Review: Makeup: Guerlain Radiant blush

Paris B 2 Comments

I never used to look at Guerlain’s blushes for the simple reason that the brand does not excite me. I associate it with older women and the fact that the Guerlain counter at the malls are always quiet and manned by older ladies doesn’t help that image.

However, on a whim, I purchased 2 Guerlain Radiant blushes from StrawberryNET.com a couple of months ago when they were running a promotion. The two I got were Apricot Souffle D’or and Rose Pluie D’or. D’or in French indicates that there’s gold shimmer and I like shimmer in blushes.

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Packaging

The blushes come in a large square case with a beaten gold cover. The bottom that houses the blushes is a clear plastic and the back has a large circle with a colour matching the blush inside and the name printed on it. I guess it makes it easier to locate the colour you want without having to open it up. The case is easy to open and it comes with a brush that I never use anyway. Its always a surprise to me to see that the blush is only half the case. There is 4.5g of product and I find the packaging too bulky to travel with.

Product

I must warn anyone sensitive to fragrance that this product has a very strong fragrance. I find it a tad cloying even if you take a big sniff of the product. However, it goes away after application which is a consolation.

The pigmentation is on the sheer side. Thats good for blushes, as you don’t want to end up with clown cheeks. So, sheer pigments allow you to layer for more colour without going overdone. The shimmer is subtle and it doesn’t give you that disco-ball look.

Apricot Souffle D’or is a peachy apricot colour that gives you a nice glowy healthy look. It looks bright but isn’t really. Since its so light, I’d only recommend this for fair-skinned girls. If you are medium to dark skinned, I’d just avoid it for it won’t show up at all. I’m pretty fairskinned and even I have to layer it a bit. However, after about 2-3 layers I achieve the glowy look which makes it look like I’m not even wearing blush! I fooled myself into thinking it did not work until I got compliments on my blush that day, so I guess it works in a very subtle way.

Rose Pluie D’or is a shimmery plum shade. I swiped this colour at the Guerlain counter and fell in love with it so I bought it. It applies slightly more pigmented than Apricot Souffle and shows up a plummy shade. I made the mistake of testing the shade on my hands only so unfortunately it doesn’t show up as prettily on my cheeks than on my hands. Its still a nice colour though, just be careful not to over do it and use a light hand or you’ll end up looking like you have bruises on your cheeks if you are fair skinned. However, if you are tanned or have medium-darker skin I think this would look lovely on you.

Lasting power was good. I had it on in the morning and it was still there at the end of the day. The powder is finely milled and it goes on smoothly. I did not use the brush that came with it so I cannot tell if its decent enough or not.

Overall Verdict

I’d recommend a buy on the Guerlain Radiant blushes. In fact, I’m eyeing more, but have to restrict myself lest I go overboard! If anything, it’ll be the scent that puts me off. Otherwise its a great product. StrawberryNET.com presently has the Radiant Blushes on offer for US$33 (RM112). I don’t know how much they are at the Malaysian counters, so do check out the price first and only buy it online if its cheaper there. If you are one of those with money to spare in paypal, then why not give this one a shot? Strawberrynet takes paypal and ships worldwide for free 🙂

Pros: Applies sheer and gives glowy look, long lasting

Cons: Expensive, Strong fragrance, packaging is too bulky to travel with

[rating: 4/5]

The bargain hunter strikes again!

Paris B 3 Comments

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All these clothes were the result of a very satisfactory bargain hunting trip to a Giordano warehouse sale. Giordano, a brand of casuals from Hong Kong, has this sale about 2 to 3 times a year to clear their old stock.

Some stuff are pretty old from maybe 2-3 years ago, but are new stock. However, if you aren’t fussy about keeping in fashion with T-shirts and jeans, this is a good time to stock up on your weekend casuals. I love a bargain more than I do looking up to date, so I was happy to pick out loads of stuff. It helps that most of the T-shirts I picked out were of the plain variety and classic designs so they never go out of style.

So, whats the damage you ask? RM155 (approx US$48) for all the clothes pictured above. There are about 40 pieces of clothing in that total so I guess you can say that yes, bargain hunting never got so good. Woohoo!

Review: Makeup: Kanebo Kate gel eyeliner

Paris B 11 Comments

This is a new item from Kate Cosmetics, sub-brand of Kanebo. Actually, its not entirely new. It was launched in Japan early this year – Jan/Feb 2007 and is now already available in Hong Kong. I guess it’ll take a while before it reaches our shores. Mine was courtesy of a good friend from Hong Kong who sent it to me.

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The Kate gel eyeliner comes in a little glass pot, very similar to that of Bobbi Brown and MAC. However, the pot is smaller and product is less. The great thing about this however, is that it comes with an eyeliner brush!

Yes, every single pot comes packaged in a plastic box with that brush in it. Its a great little brush too. Its bristles are short and flat which is good for lining. The bristles are also very firm but soft. I’d buy this just for the brush alone. You don’t get better brushes elsewhere for as cheap.

My eyeliner is BK-2 which is a black with glitter. You can’t see the glitter in the picture, but once you dig in with the brush, you’ll see it. I’d never used an eyeliner with glitter before which is why I got this one.

The colour is good. A dark black with silver glitter. The glitter wasn’t too chunky, but once or twice, a particle or two did get in my eye which was irritating. So, I’d deduct some points for that. Texture wise, its very smooth and easy to apply. I’d say its great even for newbies, because the brush works really well with the liner.

Compared to my Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner which I use everyday, the lasting power of this one is rather lacking. By the end of the day, about 20% of the colour has faded. This does not happen with Bobbi Brown for me. I don’t have oily lids so most colours stay put. There was also some transference onto my lower lid throughout the day. Nothing dramatic, but not pleasing nonetheless.

There are a few other colours. BK-1 (Flat black no shimmer), BR-1 (Brown) and a dark purple shade. I’d love to check out the other colours when this item finally reaches our shores. I got it for HKD95 (RM42.50). I wouldn’t say its expensive but if I compare it to say Bobbi Brown which retails for RM65 a pot for slightly more product, its actually about the same price. I’m very happy though that an Asian brand has finally come up with a gel liner. Its about time. As the latest T’estimo palette has a great cream eyeliner, I hope to see more of it in Kanebo’s lines in future.

Overall, I’d rank this somewhere in between Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner and MAC Fluidliners. I don’t quite like the fluidliners so that goes on the bottom, and I still stand by my favourite Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners. But as I said, I’d get this just for the brush. I’d use this brush for all my gel liners from now. Its the bees knees and more!

Pros: Great eyeliner brush, long lasting, smooth

Cons: Slight fading and transference, pricey

[rating:4.5/5]

Stila All Over Shimmer Eyes sale – limited time

Paris B 7 Comments

stilaaos

Are you a fan of loose powder eyeshadow? Or maybe you have heard so much about Stila’s All Over Shimmer Eyes loose powder eyeshadow but have not tried them because they cost RM65 for one little tiny pot?

Well, here’s a sale worth running for. Stila’s little pots of eye colour are now only US$7 (RM28) on Strawberrynet.com for a limited time. There are 3 colours available #3 – Lilac as in picture, #8 – Charcoal grey, #9 – Teal/Turquoise.

I have #3 and its a shimmery lilac on the eyes. Its blue toned which is good as it doesn’t make my eyes look puffy or like I’ve been crying as purples are wont to do. If you get it for US$7 its great value for money because the pot is really tiny. If you have to pay full price (US$16), then I’d reconsider.

StrawberryNET.com offers free shipping worldwide and I’ve had great experiences with them. They take paypal so if you have some money from paid posts languishing in your account why not splurge a little on yourself? 🙂

The fun and previews happen on Instagram @parisbmws