift products) lotion helps soothe and alleviate inflammations caused by UV rays. With extras like the signature Astaxanthin, collagen, Hyaluronic Acid. It plumps up skin with moisture while Arbutin gently brightens out skin tone. It also soothes sun burnt /sun irritated skin.

Why do I love it?

Now, to set the record straight. This to me is not a toner as it feels quite thick( like a slightly watered down cousin of the Hada labo lotion). I normally pat a fifty cent amount of this onto my face before my usual serum ( who am I kidding, it’s serums). Quite a skin plumper, it does penetrate skin quickly and I do feel that my serums penetrate quicker whenever I use this. As for it’s brightening benefits, perhaps the glow i experienced after this was more of  hydration glow as it leaves skin looking brighter but not shades lighter. No worries about orange hue as it goes on clear without a visible trace.

 Verdict:

Recommended for those seeking an additional skin prep, this lotion does a great job in brightening, conditioning the skin for the products that follow while plumping out and hydrating the skin.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Astalift Whitening Lotion, S$78, 150ml at the Astalift Shop @ Centrepoint

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Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation SPF 12 PA+

I have oily skin, dreadful but true, other then piling on the mattifying primers (I never use oil blotters as I tend to have this morbid fear that blotting encourages secretion), I tend to let my greasy self go till the end of the day, only till knockoff time will I reach for this Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation in a bid to refresh and degrease myself.

Tell me all about it please…
Created to reduce shine while giving skin a radiant, diffused look, this creamy powder can be applied wet or dry and is totally buildable depending on how much coverage is required, without leaving you with that pasty caked up look.

Why do I love it?
Perhaps it’s the chic black glossy case (sold separately at S$22??? It’s old age again I swear), I really felt like tossing it down the aisles of the bus with this as it seems like the chicest thing to be seen flying out of my bag. Jokes aside, I normally apply this with a big powder brush as I find it gives off a slightly natural finish (Sheer…ladies..) when paired so. Plus, it seems to contain reflective pigments that give my pores a slightly blurred effect. Quite lightly textured, it did not cause any awful breakouts.

 Verdict:
Quite a good foundation that staves off the grease, I have been using shade “Warm Neutral”. Recommended if you are desire a light and sheer yet healthy look.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Bobbi Brown Illuminating Finish Powder Compact Foundation, Retails at S$64, Case retails at S$21 (checked with a pal), available at all Bobbi Brown Outlets.

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Lady Gaga Fame Perfume

Hello Groomies, just a flash review on the new Lady Gaga Fame perfume (which I laid my well manicured paws on). It’s really quite a work of art this perfume as I find myself quite liking it.

Tell me all about it please…
A first of it’s kind; this black fluid coloured eau de parfum turns invisible once spritzed upon the wearer. With an exclusive push and pull technology, Fame deviates away from the usual top, middle and bottom notes structure, in it’s place, it adjusts itself according to the wearer’s chemistry to give off 3 different moods like Dark (Belladonna notes), “Sensual” (Honey, Saffron and Apricot) and “Light” (Tiger Orchid and Jasmine Sambac notes).

Why do I love it?
In true Gaga style, I am in love with the futuristic yet elegant packaging of the scent. The golden looking claw certainly offsets the dark and mysterious black perfume giving it that “Gaga Oo Lala” sense of luxury. On the first spritz, Fame does go on rather floral and fruity (like apricots or something) but it does alter itself once it settled on my skin. On me, I seem to have gotten the “Sensual” mood of the perfume as I detected notes of honey and floral vanilla. (On my bestie however, he smelt rather “Dark”, kind of like a spicy and darker heady floral).

Verdict:
It’s quite a unique experience wearing “Fame”, I could muse about how fun it is to spritz it on different individuals to sniff out the unique moods this gives off. Lasted a good 5 hours on me, I could still detect a hint of floral vanilla at the end of the day. However, do avoid spraying this on white or light coloured clothes as it does stain it a slight yellow.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Lady Gaga Fame, S$55 (30ml), available at all Sephora Outlets Islandwide.

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Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream

I was doing my usual Cardio/Shopping along Orchard the other day when I nearly had a cardiac arrest in my excitement, yes, Tangs has brought in Sulwhasoo, one of Korea’s luxury herbal skincare lines to our shores. This means I’ll be able to get my usual Sulwhasoo Firming Cream without the usual beg-a-pal route.

Tell me all about it please…
Used as a final step in the Sulwhasoo regime, this cream moisturizer nourishes skin by detoxifying it with Adlay Millet (that’s Jobs Tears for those who know it by another name). While Pomegranate and Gingko Bibloba Leaf extracts plump up skin’s natural density to promote tighter-looking contours thus reducing the look of saggy damaged skin.

Why do I love it?
Everything feels like money when you purchase a Sulwhasoo product, gorgeous soft matte packaging, and the firming cream feels heavier and weighty (packaging whore approves!). Smells slighty tangy and citrusy, it comes with a spatula to fish out the lush and thick cream (which emulsifies easily when I warm it in my palms prior to applying it on my face). Has a good slip, it applies on the skin with minimal tugging and absorbs quite nicely without a greasy thick film. I normally press this on with the palms of my hands, very ritualistic and holistic I know.

Verdict:
I’m on the 2-month mark with this and I quite like it as it does give skin a tauter yet tighter feel. A little goes a long way with this one, as I still find myself with a good half a tub of this left. Provides adequate hydration too as I find that I don’t wake up greasy after a night’s rest. Will repurchase definitely.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Sulwhasoo Firming Cream, S$108, available at Sulwhasoo CK Tang Orchard.

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Clarins Double Serum [Hydric + Lipidic System] Complete Age Control Concentrate

Hello groomies, I’m back incase you’ve all been wondering where the hell I’ve disappeared to…(ps thanks for all the emails I’ve been receiving titled along the lines of “Where have you been bit*h? I genuinely feel the love…”), I have been reviewing some newer items hence the lag in reviews. It’s called dedication to my craft you see… But I digress.

 

Ah yes, I have been using this Clarins Double Serum [Hydric + Lipidic System] Complete Age Control Concentrate (It was a impulse splurge) but yes! It’s new and it’s finally available on our shores (look away! Or for those with iron will power and big pockets, read on below!).

 

Tell me all about it please…
Mimicking the model of the hydrolipidic film (the layer of water and oil covering the surface of the skin), this dual water and oil formulation serum is easily absorbed by the skin, delivering potent ingredients to stimulate 5 major age defying functions:

01. Hydration:
With Katafray, Cangzhu, Hyaluronic acid, Burdock and Mallow extracts, skin’s comfort and softness level is preserved.

02. Nutrition:
Kiwi, Cangzhu, Perilla and Macadamia extracts help skin regain suppleness and tone.

03. Oxygenation:
Musk rose, Cangzhu (again!), Maritime pine, Arnica extracts help skin regain its optimal radiance.

04. Regeneration:
Green Tea, the herb that starts with Cang and ends with Zhu (see above), Pistachio and Oxydendron extracts prevent   signs of skin aging

05. Protection:
Green Banana, C.Z (Cangzhu), Avocado, Lemon Thyme and peptides preserves skin’s firmness, smoothness and density.

Why do I love it?
This lightly scented serum ( Tangy and essential oil-ish  yet with a slight hint of banana (must not lick..must not) ) — comes packaged in a chic yet simplistic double pump bottle (loving the clear and gold accents)which allows the two serums to be mixed together upon application. Definitely one of the fastest penetrating serums I ever used, no hard patting was required as it settles into the skin very quickly as I smooth it over the skin surface. Immensely hydrating, it left my skin feeling comforted with a slight film of moisture without being heavy on my combination/congested skin.

Ps: if you warm your hands and palm your face with them, it seems to bring out a natural soft glow and radiance (perhaps this method allows the serum to go deeper in the skin.)

Pros:
• Great for hydration lines — this plumps them out
• Evens out skin tone with a radiance
• Skin feels tauter and voluminous

Cons:
• None so far…

Verdict:
Recommended for Advance level anti-aging practitioners, this dual soluble serum will leave gaunt and tired faces looking well rested and somewhat fresher. Best paired with the Shaping Facial Lift for a more lifted and alert appearance.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Clarins Double Serum [Hydric + Lipidic System] Complete Age Control Concentrate, S$118 at all Clarins counters.

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Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Lipo–drain serum

Selamat Hari Raya my muslim friends! Now I know that it’s a month of feasting and festivities but put your best face forward with this Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Lipo–drain serum. Honestly, I am tempted to say, “screw all the previous facial shaping serums I’ve ever tried”, as this truly is the Crème de la crème of shaping serums.

 

Tell me all about it please…

When combined with the Clarins Contouring Facial Lift Method, this serum restores heavy (droopy and slack) facial features back into their refine state thanks to ingredients such as garcinol, caffeine and butcher’s broom extract.

Why do I love it?

Quite lightweight and smooth in texture, I liberally pumped 2 servings of this and warmed it up between my palms. It’s pretty heavily scented (the usual Clarin’s scent, for those in the know). Absorbs quickly (which is always good, I mean who loves a serum that’s a pain in the BEEP* to sink in), I noticed a slightly tautened and alert self-looking right back at me. Seriously, this ticks all the boxes my instant gratification whore can throw at it. Plus, it did not break me out which simply sent me stocking up on this (there is another tube in the drawers of desire as a backup).

Verdict:

Recommended for those puffy, anal water retentive days where you look and feel bloated. This serum encourages lymphatic drainage while giving droopy cheeks and chins that much needed lift. While it works wonderfully like a bra for a slightly less firm face, I do find that I need to layer another moisturizing serum over this as it’s not hydrating enough for me.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Lipo–drain serum, S$103 at all Clarins counters.

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Laneige Multi Function Mascara

It’s photo byline week at the paper… and I’ve been trying out a variety of barely there looks on myself to look picture perfect. Apart from a last minute attempt to brighten up my very tanned self, I decided my eyes needed a little oomph too, something to open them up a lil if you get what I mean. Enters the Laneige Multi Function Mascara.

Tell me all about it please…
A multifunctional mascara, it possesses the ability to lengthen lashes while keeping them separate from each other. Also, it promises to hold a curl while doing all the above too.

 

Looking au naturel at 2 coats…..

Why do I love it?

Apart from giving me the most defined lashes ever, 2 coats of it was all I needed to open my eyes without any guy-liner. I do admit I am in awe of its formulation as it glides on effortlessly without those horrid clumpy blotches. Quite apt in building up volume, this works great to define and bring out those invisible lashes. Also, its pretty quick and easy to remove too with makeup remover compared to the usual whiny routine.

While 4 coats adds that lengthened and falsie effect…

Verdict:

Recommended for those who hate the idea of wearing falsies, 2 coats of this gives natural lashes the much needed definition and volume while a generous coating of this will make a drag queen nod her head in approval as it does give lashes the vavavoom effect. Lasts quite well too, as I went through a whole day without it budging or smudging.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

Laneige Multi Function Mascara (I honestly forgot how much I paid… it was like around S$30 something) at all Laneige counters.

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