BB Cream

Save & Splurge: Comparing the Hakuhodo and Chanel Retractable brushes and affordable Mini Travel-sized face brushes

May 15, 2019 Paris B 9 Comments

After my rant about the retractable (but not) brush from Guerlain a few days ago, I was reminded of a reader request. Someone had requested my thoughts on the Chanel Les Pinceaux de Chanel Retractable Highlighter Brush as compared to the Hakuhodo Retractable Brush that I bought as a souvenir from Japan last year.

hakuhodo retractable brush, chanel les pinceaux de Chanel retractable highlighter brush

I’d kept the post at the back of my mind, intending to write about it, but never quite getting round to it for various reasons. Well, let us remedy that today! 😀

As these brushes also make good travel brushes, I will also show you a few other small/mini brushes that I use for travel purposes, or that are portable. They are affordable so stop cringing! LOL! 😀

Left pondering if the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Tinted Sunscreen should be worn as sunscreen or foundation

March 20, 2019 Paris B 6 Comments

A few years ago, I was offered the opportunity to try the Suntegrity sunscreen, which is a mineral sunscreen with broadspectrum UV protection. Being a sunscreen fiend, you’d have expected me to jump at the chance. But I didn’t because it came with a max of SPF30.

I know opinions differ as to how high or how effective anything beyond SPF30 is, but I personally swear by and only use sunscreen with SPF50 and up.

But recently, I was offered a chance to try the Suntegrity Impeccable Skin Moisturizing Face Sunscreen and I said sure, let’s have a go.

It is still a SPF30 sunscreen, so what’s the difference?

The difference is that this was tinted and I could therefore treat it much like makeup. I don’t quite care how much SPF is in my makeup, but naturally, if it was high enough, and protects my skin enough, I’d be happy about it.

Turns out, many people really like this Suntegrity Impeccable Skin tinted sunscreen. Did I? 🙂

How has your makeup preferences changed over the years? How I do my makeup today

March 15, 2019 Paris B 27 Comments

I started my makeup journey with one philosophy : If it’s not seen, how would people know I’m wearing makeup?

Yes, I was not terribly secure in my application nor choice of colours, but I was into sparkles and shimmer, pink blushes and blue eyeshadow, all topped off with a bold lip. I had a lot of leeway in my place of work, and they tolerated it even if I might have pulled off some strange looks back then.

It was about then also that I started paying more attention to makeup, and the different collections that were hitting the stands. This was back in the day when new collections would take about 2-3 months to arrive on our sun-drenched shores. By that time, I’d have read all the reviews from people in the UK and USA about what was good or what to avoid. Helped save me money!

But whenever a new collection popped up with a neutral or brown eyeshadow palette, and muted colours for cheeks and lips, my interest level would drop. Brown? Neutrals? What’s the point of a nude makeup look? I’d scoff.

I cannot tell you when exactly I crossed the line from wearing “bright colourful makeup” to “understated neutral makeup” but I crossed that line quite many years ago when I woke up one day and realised that I was wearing makeup not for anyone, but for myself. The lightbulb went on!

So I’m curious to know if or how your makeup preferences has changed over the years and I’ll show you quickly how I do my looks these days – very quick, very efficient 🙂

The Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint was not love at first sight but I gave it a second chance for happy ever after!

July 30, 2018 Paris B 8 Comments

I tend to take my time trying out products, which frustrates people who ask me what I think of a product the minute I show a new purchase. I can never tell them! LOL! The reason, as this Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint will show, is because sometimes, I like giving things a second chance, if they don’t wow me off the bat. This one didn’t.

I bought this one quite a while ago, because I came across quite a few online raves for it and fell for it like the little sheep I am LOL! 😀 But when I received it, I wasn’t too charmed by it.

The primary reason was because I wasn’t sure what exactly it was. The name Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint implies that it should be just a tint of colour on the skin. So I was expecting something light and sheer. Yet, when squeezed out of the tube, it was thick in texture, quite dry and fairly opaque. I was very confused so I set it aside.

I came back to it now and again, but never really took to it. It wasn’t until fairly recently, that I rediscovered it in my foundation drawer, decided to have another go, and suddenly, I was in love with it! 😀 It comes down to technique and expectations.