Hello, all!
Here is the link to NARS' NEW Foundation Pumps:
http://www.narscosmetics.com/Sheer-Glow-Foundation-C620_makeup_7.aspx
There is no individual page for the pumps yet. You need to select a foundation [I linked you to my NARS favorite - Sheer Glow] and scroll down the page until you see the Liquid Foundation Pump icon. It is $6 [USD] =)
Have fun!
5.31.2010
5.25.2010
CHANEL ROUGE COCO GIVEAWAY WINNER!
Hello, everyone!
I am sorry this took me so long to post. I was, by no means, pulling any tricks. I just wanted to give everyone a fair chance, which meant that it took me a while to read all the entries. What I did not expect, is exactly how long that would take. [My crazy schedule did have something to do with it, though! =(]
But finally, here it is.
The winner ... THE BIRTHDAY MESSAGE
Here is her entry:
Mademoiselle is beautifully made
in the Rouge Coco collection of shades
Mademoiselle, je parle le francais
tres chic, je veut le porter
Elegant and luxurious
Like chameleon that is mysterious
A unique look on everyone
Id like to get my own one
To match my classy, simple style
It would stick with me for a while
With the soft-press click
the cold metal lipstick
Is a definite classic
Mademoiselle looks fantastic
She wrote one of the only poems and it was indeed tres chic. Very simple, which I always prefer!
There were many wonderful entries but this happens to be the one I liked the best. I'm sorry if you don't agree with my decision but there are PLENTY of giveaways to come!
Much love and many thanks for your support and participation,
Rae
I am sorry this took me so long to post. I was, by no means, pulling any tricks. I just wanted to give everyone a fair chance, which meant that it took me a while to read all the entries. What I did not expect, is exactly how long that would take. [My crazy schedule did have something to do with it, though! =(]
But finally, here it is.
The winner ... THE BIRTHDAY MESSAGE
Here is her entry:
Mademoiselle is beautifully made
in the Rouge Coco collection of shades
Mademoiselle, je parle le francais
tres chic, je veut le porter
Elegant and luxurious
Like chameleon that is mysterious
A unique look on everyone
Id like to get my own one
To match my classy, simple style
It would stick with me for a while
With the soft-press click
the cold metal lipstick
Is a definite classic
Mademoiselle looks fantastic
She wrote one of the only poems and it was indeed tres chic. Very simple, which I always prefer!
There were many wonderful entries but this happens to be the one I liked the best. I'm sorry if you don't agree with my decision but there are PLENTY of giveaways to come!
Much love and many thanks for your support and participation,
Rae
5.09.2010
DIOR HydrAction Tinted Moisturizer vs. the NEW Hydra Life Skin Tint
Initial Thoughts: The Hydra Life packaging is sleek but I'm not a fan of the uniform slate blue/grey tone. I didn't mind the color scheme [baby blue tube and white lid] of the HydrAction tinted moisturizer. Dior only made slight changes to the color and condensed text on the back. I purchased the Hydra Life Skin Tint in Shade #1 and it was a bit dark for me. I am NC 20 - 25 in MAC and as obvious from the photos, I use shade #2 in HydrAction's Tinted Moisturizer ;) Hence, the color #1 in Hydra Life's Skin Tint will be too dark for anyone fairer than NC 20. That is unfortunate because the HydrAction range had a Shade #1 that accommodated very fair skin. [You can see swatches below - HydrAction is to the left and Hyra Life is to the right.
The HL Skin Tint covered the redness of my cheeks well but it accentuated the presence of a pimple on my forehead =( That's because the finish of the Skin Tint is a bit reminiscent of vinyl - shiny, in a bad way. If you have enlarged pores or hyperpigmentation, the Skin TInt will work for you. If you, however, have acne or other skin texture issues, avoid the Skin Tint! The HA Tinted Moisturizer, on the other hand, leaves my skin looking silky, semi-matte, and healthy, not shiny. It never accentuated any pimples and covered my red cheeks equally well. It also did not make my face look like an oil slick at the end of the day =) I have to touch-up with powder and blotting sheets constantly when I use the Skin Tint but I only have to powder once mid-day when I am wearing the HydrAction TM.
The active ingredients are almost identical and the SPF has remained at 20. The Hydra Life feels slightly more water-based than the HydrAction TM, which almost reminds me of Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation. HydrAction is very creamy for a TM but both Hydra Life and HydrAction blend seamlessly, without any tugging or pulling of the skin. Hydra Life was named for it's new implementation of plant extracts so it's possible they could have added aloe vera to the Skin Tint. Who knows for sure, though? It could be just an increase in the water ratio! ^^ Regardless, the Hydra Life has a thinner, more runny texture than does the HydrAction TM.
I much prefer the finish of HydrAction. It is only semi-matte for a few hours but it I think only dry-skinned gals could afford the high gloss finish of the Hyda Life. Believe me, I have dry cheeks and an oily T-Zone but I STILL look greasy immediately after application. Oily-skinned girls, BEWARE, of the Hydra Life Skin Tint! Also, the color may appear improved because there is less of a red tone than with the HydrAction TM but once applied to the face, it looks relatively similar in color to the TM.
Verdict: The HydrAction Tinted Moisturizer is still the winner. The Skin Tints have moved up one number in shade so the PPPs have been left in the cold - sorry! =( And I'll have to buy at least one back-up of the HydrAction TM before it's completely gone! Hydra Life really does moisturize my skin well but it leaves a sheer glossy film on my skin, and unfortunately, that makes my dry-combination skin look extremely oily on contact.
So...if you have very dry skin and you would like to give your skin that summer glow, try the Skin Tint!
But if you are like me and your T-Zone, or any part of your face, gets progressively oily throughout the day, you need to stick with Dior HydrAction [or Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer's if you cannot find the HydrAction at your local counters any longer]
If you have further questions, feel free to ask!
P.S. Please note: The trash can with the lid is the EXPIRATION DATE. The number inside is 12, which means 12 months, and off the product goes into the bin! *The symbol to the right is telling you to read the product manual.
The HL Skin Tint covered the redness of my cheeks well but it accentuated the presence of a pimple on my forehead =( That's because the finish of the Skin Tint is a bit reminiscent of vinyl - shiny, in a bad way. If you have enlarged pores or hyperpigmentation, the Skin TInt will work for you. If you, however, have acne or other skin texture issues, avoid the Skin Tint! The HA Tinted Moisturizer, on the other hand, leaves my skin looking silky, semi-matte, and healthy, not shiny. It never accentuated any pimples and covered my red cheeks equally well. It also did not make my face look like an oil slick at the end of the day =) I have to touch-up with powder and blotting sheets constantly when I use the Skin Tint but I only have to powder once mid-day when I am wearing the HydrAction TM.
The active ingredients are almost identical and the SPF has remained at 20. The Hydra Life feels slightly more water-based than the HydrAction TM, which almost reminds me of Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation. HydrAction is very creamy for a TM but both Hydra Life and HydrAction blend seamlessly, without any tugging or pulling of the skin. Hydra Life was named for it's new implementation of plant extracts so it's possible they could have added aloe vera to the Skin Tint. Who knows for sure, though? It could be just an increase in the water ratio! ^^ Regardless, the Hydra Life has a thinner, more runny texture than does the HydrAction TM.
I much prefer the finish of HydrAction. It is only semi-matte for a few hours but it I think only dry-skinned gals could afford the high gloss finish of the Hyda Life. Believe me, I have dry cheeks and an oily T-Zone but I STILL look greasy immediately after application. Oily-skinned girls, BEWARE, of the Hydra Life Skin Tint! Also, the color may appear improved because there is less of a red tone than with the HydrAction TM but once applied to the face, it looks relatively similar in color to the TM.
Verdict: The HydrAction Tinted Moisturizer is still the winner. The Skin Tints have moved up one number in shade so the PPPs have been left in the cold - sorry! =( And I'll have to buy at least one back-up of the HydrAction TM before it's completely gone! Hydra Life really does moisturize my skin well but it leaves a sheer glossy film on my skin, and unfortunately, that makes my dry-combination skin look extremely oily on contact.
So...if you have very dry skin and you would like to give your skin that summer glow, try the Skin Tint!
But if you are like me and your T-Zone, or any part of your face, gets progressively oily throughout the day, you need to stick with Dior HydrAction [or Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer's if you cannot find the HydrAction at your local counters any longer]
If you have further questions, feel free to ask!
P.S. Please note: The trash can with the lid is the EXPIRATION DATE. The number inside is 12, which means 12 months, and off the product goes into the bin! *The symbol to the right is telling you to read the product manual.
4.23.2010
Updated Summer Skincare for Combination Skin
Please note: From now on, I will not able able to address each and every comment. I thank all of my wonderful subscribers and supporters but I cannot invest more time than I already do to my YouTube channel and this blog. Take the time to watch the entire length of my videos and do not ignore all the information I post in the videos and the sidebars. I will not reply to comments and questions if the information you are requesting is readily available.
Also, please refer to my responses to other viewers' comments if you see that I have not answered your question[s]. My academic and personal schedule is incredibly hectic as of late and though I apologize for the convenience, I can't possibly respond to everyone anymore. The amount of time it took for me to reply to each comment thus far will be unfathomable to all of you; I really don't know how I was able to manage it! Nonetheless, thank you for understanding =)
Here is a reader-friendly breakdown, starting with the night-time ritual:
Night Facial Wash:
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil - Fresh [cleanses off heavy make-up]
or Clinique Liquid Facial Soap - Oily [cleanses off moderate make-up]
___________________________
Then, follow with alternating Night Treatments for the Face:
A. Treatment 1 [Tu, Thurs, Sat]: Decleor Aroma Cleanse Tonifying Lotion & Decleor Aroma Night Ylang Ylang Purifying Night Balm
B. Treatment 2 [M, W, F, Sun]: Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads & PTR AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel with the Ole Henricksen Truth Serum & Sheer Transformation, & the OH Invigorating Night Gel as a spot treatment [for large, cystic acne/pimples].
*The flat side of the PTR Pad is used for cleansing. The textured side is used for pore refinement.
*I only apply the PTF AHA/BHA gel where I use the PTR Pad: on my T-Zone!
Don't forget your Daily Eye Night Treatments:
Caudalie Vinexpert Anti-Aging Serum for Eyes and Lips
& Shiseido The Skincare Eye Moisture Recharge Gel-Cream
___________________________
Morning Facial Wash:
w/Treatment 1, use the Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
w/Treatment 2, use the Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser
Morning Pre-Makeup Prep:
Decleor Aromessence Ylang Ylang Purifying Serum [1 Drop]
Decleor Aroma Purete Matt Finish Skin Fluid [Moisturizer - 1 Pump]
Dior HydrAction Visible Defense Hyra-Protective Eye Cream SPF 20
*This product has been discontinued but it can still be found at select Dior counters with left-over
stock. Lancome's Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Cream is a comparable alternative.
___________________________
Mask & Exfoliator - Weekly Use Only:
Decleor Aroma Purete Instant Purifying Mask [Clay Mask]
ExfoliKate by Kate Somerville [I now only use this once a week because I use my Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Wash 3x a week]
*P.S. Cho327, ExfoliKate is gentle enough for teenage acne-prone skin ;)
___________________________
Ineffective Products:
Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging & Antiwrinkle Oil-Control Treatment [aka, a waste of $50 + tax]
*Korres is the most over-rated skincare brand. This is just my opinion but none of their products work for me, though their shower gels do smell nice. Save your money and avoid the hype. I warned you already! =)
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment
*In the summer, I do get an occasional pimple so a spot treatment is nice to have on hand. Sadly, this gentle sulfur acne treatment does not work for me. I will stick to my little sample of the Murad Acne Spot Treatment, which will last me the rest of this year at least, and the OH Invigorating Night Gel.
___________________________
What happened to my Dior Rituel Nuit and other key products in my last skincare video?
The answer is simple. I use different products during different seasons. I haven't stopped using them because they are no longer effective. I will bring them back out when winter rolls around!
Phew. This took forever. Goodnight, everybody!
Also, please refer to my responses to other viewers' comments if you see that I have not answered your question[s]. My academic and personal schedule is incredibly hectic as of late and though I apologize for the convenience, I can't possibly respond to everyone anymore. The amount of time it took for me to reply to each comment thus far will be unfathomable to all of you; I really don't know how I was able to manage it! Nonetheless, thank you for understanding =)
Here is a reader-friendly breakdown, starting with the night-time ritual:
Night Facial Wash:
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil - Fresh [cleanses off heavy make-up]
or Clinique Liquid Facial Soap - Oily [cleanses off moderate make-up]
___________________________
Then, follow with alternating Night Treatments for the Face:
A. Treatment 1 [Tu, Thurs, Sat]: Decleor Aroma Cleanse Tonifying Lotion & Decleor Aroma Night Ylang Ylang Purifying Night Balm
B. Treatment 2 [M, W, F, Sun]: Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads & PTR AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel with the Ole Henricksen Truth Serum & Sheer Transformation, & the OH Invigorating Night Gel as a spot treatment [for large, cystic acne/pimples].
*The flat side of the PTR Pad is used for cleansing. The textured side is used for pore refinement.
*I only apply the PTF AHA/BHA gel where I use the PTR Pad: on my T-Zone!
Don't forget your Daily Eye Night Treatments:
Caudalie Vinexpert Anti-Aging Serum for Eyes and Lips
& Shiseido The Skincare Eye Moisture Recharge Gel-Cream
___________________________
Morning Facial Wash:
w/Treatment 1, use the Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
w/Treatment 2, use the Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser
Morning Pre-Makeup Prep:
Decleor Aromessence Ylang Ylang Purifying Serum [1 Drop]
Decleor Aroma Purete Matt Finish Skin Fluid [Moisturizer - 1 Pump]
Dior HydrAction Visible Defense Hyra-Protective Eye Cream SPF 20
*This product has been discontinued but it can still be found at select Dior counters with left-over
stock. Lancome's Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Cream is a comparable alternative.
___________________________
Mask & Exfoliator - Weekly Use Only:
Decleor Aroma Purete Instant Purifying Mask [Clay Mask]
ExfoliKate by Kate Somerville [I now only use this once a week because I use my Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Wash 3x a week]
*P.S. Cho327, ExfoliKate is gentle enough for teenage acne-prone skin ;)
___________________________
Ineffective Products:
Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiaging & Antiwrinkle Oil-Control Treatment [aka, a waste of $50 + tax]
*Korres is the most over-rated skincare brand. This is just my opinion but none of their products work for me, though their shower gels do smell nice. Save your money and avoid the hype. I warned you already! =)
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment
*In the summer, I do get an occasional pimple so a spot treatment is nice to have on hand. Sadly, this gentle sulfur acne treatment does not work for me. I will stick to my little sample of the Murad Acne Spot Treatment, which will last me the rest of this year at least, and the OH Invigorating Night Gel.
___________________________
What happened to my Dior Rituel Nuit and other key products in my last skincare video?
The answer is simple. I use different products during different seasons. I haven't stopped using them because they are no longer effective. I will bring them back out when winter rolls around!
Phew. This took forever. Goodnight, everybody!
