I received this Lancôme Auda[city] in London palette last month, and I believe it is still available in counters here in Singapore, even though it was released in the US last fall.  This is a large palette, almost too large to be held in 1 hand, and contains 16 x 1gm full-sized eyeshadows.  Inspired by the streets of London, this palette feels distinctly urban, boasting cool, metallic hues.

Lancôme Auda[city] in London feels generally cooler in tone than its predecessor (the Auda[city] in Paris palette), but is the same shape and size.  There is a generous-sized mirror on the inside of the lid, and a dual-ended brush that works fairly well.  The cover is printed with a graphic of the London skyline in grey.

The palette contains 16 new limited edition eyeshadows, and is composed around 4 color families – orange, purple, green, grey.  Each color family features 3 matte and shimmery eyeshadows, and 1 special metallic pigment that may be used as a top coat or on its own.

I swatched these by their color families, running from left to right of the palette, incorporating the metallic pigment arranged horizontally at the bottom of the palette into each group of colors.

From left to right, the shades are:

• Midnight Haze [bottom left] – metallic orange copper with golden glitter
• Queen’s lace [top left] – matte ivory that has difficulty showing up against my skin tone
• Trenchcoat [2nd from left] – pale barley brown with a soft matte finish
• Woody Bar [3rd from left] – light medium orange with a matte finish
• Rich History [4th from left] – light medium muted lavender with a satin matte finish
• London Is Callin’ [5th from left] – medium warm-toned purple
• Purple Queen [6th from left] – dark purple with violet, turquoise and silver micro-shimmers
• Garden Rose [bottom 2nd from left] – medium purple with silver glitter

Continuing onto the right half of the palette:

• Soho Lights [bottom 2nd from right] – light greenish-silver with chunky silver glitter and a semi-transparent base
• Fresh Garden [6th from the right] – light moss-green with a pearl finish
• Misty Morning [5th from right] – dark olive green with a satin finish
• Steel [4th from right] – medium silver with a slightly warm-toned sooty finish
• Rainy Afternoon [3rd from right] – medium cool-toned silver with a metallic finish
• Purple Pageantry [2nd from right] – is a misnomer as it is entirely dark grey with no purple in sight!
• Midnight Purple [right most] – is another tease because it is a dark black
• Tower Bridge [bottom right] – brightened silver

I read a particularly bad review of this palette online, but I personally did not feel this was a bad palette at all.  Some of the metallic pigments had a somewhat translucent base and worked better as a topper than on their own, and naturally with shades like these you need some form of fixer to keep it in place; but other than that I felt the Auda[city] in London palette was on par with the other Lancome eyeshadows.

I thought I might create eye looks for each of the 4 color families, but then I got distracted by other new things, and I thought you’d get bored too.  So instead, I created 2 separate day and night eye looks.  For this day look, I used the orange color family, sweeping Woody Bar over my entire lid, followed by Trenchcoat on the crease and outer corner.  Finished by patting Midnight Haze on the center of my lid, and a little Queen’s Lace on the inner corner of my eye.

Clearly this is a warmer look, and so I paired it with Lancome L’Absolu Rouge in Caprice [reviewed here] on the lips.

For the evening look, I kept things casual without going too high up on the lid and overly heavy, but you could do so of course.  I started with London Is Callin’ all over the lid, and Purple Pageantry on the outer corners.    Finally, I patted some Garden Rose on the center of the lid, and popped some Tower Bridge on the inner corner.

This look paired really well with the L’Absolu Rouge in Rose Lancome!

Overall, Lancome Auda[city] in London is a lovely palette with lots of options to choose from and easy to work with.  I think cooler/medium – toned ladies may enjoy this palette more, but if it entirely a matter of preferences.  The palette is a good size, easy for working with at home with a desk or for a client, but not quite as handy for traveling.  It is limited edition though, so check it out while you still can!

_{This post featured a product that was kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post Lancome Auda (city) in London Palette appeared first on Silverkis' World.

Spring is in the air!!  If there was ever a “spring” collection (read: pastels) that I was looking forward to, it was this Lancome Absolutely Rose Collection for Spring 2017!  But of course, you’ve all seen that gorgeous rose highlighter that has been instagrammed to death.  Alas, I was not fated to get hold of it despite my best attempts, and I consoled myself with the rest of the collection… which as it turned out, was truly beautiful individually!

Most of the pieces in this collection are adorned in pretty pinks and rose gold, a color scheme that is designed to appeal to every girl’s heart strings.  I always tend to reach for the eyeshadows first, so naturally, let’s start with the Lancome La Rose Palette!

By now you should be familiar with Lancome’s 6+3 palette, a nifty and efficient design that I’ve come to really appreciate.  The 6 eyeshadows in this La Rose Palette are arranged according to 2 sets of eyeshadow trios – pink/beige on the left, green/silver on the right.  And on the extreme right of the palette resides 2 cream colors for lips (and possibly cheeks if you are so inclined) and 1 lip balm/light gloss.  These are cleverly protected from dust and powder kick-up (not that I experienced any) by a metallic swing lid.  Even the dual-ended brush is of a good quality, and I actually found it useful at applying makeup.

As you can see, La Rose Palette is generally cool-toned and comprised of a good mix of light pastels and dark defining shades.  The corresponding swatches for the eyeshadows are as follows:

From left to right, the shades are:

• Pale beige with just a hint of peach, and a soft matte finish.  This shade blends right into my skin, and is best suited as a subtle brow-bone highlight.
• Medium cool-toned brown with violet and pale gold micro-shimmers
• Pale pink with a matte finish
• Pale mint green with a a frosty finish
• Medium silver with a slight translucency in the base
• Soft black with a touch of violet and pale golden micro-shimmers

The lip colors are mainly a creamy soft satin finish.  I swatched them above for your reference, but these shades wear very well, and would look lovely as a two-toned ombre.

There is an illustrated instruction on how to wear La Rose palette stuck on the mirror, but you don’t really have to pay close attention to it because the way the shades are designed, it’s really intuitive, and you can’t go wrong anyway!  Personally, I like to apply the lighter shade all over my lid, and create some dimension by blending the darkest shade on the outer corner and into the crease.  Thereafter, I try to pat some shimmering shade on the middle and inner corner for a bit of pop.  A dark liner and loads of mascara always helps to enlarge my small Asian eyes.

In case you are not feeling like splurging on an entire palette, there are a number of Lancôme Ombre Hypnose Stylo that you can choose from to supplement your existing makeup wardrobe.  I always like eyeshadows in the form of pens, and these are no exception.  They’re creamy and smooth, and surprisingly long-lasting (waterproof even!).

There are 4 new shades to choose from, and the one I have here is No.23 Rose Pastel, which is a soft lilac.  The pointed tip allows this stylo to be used as a liner, and even reach the inner corner as a highlighter.  It twists up and down, so you don’t have to worry about sharpening.

If brightening and opening up those sleepy eyes are a priority, consider picking up the Lancôme La Crayon Miracle in a new pearlescent white shade.  This is creamy and smooth, but goes on and stays on!  Great for the waterline as well!

Lancôme keeps shaking things up with new lip offerings, and this season we have these gorgeously sleek Lancôme Parisian Lips Le Stylo.

The design of these is absolutely stunning imho, the metallic rose gold with the respective color shades denoted in an easy to tell band around each end is brilliant.  These are dual-ended lip colors, with 1 side featuring a sheer cream color, and the other side containing a powdered lip pigment.  Although designed to create ombre lips, I found the colors on both ends to match up so the effect is not as distinct when worn.  Layering both together throughout creates an opaque and long-lasting matte lip.

I have 3 out of the 4 available shades to show you, and they are:

1. Bonjour Bonheur – medium pink that has a perfect balance of red and blue
2. Rose Mon Amour – deep raspberry
3. Je M’Appelle Rose – light-medium cool-toned pink with lots of blue base

In this makeup look, I am wearing Parisian Lips Le Stylo No.1 Bonjour Bonheur on my lips.  I do have to caution to remember which cap belongs to which end of the stylo, because the powder pigment end contains the pigments inside the cap, whereas the cream lip color does not fully retract into the tube.  I thoughtlessly smushed a pigment cap onto the tip of the cream lip color, and essentially ruined the entire stylo.

Also featuring the green part of La Rose Palette on my eyes.  Here is a closeup:

I’m not usually a fan of pastel makeup, but this season’s Absolute Rose Collection shows up well on my skin, and they all perform beautifully.  Lip pigments are all the rage this season, and if you are looking to pick up some, definitely check out the Parisian Lips Le Stylo because their creamy lip color end make them more versatile than outright pigments.

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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Just not too long ago, I was professing my love for all things non-matte when it comes to lippies, but today I am going to make an exception for Lancome’s new Matte Shakers!

A couple of months ago, I reviewed a bunch of liquid lipsticks [see here], and I thought I had settled on my favourite, never thinking that I would change my mind so quickly.  The new Lancome Matte Shakers are formulated with a water-in-oil emulsion that feels as thin as water, and yet it is able to hug the curves of the lips and adhere smoothly without drying out my lips.  Lancome uses a patented Ultra Thin Film technology to deliver a second-skin feel without sacrificing intense color payoff.

The cute short rounded tubes resemble cocktail shakers, and you do have to give these Matte Shakers a good shake to soak the applicators before putting them to the lips.  The pointed dome sponge applicators do a really good job of distributing the product evenly, and covers the entire lip easily in a single swipe without going out of bounds.  I found these so much easier to use than any other liquid lip applicators I have ever encountered, and really encourage you to try them out!

Here is a full makeup look featuring Lancome Matte Shaker in Yummy Pink on my lips.  It is a bright fuchsia that has equal parts of red and blue undertones.  As you can see, coverage is fully opaque.  More importantly, even though the finish is technically matte, it has a soft luminosity to it, and it floats flatteringly over my lip lines!

Here is another full makeup look featuring Lancome Matte Shaker in Magic Orange on my lips.  Interestingly, I usually don’t wear orange lip colors well, but Magic Orange has enough red in it, that it pulls sufficiently neutral-toned to not clash horribly with my skin tone.  I actually love it the more I wear it!

One of the appeals of matte lipsticks is their long-lasting nature, and these Lancome Matte Shakers do not disappoint!  They last as long as most of my liquid lipsticks, though perhaps not the most budge-proof.  I found they survive water drinking and coffee sipping fairly well, but wear away with eating.  What is really fun with these is their ability to be smudged out and rubbed into the lips to create a stained effect.  Since they dry and set very quickly, I am able to go ahead and dab a second color to the center of my lips within seconds, smack my lips together, and walk out with a cool ombre lip!

Whichever way you choose to play with these Lancome Matte Shakers, you can be sure they #bantheboring and bring a whole new level of color fun to your makeup!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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Life has been an emotional whirlwind lately and work has been stressful… add to that lots of air travel, so no surprise my skin has turned as grumpy as I feel inside.  I returned from my last trip with dry, irritated red patches on my cheeks, and decided to break open my bottle of Lancôme Advanced Genifique Sensitive!

I have loved Lancôme’s little black bottle for years [see review here], though admittedly, it never made its way into my arsenal of staples because my skincare is constantly being rotated.  The key ingredient – Bifida Ferment Lysate – helps to manage skin’s equilibrium and soothes reactive skin like mine, protecting sudden flare-ups due to environmental changes.  With the new Advanced Genifique Sensitive, Lancôme has taken things to a higher finesse.

The bottle comes with a blue vial of pure Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E mixed with Centella Asiatica.  At first use, press down on the bottle cap and twist (similar mechanism to medicine bottle caps for children).  This breaks the air-tight vial, releasing the active ingredients into the bottle, and give it a good swirl.  Thereafter, remove the blue vial and replace it with the new dropper cap that comes enclosed in the box.

Both Ferulic Acid and Vitamin E are powerful anti-oxidants, one helping to stabilize the other, and both working to reduce the damaging effects of free radicals causing pre-mature aging.  Centella Asiatica promotes healing and treats skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.  The base concentrate contains a mix of soothing anti-irritants, anti-oxidants and hydrating ingredients.

Similar to the classic formula, the Lancôme Advanced Genifique Sensitive has a lightweight fluid texture and is quickly absorbed into the skin, allowing for layering with other products.  When I returned from my 2-week long multi-city trip last month, my skin was stressed out and irritated, with a large red sensitive patch on my cheek.  After a few days of applying Advanced Genifique Sensitive day and night, the red patch was completely healed, and my skin was generally feeling much more comfortable than before.  As this is designed to be an SOS product to rescue skin in times of stress, each bottle is intended to be used within 2 months from opening.  Correspondingly, the bottles are sized down to 20ml (versus the usual 30ml).  I rather wished it was even smaller, because I don’t anticipate my flare-ups to last 2 months, and I hate wastage.  Regardless, it is nice to know there is something on hand that truly works when my skin is stressed!

_{This post featured a product that was generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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It’s been an amazing year in many ways, and I hope you’ve enjoyed all the product reviews or introductions here on the blog.  Reality is, it takes much more time to write a skincare/bodycare/haircare review than makeup.  On the other hand, I think it is far easier to get through those products, and so I’ve taken to documenting my empties to better speak to my fondness of some of these stuff that never makes it to the blog.  There are way too many to go into detail here, so please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section below!

Skincare:

1. Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Oil [reviewed here] is the 3rd bottle I’ve finished.  I use it mainly to clean up after swatching makeup, and it’s really effective and cheap.  Highly recommended for those looking for an affordable drugstore cleanser.
2. Biotherm Life Plankton Essence [reviewed here] is not as great for eczema as it is marketed to be, in fact it stings on broken skin.  But it does reduce irritation once it settles, and provides an immediate hydration boost.  Not my favourite and will not be restocking.
3. Origins Three Part Harmony Cream-to-Oil Cleanser [reviewed here] is actually a very lovely cleanser that cleanses well without either stripping the skin completely dry nor leaving an oily film behind.
4. Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil [reviewed here] cleanses makeup thoroughly, and rinses off completely without any oily residue.  Not too pricey too, for the quality!
5. Lancôme Advanced Genifique Sensitive [reviewed here] sorted out my stressed skin nicely, but once my skin was back to its original condition, it started breaking me out instead.
6. Chanel UV Essentiel [reviewed here] has one of the highest sun protective factors yet lightweight texture for a physical sunscreen that I’ve tried.  It does leave a slight white cast initially, but when well blended in, it disappears and serves as a very lovely makeup base.  Definitely worth repurchasing!
7. Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening Serum [reviewed here] is lightweight and effective.  It also hydrates skin nicely.  The soft herbaceous scent is also a nice plus.  I was surprised to see this completely finished, and certainly miss it!
8. Clarins Enhancing Eye Lift Serum [reviewed here] is as effective today as it was a year ago at lifting my droopy lids.  I am quite certain there is more than 15ml contained in this bottle as I’ve been using it daily for a year, and twice daily for the last 3 months. Very good value for money!
9. Origins Plantscription^TM Powerful Lifting Neck and Decollete Treatment [reviewed here] is another one that I’m sure contains more than what’s labelled on the bottle.  It moisturises my neck without irritating my sensitive skin, and light enough to be used in the day.

Makeup:

1. YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils Mascara is a classic, one of my personal favourites.  It lengthens without clumping, and does not weigh my lashes down.  Also budge-proof, which is a huge plus for me.
2. Estee Lauder Little Black Primer [reviewed here] – I use this on a daily basis as a lash topper to seal in my mascara so it does not smudge.  This is probably my 3rd tube, and I’ve another 2 more in my stash.
3. Lancome Cils Booster Mascara Base transforms any mascara into bulletproof hold.  Been using this for a year, much longer than I should for hygiene purpose, but I liked it too much to let it go.
4. Dior Addict Lip Glow is a cult-favourite, and I can see why they are so well loved.  However, I personally do not see how it is superior to any other lip balm in the market, and it took me much longer than most other people I know to completely finish this.  Will not be repurchasing because it is so expensive, and I do have plenty more to get through

Haircare:

1. L’oreal Mythic Oil Hair Mask was heavily scented, unfortunately not something that I could get around to embracing.  This is a heavy hair mask, and weighs my hair down with silicons.  Not going to repurchase.
2. Dove Advanced Hair Series Pure Care Dry Oil Conditioner is also another one that is heavily scented and filled with silicons.  Does help sort out my dry tangled hair though, but weighs down the top.
3. Goldwell Kerasilk Reconstruct Shampoo [reviewed here] is another from my beloved haircare range, which I had already raved about several times on past empties post.  I plan to move onto other haircare products in the coming year, just to try out new brands, so I will not be featuring Kerasilk in future posts.  But if you hadn’t already tried this range, I highly encourage you to!

Bodycare:

1. Yves Rocher Olive Oil Shower Gel is really great for those with sensitive or irritated skin!  I used it on my son with eczema, and it cleanses without stripping off the natural moisture on his skin.  Not strongly scented either, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin.
2. Crabtree & Evelyn Goat Milk & Oat Hand Wash is lovely for those with dry, chapped hands.  The light scent is very appealing too, great for the family.
3. Clarins Body Fit is the latest version of the popular slimming product.  Unfortunately, I think my cellulite is far too embedded and severe for this to help.
4. Clarins Body Shaping Cream is something I’ve been applying religiously to my tummy for the past year.  It does not seem to help with my protruding tummy, but it did help lighten the stretch marks.
5. Acca Kappa Calycanthus Shower Gel [reviewed here] has a strong invigorating scent that took awhile to get accustomed to, but eventually grew to become something I quite enjoy.
6. Origins Rituali Tea Cleansing Body Mask [reviewed here] is not really a personal favourite of mine.  The texture is too coarse and dry, and difficult to apply to the entire body without fistfuls falling off.  Decided to throw this one away because it became too hard to get out of the tube and ants started making their way inside.
7. Crabtree & Evelyn Orchard in Bloom Hand Therapy is a limited edition scent of their popular hand creams from last year.  Not my favourite hand cream formula because it does not help my severely dry and irritated hands much, but still lovely for normal people.
8. The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Hand Cream is part of a recently launched range that is really very soothing.  I was sorry to see this one go, but truthfully, it is not as heavy duty as the Hemp Hand Cream.

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Do you change up your routine at the start of each year or season?  Apart from switching up my skincare and color makeup, I also like to update my base makeup to suit my skin condition.  And as we head into March, here are 5 foundations that I have on rotation for the past couple of months.  Even though there are always new releases every season, these 5 have been around for awhile now, and you may even have tried them yourself.  I have picked a range here to suit all skin types and coverage preferences, so hopefully there you will discover some gems today.

The all-rounder: Make Up Store Sculpt Excellence

Make Up Store is a greatly underrated brand with an extensive range of high quality products.  The Sculpt Excellence foundation is one such product that I have really enjoyed.  The only downside to it is the lack of a pump dispenser, but uses a flat spatula applicator instead.  So I usually place an amount on the back of my hand and then return the spatula straight back into the bottle, and then apply with a brush or sponge onto my face.

The Make Up Store Sculpt Excellence is a full coverage foundation that nicely balances the intense pigmentation with a light and easy to blend texture.  I have dry skin and often experience flaking, but a combination and acne-prone condition, so I generally prefer lighter foundations.  Despite that, I found myself really enjoying Sculpt Excellence on days when I need a bit more coverage for my red patches.  Instead of applying it directly to my skin, I sheer it out with a dampened sponge, and then pat on more wherever it is needed.

As you can see from the half-faced comparison shot above, Make Up Store Sculpt Excellence has completely eradicated my dark circles and the redness around my nose.  The finish is a lovely glowy satin that looks natural and dimensional not flat.  There is a good range of shades, especially yellow-toned ones to suit Asian skin.  I am using the shade Cookie here which is a perfect match for me.

For everyday wear: THREE Flawless Ethereal Fluid Foundation

THREE is a relatively new entrant to Singapore, but the Japanese brand has a cult-like following, and the Flawless Ethereal Fluid Foundation is one of the best-loved products from the brand.  With a philosophy focusing on living beautifully, THREE products are formulated without parabens, synthetic perfumes, animal-derived ingredients, and mineral oils.  As with most Japanese makeup, there is a high SPF36/PA+++ sun protection to keep skin looking younger.

Apart from providing good coverage for everyday use, THREE Flawless Ethereal Fluid Foundation contains botanical oils that meld with the skin for a beautiful luster.  The texture is incredibly smooth and light, and coverage is a good medium and buildable.  Because of the oil content in this foundation, those with oily skin may have a problem with it.  Personally, I did not experience any breakouts but I do find shine creeping up on my t-zone after about 5-6 hours’ wear.

For extra-coverage days: Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation

Coming from a skincare brand, Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation naturally contains skin-loving ingredients such as pink algae and other vegetal extracts to boost hydration and skin health.  It gives a medium coverage which can be sheered out or built up as needed.  Light-Optimizing+ Complex and Pink Opal Pigments give a brightening effect to the skin.

This is a slightly thicker fluid foundation that envelops the skin like a cream, and on my dry skin I found it easier to blend with a dampened brush or sponge.  The finish is quite matte, and is probably the most matte of the 5 foundations featured here today.

For sheer, luminous coverage: Lancôme Teint Miracle Foundation

Lancôme’s best-selling foundation was recently upgraded with Universal Light Technology to mirror the natural glow that radiates when skin is under day light.  Formulated with 40% water and reinforced with vegetal glycerin and hyaluronic acid, Lancôme Teint Miracle keeps skin hydrated and prevents lines from forming.  At the same time, the foundation has sebum-absorbing properties to keep from caking up on oily/combination skin.  Rose Extract soothes skin inflammation and nourishes skin, whilst Moringa enhances skin firmness & fights free radicals.

Lancôme Teint Miracle Foundation is lightest in texture of all the 5 foundations discussed today, and is incredibly comfortable to wear.  Regardless, it provides medium coverage that is buildable to a certain extent.  For me, it adequately covers my dark circles and the redness around my nose, but a separate concealer is still needed if I wanted to completely eradicate them.  I love the natural my-skin-but-better glow this foundation provides, and it veils the appearance of pores and lines imperceptibly.

For a matte finish: Kanebo Full Radiance Foundation

Kanebo relaunched the entire brand’s line-up and the makeup range has been reformulated to reflect the skincare philosophy of “chrono-beauty”, which is adapting ingredients according to skin’s differing day/night requirements.  I can always count on the Japanese brands to create shades that flatter Asian skin tones, and Kanebo’s Full Radiance Foundation gives skin a luminosity and does not turn me ashen.

Kanebo’s Full Radiance Foundation is a full coverage foundation with a matte finish that still manages to retain a natural glow.  It completely erases my dark circles and other skin tone unevenness, and still manages to float over my pores smoothly.  As with all full coverage foundations, it does stick to dry flaky skin, but minimally so, and can be better alleviated by hydrating well beforehand.

That’s it, 5 very different, yet individually excellent foundations to explore!  It is easy to get distracted by newer releases, and it has taken me a long time to get this post up for you.  But if you are a foundation junkie like me, it is more fun than work.  Enjoy!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post 5 Foundations to explore this year! appeared first on Silverkis' World.

Lancome reformulated several of its foundations last year, and the most hyped was perhaps the Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation.  This is one of the brand’s top-selling foundations best known for its matte finish and long-lasting wear.  It is perhaps diametrically different from the much more hydrating and dewy Teint Miracle Foundation [reviewed here], and is better suited for those prone to shine.  I had tested this out more than 4 years ago when it was first launched, and found the new version to be much improved!

The new Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation has been reformulated to ensure all-day comfort for long-lasting wear.  The pigments are specially coated to maintain a pH level that is at equilibrium with the skin to ensure that color stays true.  The bottle has been updated to bear a shiny black cap with a golden emblem on the top, to make it even more modern and edgy looking.  But what is most impressive is the extensive range of 40 shades to suit every skin tone!

I was matched to the shade O25, which is really the perfect shade for me!  As you can see in the half-faced comparison shot below, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation floats over surface imperfections and evens out skin tone beautifully, leaving a porcelain-smooth and lit-from-within complexion.  The texture is very much improved from the earlier version [reviewed here], it is a light fluid that I found super easy to blend, and yet not so runny it makes a mess.  It dries down fairly quickly after application, and gives a beautiful luminous satin finish.  This is also in sharp contrast to the original version which was much more matte and flat.

^{**Please click on image to open in a separate window to zoom in for a closer inspection}

Coverage is a good buildable medium, and is also easy to sheer out with a dampened sponge or brush.  I actually prefer my foundations sheerer, and was surprised by how effortless this looks without leaving my face looking cakey and feeling heavy.  I was able to cover up dark circles and the redness around my nose sufficiently with this Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation alone, but acne scars require a separate concealer to cover completely.

With regards to the 24h claims, I must note that on my dry/combination skin, this Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation does get shiny around my t-zone after about 6 hours’ wear.  It does not get too severe though, and I can get by without blotting.  At the same time, there is not too much transfer and I did not notice any creasing nor oxidising of the foundation throughout the day.

The gorgeous finish and comfortable lightweight wear make this Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation a truly outstanding product.  If you looking to switch up your makeup in anticipation of warmer weather ahead, I highly recommend you take a look at this!

_{This post featured a product that was kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

The post The New Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation appeared first on Silverkis' World.

I’ve never been much of a lip gloss kind of gal, I like my lippies to pack colour and opacity, so glosses never really fit the bill.  Of course, the industry has evolved tremendously, and there are plenty of pigmented glosses in the market today.  However, most of them do not have much in the way of longevity, until now.  Meet the new Lancôme L’absolu Lacquer!

The new Lancôme L’absolu Lacquer perfectly transcends the gloss and liquid lipstick divide.  With vivid colour pay-off with a glossy finish and customizable opacity, this is a gloss unlike any other.  What seals the deal is the 6-hour long lasting hold, and even when the gloss is completely gone, it leaves a nice stain behind.

There are 18 shades available in Singapore, from nude to bright fuchsia.  The 4 hero shades are:

• 134 Be Brilliant – brightened cherry red
• 274 Beige Sensation – muted cool-toned beige
• 315 Energy Shot – medium-light peach
• 378 Be Unique – medium-dark fuchsia

Here is how they look on my lips:

All the swatches are 2 layers of products, and on my pigmented lips the Lancôme L’absolu Lacquer turned out pretty well.  Opacity seems to vary sightly depending on the shades, with 315 Energy Shot being more translucent than the rests, but overall they all do a great job for everyday wear.  More importantly, they feel much more hydrating and comfortable than anything else in my lippie wardrobe.

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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Hello October!  Another quarter has passed, and I feel immensely accomplished to be able to empty out yet another bumper crop of products.  Personally I look forward to writing these post the most nowadays, because it truly reflects how I feel about each of the items.  Through July – September, I managed to finish up not only my usual range of products, but also a good amount of things that have taken far too long.  Let’s take a closer look after the jump!

Skincare

As always, skincare make up the bulk of my empties post.  What made this round most satisfying is that I am finally done with some samples that have been residing in my travel pouch for more than a year.  Some went more quickly whilst others were just good enough to keep around but didn’t knock my socks off.  There were also a number that are near expiry and I managed to “rescue” from the depths of my hoards in time.  I classified them by product types for ease of comparison, and numbered in the picture below.

Makeup removers:

1. Neutrogena Deep Clean Oil to Foam* is the 3rd bottle that I’ve emptied [see here and here].  As before, I use it mainly to remove swatches from my arm, but if I didn’t have such an extensive reserve I would gladly use it on my face as well.
2. Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil* has attained cult status on social media, but frankly I am not a fan.  The smell isn’t pleasant, and it broke me out.  On the positive side, it cleanses really well, and does not leave a greasy after-feel.  Funny story, I recently stained a pastel blouse with chilli oil and no amount of washing detergent put a dent on the stain.  In the end I figured nothing removes oil better than oil itself, so I applied this MCO to the stain.  Right away the stain lightened!  It still took several rounds of MCO + detergent and soaking overnight to completely remove the stain, but it worked.  So the next time you have the same encounter you know what to do!
3. Caudalie Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil* is a sample from one of my Lookfantastic beauty boxes, and it is SO GOOD!  Lightweight, cleanses beautifully, and leaves my skin looking better and better every day.  It is formulated from natural plant oils (sunflower seed, sweet almond and grape seed) and filled with antioxidant vitamin E.  Go ahead and shop here [affiliated link]!
4. Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil* [reviewed here] is one of my staples and I have a couple more backups in my stash.  Skin-loving yet cleanses thoroughly without breaking me out.  If you’ve not tried this best-seller from Shu Uemura, you need to do so now!

Facial cleansers:

5. The Body Shop Drops of Youth Gentle Foamwash* is self-foaming which I like for a pampering morning routine. It is enriched with 3 plant stem cells: edelweiss from the Italian alps, criste marine and sea holly from the Brittany coast and Community Trade organic babassu oil from Brazil; all to boost skin renewal. For all its benefits though, my skin didn’t really respond well to it. It didn’t break me out nor dry out my skin either, so I forced myself to use it up.
6. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Caring Wash* was part of my spring-summer transitional line-up, and I had promised the PR to feature it on my social channels.  In the end, I just found the range so blah I kept postponing it.  This cleanser is the only item from the 3-piece set they sent me that I finished, and I can only say that if your skin is highly reactive and sensitized, this will baby your skin like no other.  It doesn’t clean particularly well, and if you use heavy night creams or have oily skin, then this is insufficient on its own.  I used it as the 2nd part of my double cleanse routine, and only after long trips when my skin is feeling stressed out.
7. Elemis Superfood Facial Wash* is another gem from my Lookfantastic beauty box.  It is the first green facial cleanser I’ve ever used, and it even smells green.  All thanks to a cocktail of wheatgrass, kale and nettle; all intended to feed essential nutrients back to the skin.  I actually fell in love with this cleanser because it is so good!  It cleanses thoroughly in the most gentle way, leaving my skin feeling plump and healthy.  I started using it whilst on a work trip, and couldn’t put it down after I returned that it was completely used up in 2 weeks.  This is now on my list for the next time I need to purchase a cleanser!  You can get yours here with free shipping now [unaffiliated link].

Lotions & Essences:

8. Cosme Decorte AQ Lotion* is from the prestigious brand’s recently revamped line, and it not only hydrates the skin but also contains birch water to tighten pores and refine skin’s texture.  White mucuna extract banishes dullness and improves skin clarity.  The Decorte routine actually puts a moisturizing emulsion ahead of the lotion, which is the opposite of most other Western-style routine.  When I tried to incorporate the Decorte AQ Lotion into my existing routine I found it to be too stripping.  But when I applied a layer of emulsion right after cleansing before patting on the lotion, it leaves my skin refreshed and plumped.
9. YSL Or Rouge Lotion* is from YSL’s luxurious anti-aging Or Rouge line.  The key component is the Or Rouge Complex formulated using glycan from the pistil of saffron which has regenerative properties and returns a youthful glow to the skin.  The Lotion is the cheapest and easiest way to experience the line, although I personally think there are better lotions out there at this price point.
10. Cle de Peau Beaute Essential Correcting Refiner is one of those products that I ran out to purchase immediately upon its release, but promptly forgot about until months before expiration.  It has a colloidal texture that needs a good shake before saturating a cotton pad and patting to the skin.  Illuminating Complex evens out skin tone; Surface Refining Complex smoothens out rough patches; and sebum absorption powder keeps skin matte.  On my sensitive skin, I found this to be really irritating – my breakouts worsened and I developed sensitive red patches on my cheeks.  After trying to live with this for the past 3 months, I gave up on the final drops and decided to bin this.  Probably best suited for oily, acne-prone skin.

Serums & others:

11. Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum* is HG for me, and a staple in my morning routine [reviewed here].  I travel with it, and simply cannot live without it.
12. SUQQU Moisture Repair Essence is technically designed to be used before lotion, but it has a milky rich texture that I prefer to apply after lotion, before moisturizer.  It is supposed to soften the layers of the skin, promote skin metabolism and restore resiliency and suppleness.  For a hydrating serum/essence, I find it inferior to the Chanel Hydra Beauty, and definitely insufficient on its own for travels / dry climates.  On the other hand, the texture is too rich for hot, humid climates in Singapore.
13. Skin Inc My Daily Dose of Vitamins ABC+* contains encapsulated Vitamin B3 and pro-Vitamin B5 to nourish, protect, and diminish the appearance of spots and blemishes.  Antioxidant Vitamin C fights free radicals and prevents aging.  As with every other bottle of Skin Inc serum, this layers incredibly well and provides hydrating benefits to my skin.  Everything else is minimal.
14. Origins Dr Weil Mega-Defense SPF45/PA++++* is a lovely light-weight texture that layers beautifully with makeup.  I like the high sun protection factor, and will happily restock this if ever I run out of sunscreens.  Check out the full review here.
15. Lancôme Absolue Nourishing Lip Balm* is soooo good I’m actually really upset that I finished this!  It is lightweight and yet so soothing and nourishing on my chapped lips.  Some lip balms are just too balmy, leaving a greasy after-feel that I can’t go and kiss my little one goodnight.  Others are too light they don’t do a thing for my lips.  Lancôme got this perfectly nailed, and a tiny bit is all you need.  This tube lasted me for 2 years even though I use it every single night.  I’m going through the rest of my extensive stash right now, but already I know I need to replace this asap.

Hair & Bodycare

It takes me much longer to complete bodycare items than skincare, so it is with lots of pride that I am able to show you these today.

Haircare:

1. Percy & Reed Wonder Wash Shampoo & Conditioner* are not only adorable to look at, they are also every bit as perfect as claimed.  These are not filled with silicones like so many other hair products out there, and still they leave my hair soft and smooth.  They smell great too which is always a nice bonus.
2. Christophe Robin Cleansing Volumizing Paste* is my first encounter with the brand, and I was really excited because I’ve heard nothing but great things about Christophe Robin.  I love that it is 85% natural, which is really rare in haircare products.  The paste texture is surprising, what is even more interesting is that it transforms quickly into a light foam once mixed with water.  It deep cleanses my hair and leaves it feeling crisp and cool.  Unfortunately this Cleansing Volumizing Paste is designed for fine hair, on mine it made my hair stiff and unyielding.  I couldn’t even get through this mini sample, though I’d love to try other items fro the brand.

Bodycare:

3. Lush Yuzu and Cocoa Shower Cream* is not only refreshing in the shower, it is also moisturizing on my skin.
4. Molton Brown Pink Pepper Bath & Shower Gel* is a unisex scent and an invigorating way to start the morning.
5. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndat AP+* is a very lush shower cream designed for eczema-sufferers.  I put this aside specially for my 5-year old son, and it is truly beneficial for him.  It prevents his skin from drying out and now that we emptied this, his skin seems to be worse than before.  For everybody else, this can take some getting used to because it leaves a sort of film on the skin.  However if you have a propensity for dermatitis, you should check this one out.
6. The Body Shop British Rose Exfoliating Gel Body Scrub* is very fine for a body scrub, and it smells amazing.  The British Rose is one of my favourite lines from The Body Shop, and this is no exception.
7. The Body Shop Spa of the World Atlantic Seaweed Cream* is a light gel-like moisturizer that is a real pleasure to use when the weather is hot.  It also soothes irritated skin, I’ve tried using it on my son and it not only doesn’t sting his eczema skin, it also stops the itchiness.
8. Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant is the most expensive deodorant I’ve ever used, but it also lasts forever.  I use this every day and it took me a year to empty.  For those natural product buffs, the lack of aluminium, alcohol and parabens put this one top of the list.  More importantly it works well at keeping away the sweaties.
9. L’Occitane Almond Velvet Hands* is lovely for dry hands, and I especially appreciate the SPF15 sun protection.  The texture is silky and it does not leave a greasy film.
10. Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Hand Cream* is a very rich and reparative hand cream.  It is heavily fragranced though and the scent lingers for quite a while afterwards.

Makeup

There were a number of other items that I was hoping would make it into this round of empties, but then I was away for most of September so I was using stuff from my travel pouch instead.  The 3 makeup items that I cleared were:

1. Chanel Les Beige Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation is the first cushion from Chanel and it is the lightest across my collection.  This is really lovely for mid-day touch-ups as it does not erase all the blusher and highlighter, yet still blots and evens out the skin nicely.  Take a look at my full review here.
2. Lancôme Sourcils Styler* is a brow gel that holds strands in place without turning them crispy and thick.  This is the tinted brown version which gives my brows a fuller look.  I like the small brush applicator tip of this one, it grabs the hairs effectively without being so large it stains the skin outside of the brows.
3. YSL The Shock Mascara* is frankly not one of my favourite mascaras.  The formula is clumpy and I found it hard to work with the brush.  I’m glad to be done with this, and have already moved onto others.

And that concludes yet another volume of #Empties post.  It has been a marathon of a read, so I’m really touched that you made it this far.  There are a lot of uncovered treasures in this quarter’s crop of products, and some that are just meh.  I tried to give a fair assessment regardless of their price points, and whether they are sponsored (indicated with *) or purchased by me.  If I had to pick my top 3 from these to replenish, they would be – Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum, Lancôme Absolue Nourishing Lip Balm, and Elemis Superfood Facial Wash!

Have you tried anything and/or have an opinion on any of the products discussed today?

_{This post featured many items that were generously provided by various brands for my consideration.  Each of them are indicated by an (*) next to their names.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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I am always impressed by brands that keep working on improving their products, and Lancôme especially does not rest on its laurels.  The Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge range of lipsticks are some of the best in the market, and just in time for the holiday season ahead, Lancôme has launched a whole new Drama Matte lipstick collection for maximum impact.

Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte is the latest addition to the iconic L’Absolu Rouge line, and perfects the full dramatic matte pout.  The lipsticks come in all-matte packaging with the brand’s rose emblem embossed on the top.  A click of the rose reveals the golden tube containing the lipstick within.  There are 12 shades available, and I have 6 of the hero shades swatched for you.

From left to right, the shades are:

• 157 Obsessive Red – warm-toned coral red
• 171 Allegresse – medium dark reddened pink
• 274 Sensualite – medium warm-toned rosewood
• 313 Rose Fulminante – bright candy pink with a strong blue undertone
• 388 Rose Lancome – medium-dark pink
• 505 Adoration – dark red with a warm-orange undertone

And here is how they look on my lips:

These new Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Matte lipsticks have rich color pay-off and impressive longevity, lasting more than 8 hours on my lips without fading nor budging.  It fades with a heavy meal, but survives drinking and light snacks relatively well.  Most importantly, it feels incredibly comfortable on my lips even with consecutive days of wear, and does not cause my lips to dry out and flake.  Some of the shades apply smoother on my lips than others, and this seems to be a function of the underlying color pigments as I get the same results across brands.

For the launch, there are 3 shades that are available in a limited edition color-matched matte casing.  Personally, I prefer the black matte version which is available permanently now at all Lancome counters!

_{This post featured products that were generously provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}

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Last December I cleaned out all of my old stashes, and discovered to my horror many more products that I had been hoarding to death. And so I started this year on a mission to clear them out once and for all before starting on entirely new products.  As you can see below, it has been a very satisfactory quarter, and I’m excited to recap for you below!

Haircare:

I permed my hair in January, so it is a short wavy bob now, and I had forgotten how much work permed hair requires. So, there are ALOT of hair products this time around.

1. PHS Hairscience is a homegrown brand from Singapore that uses a research-driven approach towards formulating its products to support healthy hair growth. The brand started out as a hairspa, and has since branched out into an extensive range of products for every hair concern. I had the opportunity to try out their Repair range for hair that has been damaged by chemical processes (me me me!), and the Colour Care range.  I love that PHS Hairscience products are formulated without parabens, benzophenone and mineral oil, and are hypoallergenic. However, much as I love to embrace and support local brands, neither of the ranges really got me in love. I found the textures to be heavy and not as fine as I’d like, and did not leave my hair soft afterwards. Over time, my scalp also started getting quite irritated and itchy.
2. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a deluxe sample from one of the Lookfantastic Beauty Boxes and works like a booster mask. Apply it to damp hair, leave on for 2-3min, then rinse off and continue with shampoo and conditioner. It has a heavy enveloping texture, but it applies well, and after shampoo and conditioner, leaves my hair bouncy and soft! I love that it doesn’t take too much time, and is so easy to use.
3. Goldwell Kerasilk [reviewed here] is a really intensive treatment hair oil, and it’s filled with wonderful ingredients for repairing damaged hair. I only apply it to my hair ends and a tiny pearl-sized drop is all I need, so this bottle has lasted me a very long time.
4. Verb Sea Spray is great for defining my curls, giving that loose beach wave look.  Loved it so much, I almost used it all up within weeks but then the nozzle broke which was really disappointing.
5. Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray is nice for defining curls, but it left them hard and crunchy which is not ideal. Maybe I’m not using this right because there are lots of great reviews on sephora, but I don’t particularly find this holds styles well.
6. Percy & Reed Wonder Treatment Oil is one that I’ve been trying to empty for a very long time.  It’s less oily than the Goldwell Kerasilk, and is probably one of the best hair oil that I’ve used!

Bodycare:

I’m generally not as particular with body products… as long as they don’t smell off-putting, and don’t cause my eczema-prone skin to flare up.  So it seems like a hodge-podge mix here, with the aim of binning as many as I can.

1. Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced Toothpaste is a deluxe sample that I received in one of those Lookfantastic beauty boxes and immediately put to use.  It uses NR-5™ technology which forms a fresh supply of the same mineral tooth enamel is made of, restoring the high mineral content and protective function of tooth enamel with regular use.  I love that it strengthens and protects teeth against cavities by restoring the enamel’s mineral content.  It even claims to whiten teeth!  However, when I use my usual portion and brush using my regular speed and strength, I found an intense heat sensation that permeates my gums into my jaw.  Depending on how much toothpaste and how hard I brush, the heat can get so intense it actually hurts.  The feeling goes away after rinsing, but there is definitely a lot of getting used to if you are intent on picking this one up.  For me, it wasn’t a pleasant experience and will probably not subject my teeth to this again.
2. Spa Esprit Custom-Blend Shower Gel is an old product and I don’t think they are offering it anymore on their site.  The idea was rather clever – pick your choice of essential oil and mix it in an unscented shower gel for your own customized relaxing spa-like experience at home!  I think I picked a geranium blend, and even after storing for more than 2 years, it still smelled good each time I used it.
3. Molton Brown Jasmine & Sun Rose Bath & Shower Gel is part of a deluxe set from Christmas and it smells sooooo good!  I can see why there are so many fans of Molton Brown, I want to stock them in every bathroom in my home!
4. Sabon Body Scrub is one of the brand’s cult-favorites and I can see why!  It is a salt-scrub that comes mixed with a luxuriously moisturizing body oil.  The salt scrub can sting if you have open wounds, and the granules do feel somewhat coarse.  However, they dissolve quickly on damp skin, and are very effective at exfoliating.  The oil infusion softens and pampers skin, leaving my skin feeling so good afterwards!  This Patchouli Lavender Vanille scent is surprisingly not lingeringly heavy, but it does lift up into a fragrant steam when washed under warm shower.
5. Hysses Verbena Rose Hand Cream is a Singapore brand that changed name a couple of years ago, it used to be called Mt. Sapola.  To be honest, I’m not a fan of the brand, and this hand cream is so overpoweringly scented, I had a hard time forcing myself to use it up.  The texture is heavy and it does not quite soften and treat my eczema-prone dry hands.
6. The Body Shop British Rose Petal-Soft Hand Cream is a lovely rose scent, not powdery grandma rose, but a light young rose.  The texture is lighter than Hysses above, though not quite as moisturizing as its name implies.

Skincare:

The staple of my beauty arsenal… I obviously love skincare and use plenty of them on a daily basis.  This has been extremely satisfying and poignant to me because I said my final goodbyes to some products that have been sitting far too long in storage half-used.  I’m really glad they have not gone bad yet because I really hate to waste.  Given the large number of products here, I am going to discuss them by categories in the order that I would use them.

Cleansing:

1. Shu Uemura Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil is a returning feature, I love it to bits, you can see my review here.
2. Shiseido Future Solution LX Extra Rich Cleansing Foam & Concentrate Balancing Softener sat far too long in my stash mainly because there was always something newer and sexier to try, and I was worried this line would be far too rich for my skin.  On hindsight Japanese skincare are designed to be used holistically, and the cleansers are typically designed to be very thorough so as to allow maximum absorption of the ensuing products.  And in that regard, this cleansing foam performs perfectly on point, leaving my skin perfectly clean without over-stripping it.  The softener feels crisp and helps remove dead skin cells whilst rebalancing the skin.  The more I used these 2, the more I loved them and was sad to finally see them go.  They are priced at a slight premium, and I recommend you use them with a richer routine of serums and moisturizers.
3. Shiseido The Skincare Purifying Mask is a recurring feature in my skincare line-up so I will not go into details anymore.  It is a reliable, affordable and fast weekly deep-cleanse that respects sensitive dry skin; and can be used overnight as a spot treatment as well!
4. Lancôme Bi-facil Eye Makeup Remover was past of a Christmas trove from eons ago that I uncovered.  As you all know, my HG is Chanel, but I hate to waste, so for the past 3 months I had dedicated myself to this Lancôme.  I’m not usually fussy about makeup removers and cleansers, but everytime I stray from Chanel, I remember why it is my HG.  To its merits, this Lancôme removes all traces of eye makeup and my triple layers of mascara perfectly.  However, it also stings my eyes and causes the skin around my lids to itch.  It is priced the same as the Chanel, so I will not be repurchasing.
5. Albion Skin Conditioner is one of the brand’s hero products and it functions as an exfoliating toner.  I started using it years ago and put it aside as I found it too strong for my liking back then.  Surprisingly after resuming it now, I found it a gentler alternative to the Pixi Glow Tonic, albeit much pricier.  If you like exfoliating toners, and have a pretty dime to spare, you should check this one out.  You can also put it in a small purse spray and use it to refresh throughout the day.
6. Pixi Rose Tonic has emerged as 1 of my favourite soothing hydrating toners this spring.  It smells beautiful, and feels so comforting on the skin… this is a must-try for budget babes and luxury lovers alike!
7. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner on the other hand is pricey and not altogether what its name implies.  At first try, I found it stung my skin.  As I progress with the bottle, it becomes increasingly difficult to get the lotion out as the (very dead looking) petals clog up the tiny hole at the top.  There is still a little bit left but it has become impossible to get any lotion out so I am ditching this.  Not my favourite piece of this otherwise lovely line.

Serums & Moisturizers:

8. Albion Excia Whitening Brilliancy Serum is a recent addition to my skincare routine, and I LOVE IT!  Just as with most other Japanese skincare, you don’t expect to see overnight transformation because they don’t use harsh acids to achieve brightening results.  Instead Albion uses a stable form of kojic acid which goes deeper and blocks formation of tyrosine which in turn prevents melanin (aka dark spots).  This serum has a lovely milky texture that is quite light and yet hydrating, and since I have stopped going for my regular laser treatments for almost half a year now, this Albion Excia Whitening Brilliancy Serum has helped me maintain a spot-free complexion.  Prevention is always better than cure, so I highly recommend you try this out!
9. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum is quite unlike its sister above, and I found this a pleasing, fuss-free product to use.  It has a crisp, light texture that gets absorbed immediately and allows me to layer on other serums and moisturizers at will.
10. Clarins Multi-Active Day Moisturizer [reviewed here] is an old friend and I’ve always enjoyed using it.  Easy, fuss-free is the best way to go!

Sunscreens & others:

11. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light is indeed ultra light.  I love the fragrance-free formulation that packs a comprehensive SPF50+ sun protection.  The slim bottle is easy to carry around for travels, and it is equally pleasant to use on face as well as on body (I apply it on my arms actually where I have been developing sun spots from driving!).
12. Clarins UV Plus Anti-Pollution Day Screen is another old friend, you can read the review here.  The high SPF 50 and broad spectrum UVA-UVB protection makes this one a force to contend with, and it also works well as a makeup base by smoothening out the skin.  The bottle lasts a very long time (if you are only applying it to the face), as you can see the letterings have all fallen off!
13. NIA Tech Neck is one of those things that sound really good conceptually.  A lightweight serum in a roller-massaging applicator, and a formula that aims to reduce those dreaded neck lines.  Unfortunately the skin on my neck is so sensitive that the serum makes me itch so  I couldn’t use this daily.  In any case, other than providing some moisturizing boost, I didn’t really see any improvements in lines.  There is a twist mechanism that locks the tube and prevents product from leaking out, which is crucial if you are standing this up on the vanity or carrying it around in a crowded purse.  I was too lazy, and whilst I did not have to clean up a mess on my vanity, it did dispense way too much product when used.
14. Estee Lauder Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist should really be in the next category, but since it is pictured here…  I use these sorts of makeup mists to dampen my brushes and sponges for makeup application.  I’ve tried misting this directly on my face, and I personally find that it sprays far too much for makeup to remain intact, which is the farthest thing from setting my makeup.  It is mainly water, and priced at $39, I can’t really see a good reason for indulging.

Makeup:

And that dovetails nicely into the final group of products.

1. La Mer The Perfecting Treatment [reviewed here] is a luxurious treatment primer, I’ve enjoyed every single use of this from start to finish.  It is better suited for dry seasons and dry skin, and keeps makeup looking fresh by protecting skin’s moisture level throughout the day.  I’m sad to see this one go, because there is nothing quite like it in my arsenal.
2. Guerlain Cils D’Enfer Maxi Lash [reviewed here] is another returning favorites.  This one is the improved waterproof version, though I still need a primer to prevent smudges.  It is a sleek beauty to behold, and it thickens and lengthens those lashes beautifully.
3. Chanel Crayon de Couleur [reviewed here] is my favourite lip formula EVER.  I have so many of these nifty jumbo lip pencils and I still can’t get enough of them.  Rose Violine is such a pretty everyday wearable shade that it has become the first lipstick that I’ve finished in decades.  I need a replacement asap.

Aright folks, that’s it for this volume of Empties.  Let me know in the comment section below if you have any new faves to share!

_{This post featured plenty of products that were sponsored, but all thoughts shared above are mine and mine alone.}

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