TOP 10 | Spring Skin Care Must-Haves feat. Sunday Riley, La Mer, Sulwhasoo, and more!

Spring is the perfect time to update your skin care wardrobe. I have never tested so many new foundations and skin care products before, ever — which is saying a lot considering how many products I test every quarter — so my complexion has been congested and dehydrated and requires more TLC than usual. I've also been suffering from breakouts on my chin, so today's video will cover all varieties of skin care treatments! Because I am getting older and now fully understand all aspects of the arduous acne struggle, I take skin care very seriously. I never recommend or even feature something that I did not personally try, use, and feel is worth recommending.
Hence, the power players that I will be sharing today are some of the very best in their respective categories. I highly recommend you give them a try! Call my sister Patricia at Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach at 949.220.3366 if you need guidance with La Mer products. She can help you pick products that are suitable for your skin type and concerns, and there is no pressure as she does not work on commission. Plus, there will be a special (non-sponsored) giveaway launching on my Instagram page tonight, so please stop by to check it out!

Products Reviewed:

Sunday Riley Good Genes

Mentioned: Chanel Le Weekend

La Mer Lifting Contour Serum

La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream

Skinceuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50

Sulwhasoo Snowise Spot Serum

SK-II Repair C Serum

Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage Massage Milk

Koh Gen Do Oriental Plants Lotion I

Mentioned: Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton

Shu Uemura Blanc:chroma Cleansing Oil

Colleen Rothschild Charcoal Detox Mask

Mentioned: Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Clay Mask

Mentioned: GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Mask

Nails:

Louboutin Python Trio

Makeup Worn:
YSL Glossy Stain in 203 Corail

Please CLICK HERE for all other details

Shirt:

J.Crew (old)

Earrings:

Chanel

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My TOP 5 Cleansers featuring TATCHA, Clarins, SK-II, Laneige, and Sulwhasoo

I have received several inquiries asking which cleansers I use, so here is a round-up review of my Top 5 picks! These are on heavy rotation, meaning I use them interchangeably depending on my mood and skin's needs.

I have been using the SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser ($70 USD) almost every day in the mornings for the past several months. I purchased my first bottle several years ago and am glad to have started using it again. I recommend applying it with very little pressure using the meat of the fingertips since this is so effective that there is no need to rub it in or tug at the skin. It leaves my skin feeling conditioned and smooth yet perfectly clean. I highly recommend it for those with acne-prone skin because it does not irritate blemishes. I adore the subtle rose scent and a little goes a long way, so each tube will last me six months or more! I recommend using a pearl-sized amount every time. The foaming effect should be light and milky, so avoid using more to amp up the bubbly lather.

My friend Leanne introduced me to the Clarins Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser ($35 USD), and I am in love! I soak a Shisiedo cotton pad with it and wipe down my face and neck. The refreshing sensation and the scent of the peach essential water in the formula wakes me right up! Now, do keep in mind that I never ever use this on my eyes or in the evening. I reserve this for mornings when I am too tired to wash my face using SK-II's cleanser.
NOTE: If this cleanser doesn't sound appealing, try the Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, which is truly the best for all skin types because it does not disturb the skin's natural moisture balance. I love the invigorating orange scent and have repurchased it multiple times over the span of four years.

Sulwhasoo is one of my must-have skin care brands. Everything I have tried thus far, I love. The Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Ginseng Exfoliating Gel ($60 USD) is technically a wash-off mask but the instructions direct you to use it like a cleanser, so I use it in the mornings twice a week. I rub it on in circular motions for two to three minutes and rinse it off. Despite hyperpigmentation and texture issues from my unfortunate bout of cystic acne last year, my skin still feels soft and supple. After using this Exfoliating Gel, however, my skin feels baby soft and also looks more plump! You can use this after washing your face at night if you prefer — as a mask like its intended use — and I actually recommend that if you have combination to oily skin.

My Holy Grail evening cleanser is the TATCHA Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48 USD). It feels much more like a gel cleanser than a standard cleansing oil, so this is ideal for those who have avoided cleansing oils in fear of clogged pores. The TATCHA breaks down makeup gently and easily and does not require double cleansing. I have used Shu Uemura's cleansing oils for nearly a decade — the Ultim8 and Anti-Oxi are best — but I occasionally have to use a foaming cleanser afterward. The TATCHA, however, is very expensive. In comparison to Shu Uemura's Anti-Oxi, the TATCHA is $11 more for the same 5 ounces, so I generally reserve it for filming days when I wear the most makeup. I really love how clean yet comfortable my skin feels after use and that I do not have to follow up with a foaming cleanser. It's a splurge, but I highly recommend this!

The Laneige Multi Cleanser ($22 USD) is the newest addition to this Top 5 line-up. If you like squeaky clean skin, the Multi is made for you! Since it is touted as a makeup remover and exfoliator, I use this mostly at night as the second step to double cleanse after taking my makeup off with a Shu Uemura cleansing oil. This affordable foaming cleanser is intended for all skin types, but I believe it suits normal to oily skin best. I avoid using this when my skin is on the drier end, since my face feels a little too tight afterward. Nonetheless, I love the fresh, slightly citrus scent and how well it lathers up with a dime-sized amount.

Another cleanser that I recently started using is Koh Gen Do's Oriental Plants Facial Wash ($45 USD). This hasn't joined my current rotation, but it's an excellent creamy foaming cleanser. It feels a bit more moisturizing than SK-II's but not as drying at Laneige's.

Please do not forget that removing skin care residue as well as oil and makeup build up is essential for clear skin! I feel that many skimp out on cleansers and place very little emphasis on cleansing without realizing the long-term effects that can occur. Skin care is a commitment that does not necessarily show immediate results, so I understand why people would rather spend more on makeup and shoes or bags. Pamper your face, however, and it will help your cosmetics sit better on the skin and even last longer throughout the day! Never sleep with your makeup on, and always remove your skin care in the morning.

Bottom Line: I switch up cleansers very often, but I will and do repurchase all of these featured here!

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May 2014 Favorites [Hits & Misses] feat. Kerastase, 3LAB, Sulwhasoo, Urban Decay + more!

The month of May has flown by! I cannot believe how many products I have discovered through friends and traveling, so I will share some of my new foundation finds with you. Please note, I will compile a comparison review of my cushions as soon as I receive the new Laneige Pore Control version, which just launched (and is only available) in Asia. Many thanks again to my friend Leanne for coming to the rescue! I also have several products I have been using for months now — such as my beloved Mason Pearson brush and 3LAB 'Super h' Serum — that I am glad to finally announce are absolutely worth the indulgence. If you have any further questions regarding the products I reviewed in the video below, please feel free to ask them in the comments section!

A preview snapshot of some of the Favorites posted on my Instagram!

Products Reviewed:

Kerastase Spray À Porter Tousled Effect Spray

Kerastase Lift Vertige Root Uplifting Gel

Mason Pearson Popular Nylon & Boar Bristle Brush [for Long, Normal to Coarse hair]

LAmade Double V-Neck Slouchy Tee in XS

Keepsake Sleepwalker Peplum Top in XS

Laneige 5-in-1 BB Cushion in Light

3LAB Aqua BB in 2 Medium

Sulwhasoo Evenfair Perfecting Cushion Foundation in 25

Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation in 113 [Favorite new HD Foundation]

Cle de Peau Concealer in Beige

3LAB 'Super h' Serum Age-Defying Serum

Sulwhasoo Snowise Exfoliating Gel

Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

Urban Decay NAKED Flushed Cheek Palette in Native [Tutorial HERE]

Kiss Me Heroine Make Eyelash Fixer [Glue]

Makeup Worn:

SK-II Stempower Cream Foundation in 420

Cle de Peau Concealer in Beige

Chanel Vitalumiere Powder in 20

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in 02 Terra

Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil in 204 and Holder

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Silk Eyeshadow in 9

Kevyn Aucoin The Eyeshadow Duo in #207

By Terry Ligne Blackstar Eyeliner in Black

Guerlain Maxi Lash Waterproof Mascara in Black

NARS Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Via Veneto

Giorgio Armani Cheek Fabric Blush in 507

Bourjois Lip Velvet in 05 Ole Flamingo

YSL Gloss Volupte in 206 Fuchsia Oran

Velour Lashes in Oops, Naughty Me

*Use promo code RAEVELOUR to receive 15% OFF

Tee:

LAmade Double V-Neck Slouchy Tee in XS

Nails:

Dior Gel in Wonderland

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Shu Uemura x Mika Ninagawa Spring 2014 'Forbidden Fruits' Collection Review + Photos

Shu Uemura has partnered up with renowned photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa for yet another creative, colorful collection. Mika created four new images and designs for this Spring 2014 collection — all inspired by the artistry of Shu Uemura. The four wonderlands Forbidden Fruits, Singing Forest, Curiosity & Melting Sweet Dreams were used for the packaging of the brand's cult products as well as for some of the limited edition shades. Discover the product details after the jump!

Shiseido Benefique Skin Care Review + GIVEAWAY

Shiseido released a brand new skin care collection called Benefique earlier this year, and it is targeted at 20 and 30 year olds to boost skin's health and prevent signs of aging. The finest Asian botanical ingredients meets Shiseido's cutting edge science that boosts skin's inner strength, and revitalizes its outer beauty. Formulated with energizing nutrients like Tiger Lily root extract, Angelica root extract and Ginseng extract, Benefique delivers ideal solutions directly to skin. Check out the individual product reviews and enter the giveaway after the jump!

Shu Uemura Anti-Oxi Cleansing Oil Review, Photos

Makeup removal is a nightly ritual. I never forget to cleanse my face, regardless of the circumstances. I truly believe this habit has helped to keep my skin resilient over the last decade of makeup use. I recently switched up my routine and began using Shu Uemuera's Anti-Oxi cleansing oil to remove all my makeup and boost my skin's clarity. The anti-oxidation and anti-pollution formula helps rejuvenate skin to leave it smooth, radiant and youthful. My skin does look less dull and less yellow in the evening, which means the Moringa Extract must be working!

I discovered Shu Uemura when I was 18 and have used the brand's cleansing oils ever since. I have been most dedicated to the Fresh formula, despite the reformulation. In the last two years, however, I have tried all variations of Shu Uemura's cleansing oils as well as other brands. I have discovered that no other brands' cleansing oils can compete with Shu Uemura's on my skin. Those who have watched my YouTube video reviews since 2011 are well aware of this fact.

Now, I absolutely love how bright the green bottle of the Anti-Oxi cleansing oil is because it is easy to spot on my cluttered bathroom counter. Rest assured, the oil itself is clear and not neon green. Shu Uemura recommends 3 to 4 pumps per use, and that is plenty on my completely made up face. This means I can remove my eye and lip makeup as well as my foundation in one step with a handful of cleansing oil. I use only 2 pumps when I am wearing just base makeup.

I find that the Anti-Oxi oil has a thinner texture like my Fresh Cleansing Oil. It isn't quite as thin as the Fresh, though, making it more cost-effective and user-friendly on those with drier skin types. The Ultimat8, A/O, and Whitefficient are a bit richer in consistency, so I find those are best on my skin during the winter or when I am traveling. I have normal skin, and the Anti-Oxi feels soothing and foams up so well once emulsified.

The Anti-Oxi cleansing oil is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin and has been ophthalmologically and dermatologically tested for safety. Since it has been allergy tested and is also non-comedogenic, I highly recommend this is the cleansing oil that all novices and pros try first. I love this so much, my friend brought me back a full-size 450mL bottle from his trip to Asia. You can purchase it now through Shu Uemura (shipping to US is free with a purchase of $50 or more).

Check out the Facebook contest HERE for a free sample of Anti-Oxi, and don't forget to stock up on your favorite Shu Uemura cleansing oils with the promotional 10% off coupon code RAESHU (non-commission).

Bottom Line: The Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil has officially replaced the Fresh formula in my everyday routine!