Category Archives: Summer 2012

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust

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Tom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust (1) Included in this year’s Tom Ford Summer Collection is this Bronzing Powder in 01 Gold Dust, which is not a new product from Tom Ford (it has been available in the US and most other countries since last summer). However for us in Hong Kong, this Bronzing Powder (along with the other shade 02 Terra) is a new addition to the Hong Kong line-up.

This bronzer and the Fire Lust Skin Illuminator are the first products that caught my eye in the collection. I skipped Fire Lust during my first visit because I have too many highlighters at the moment, and since summer is right round the corner, I decided that a bronzer would come in handier for the season.Tom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust (3)Tom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust labelThe Bronzing Powder comes in a sleek metallic mahogany and gold packaging. It’s absolutely gorgeous, and feels weighty despite being a rather thin compact. The huge mirror in the compact is another reason why I love this powder, it’s great for travelling!Tom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust (2)This bronzing powder comes with a good amount of product (21g) which justifies the high price ($90 USD/$700 HKD). The recent Nude Tan Paradise Duo from Dior’s Summer collection is $56 USD for just 9.5g of product, so Gold Dust is not that expensive when compared.Tom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold DustTom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust Close upGold Dust is a warm golden brown with fine gold shimmers. The glitters are subtle so people like me who has combination/oily skin won’t have to worry. The powder is very fine, and works perfectly with Tom Ford’s own Bronzer Brush (which has recently become available in Hong Kong finally!). It creates an amazing sunkissed glow. And with such a large pan of product, it makes it very easy to apply with any brushes, especially with the Tom Ford Bronzer Brush.
Tom Ford Bronzing Powder 01 Gold Dust SwatchI have been using this bronzer everyday since I got this, and I just love the natural sunkissed glow that it creates. It’s long-wearing that it stays on for at least 10-12 hours.

Once again this is a new product for us in Asian countries, so I urge you all to give this a try. In my opinion it’s worth every penny and just imagine how long you’ll be able to use this for!

China Glaze Summer Neons Collection Ride the Waves

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I have for you guys today a “neon” blue from China Glaze’s Summer Neons Collection – Ride the Waves!

Ride the Waves is described as a dark ocean blue, and of course it’s supposed to look neon. I just don’t see the neon quality in this though, I would rather call it a bright blue.

The first coat was a little bit streaky (expected from a jelly polish) but overall the formula is quite sheer. I had three coats on my nails in this swatch since I couldn’t stand VNLs. With two coats there’s no way for a full coverage, but it’ll be significantly lighter and brighter, perhaps making it a bit more neon?

I have from my own collection two other blue polishes for comparisons: RBL’s  IKB:2012 (Fan Collection) and Butter London’s Blagger (Spring 2012).

They’re not exactly dupes but I thought it’d be nice to see some comparisons.

See how Ride the Waves is so much brighter? To me though, it’s still not a neon. That’s why this polish is actually a disappointment for me. I expected a neon, yet a bright blue was delivered. But if the formula isn’t so sheer I would’ve enjoyed the color a lot.

Did you purchase Ride the Waves? Do you mind the VNLs?

Chanel Bombay Express de Chanel Collection – Le Vernis Diwali

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Another product that I got from the Bombay Express de Chanel Collection is the only nail polish Diwali in the collection. Before seeing the actual product, I wasn’t sure if I’d like to add this to my collection, since it looks quite similar  (especially in terms of finish) to Chanel’s recent releases, such as Delight from the Summer 2012 Collection (reviewed here).

But I’m so wrong! After seeing the actual product, Diwali and Delight is completely different!

Diwali is described as a glowing mix of pale gold and luminous silver. And it’s a very well described by Chanel. The promotional pictures show a more golden polish, but it truly is between gold and silver.

Diwali gives you enough coverage with just 2 coats. I did go for another coat for some fingers for a perfect coverage. It dries rather quickly and I only had minor tip wear after a few day’s wear.

I don’t have anything that’s close to Diwali. But I have here Chanel’s Gold Fingers (reviewed here) and Delight (once again reviewed here) swatched on a nail wheel.

They really are quite different, and I very much prefer Diwali as it works much better for my skin tone. Gold Fingers are too flashy, and Delight is a very nice color, but just looks a bit off on me…

Diwali is available in Chanel Boutiques at IFC Mall, Lee Gardens and Festival Walk. They’re very popular and almost sold out! Run and get it if you’re interested!

 

 

Chanel Bombay Express de Chanel Collection – Routes des Indes de Chanel Illuminating Powder

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I always skip the highlighting step in my makeup routine, that’s why illuminators/highlighters never interest me. But this Routes des Indes de Chanel Illuminating Powder with Shimmer from Chanel’s Bombay Express de Chanel Collection is to die for.

Before swatching, this illuminating powder is extremely shimmery, and looks almost glossy. There’s an overlay of silver glitter, which fades after the first few uses. After that, this highly pigmented yellow-gold shimmery powder even serves as an excellent gold eyeshadow, which makes my other recent purchase – Illusion d’ombre in Vision (reviewed here) redundant now…

Of course the beautiful design cannot go unnoticed. This embossed design is inspired by the brocade pattern from an Indian-inspired collection created by Gabrielle Chanel in the 1960s.

The main reason why I got this is the shimmer. Surprised to hear this from someone who avoids shine on their face at all cost right? I just thought this would be an amazing product to use (not just on my face) when I perform on stage. Just imagine that subtle glow when the lights hits wherever I have this on!

Here’s a swatch of a light sweep of product.

And here’s a heavy swatch of the product.

I’m so glad the price for this product is a lot cheaper in Hong Kong than in the States. This truly is a collector’s piece, and for me I think I’ll also call it an investment piece! ; P

Chanel Les Expressions des Chanel Collection – Illusion d’Ombre in 89 Vision

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Chanel’s Les Expressions des Chanel collection is all about the eyes. Chanel is releasing 2 mascaras (Intimiable Intense and Sublime de Chanel Waterproof), 3 Les 4 Combres eyeshadow quads and 3 Illusion d’Ombre cream eyeshadows.

Since I have quite a number of mascaras which I already love, I didn’t go for any of the mascaras (I did receive samples of them both, so I’m gonna try them soon!). The Illusion d’Ombre in Vision is definitely the most eye-catching product in the collection. It’s a gorgeous gold!!

Visions is a very sparkly gold. The product feels very spongy in the pot, and I applied them onto my eyes with my fingers. I didn’t find the little angled brush useful at all, since it couldn’t pick up much product but the glitter. You definitely need a primer for this or else all you get is the glitter.

This swatch is without primer:

And here’s another with primer:

This cream eyeshadow is not long wearing. Even with a primer, it creases after about 4 hours. I prefer my eyeshadows to last longer than that. It can be easily solved though, I just smudge the crease with my finger and I’m good to go again. You can also add a layer of eyeshadow on top for a slightly longer wear. By dabbing the product onto your eyelids you can a soft layer of glitter, so that’s another way to use this product!

So all in all it’s really a gorgeous product. I would have much preferred it a lot more long wearing, but I don’t expect that really from a cream eyeshadow. This would be a great eyeshadow for a night out, because it just looks so glamourous!

 

China Glaze Summer Neons Collection Surfin’ for Boys

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China Glaze’s Summer Neons Collection is definitely one of the best accessories for this summer! And the one that really caught my eye from the collection has to be this one – Surfin’ for Boys!

Surfin’ for Boys is bright neon coral with pink and some purple shimmers. It’s a great formula, and with just one coat you get a very decent opaque finish. I still went ahead with a second coat just to make it a bit more perfect. The formula seems to be slightly thick, but I didn’t find any trouble with it during application.

This is a beautiful neon polish, and my camera just can’t seem to be able to capture the brightness of it. The shimmers makes it even more beautiful, creating a softer look. It has a matte finish, and I add on a top coat for the shine.

From my collection, I find China Glaze’s High Hopes, and Deborah Lippmann’s Party Girl (reviewed here) the most similar.

High Hopes is not really a neon, and leans more red.  Party Girl is a neon but a lot less bright than Surfin’ For Boys. They both have a matte finish. I would definitely choose Surfin’ For Boys. The color is just breathtaking.

Did you try out the other polishes from this collection?

Deborah Lippmann Run the World (Girls) Collection

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Deborah Lippmann’s Summer Collection is here! This time Run the World (Girls)‘s a whole set of 5 neon mini polishes. I find myself smiling whenever I look at them, they’re such happy colors!

(From left to right: Party Girl, Hollaback Girl, I kissed a Girl, It Girl and Nasty Girl)

Party Girl is described as a sassy salmon. My favorite one from the set. I find it a pinkish coral, and two coats give a semi-opaque jelly finish.

(Comparison swatches can be found here.)

Hollaback Girl is described as an outrageous orange. It’s a hot color this year since it’s the Pantone color of the year. Two coats give an semi-opaque    finish, three coats for an opaque finish.

(Comparison swatches can be found here.)

I Kissed a Girl is described to be a popping pink. Two coats give an almost-opaque finish.

It Girl is described as an yelling’ yellow. It’s the sheerest polish among the five, which is expected since yellow are always the most frustrating color for a polish. And of course since these have jelly finishes, they’re even more sheer. It takes at least three coats for a semi-opaque finish.

(comparison swatches can be found here.)

Nasty Girl is described as a flaming fuchsia. Two coats for an almost opaque finish.

These polishes are all demi-matte neon colors, I have a shiny top coat on all the swatches above. I just like them shiny instead of matte. If you like a matte finish, you can skip the topcoat part. However they may not be as long-wearing!

These are all fun colors to wear, but I’m not crazy about them. They are quite sheer, and I prefer creme finishes. I won’t complain though since they are high-quality polishes and I get to play with 5 different and happy colors!

 

Laura Mercier Summer 2012 Belle Nouveau Collection Caviar Sticks Eye Color in Turquoise and Steel

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Besides the Lavender Cloud nail polish (reviewed here), I also got two of these Caviar Sticks Eye Color from Laura Mercier’s Summer 2012 Belle Nouveau Collection. These are my first Caviar Sticks and I’m so glad of these purchases!

The only eyeshadow sticks I’ve ever tried are the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Shadow Pencils, and I did not like them. The formula is not smooth enough for the delicate skin on the eye area, almost tug at your eyelids when you apply the stick directly. The colors, especially the ones with glitters are very inconsistent, meaning more blending required for a decent coverage, and the best way to do it is with your fingertips, and that results to even more tugging because of the formula. And the fact that it sets almost immediately after application does not help at all. I don’t care how long wearing they are, the application process was simply a nightmare.

But these Caviar Sticks Eye Color from Laura Mercier are nothing like that.

They glides on silky smooth, and are very pigmented. The set time is significantly longer than the Urban Decay ones. May or may not be a good thing, but at least you have plenty of time to work the product for your desired eye look. Once it sets however, they’re water-resistant, and smudge-proof. I didn’t use a primer the first day I wore the Turquoise shade, and I experienced some minor creases on my lids after a few hours of wear, I believe that’s thanks to my oily lids. So if you have oily lids like me, you need an eyeshadow primer.

(If you want to use these as eyeliners, they work too. I like using a precise eye liner brush to apply the color like an eyeliner on my eyes. Just be aware that it takes a longer time for it to set than a true eyeliner pencil.)

The colors are just beautiful, especially Turquoise which is a deepened teal/turquoise color. I got so many questions about my eyelook whenever I wear the turquoise shade!

Steel is a dark grey, gunmetal silver, definitely a lot more subtle then Turquoise, but I like it just as much.

You can find these at all Laura Mercier counters in Lane Crawford Hong Kong.

Giorgio Armani Acqua Collection Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow #25, #28 and #29

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This mini Acqua Collection from Giorgio Armani is one of the most gorgeous ones I’ve seen in a long time. The Eyes to Kill Intense eyeshadows all look so gorgeous when I saw the promotional pictures, and they’re even more so when I saw them with my own eyes. I ended up with only one though the first day I visited the counter for the collection, and it’s #28. I did, however went back and purchase #25 and #29 few days later. I just couldn’t resist.

#25 is a blackened gold with a slight hint of khaki-ness in it when swatched. It looks a bit similar to #24 which is more like a black with gold in it if I remember correctly, I chose #25 since I find it a more unique shade than #24. Great color for a smokey eye look.

Since I’m not a fan of having pinks on my eyes, I hesitated to purchase #27 when I first saw the collection. It is however really a beautiful color that I had to go back for this. Of course they’re so popular that it’s already sold out at the Armani counter I usually go to, I had to travel to another one just to purchase this (and #25). It’s totally worth it though.

#27 is a silvery reddish pink color. When swatched it sometimes turns silvery purple instead of the expected silvery pink. Under different lightings you come up with different descriptions for it. But that’s what makes this so hard to resist getting!

#28 is a coppery gold with burgundy in it. It’s the first one I got from the collection and I guess that shows how this is my favorite from the bunch. It’s one of the most gorgeous colors I’ve ever seen. The mix of gold and burgundy is just so beautiful that I have been wearing this almost every day since I got this. The color and also the texture is so easy to use that I sometimes just use this solo with an eyeliner.

These eyeshadows are silky smooth which makes blending so easy. They’re also long wearing. I’ve had them on with a primer for more than 12 hours and I didn’t experience any creasings or fall outs. You don’t really need  a primer for better color payoff because these are highly pigmented, I just use the primer as it’s a part of my daily makeup routine.

These eyeshadows when swatched seem extremely shimmery or frosty, but when they’re on your eyes the frostiness or shimmers tones down a lot, so don’t worry, they’re great eyeshadows for a daytime look! And of course for a night out as well!

Laura Mercier Summer 2012 Belle Nouveau Collection – Nail Lacquer Lavender Cloud

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When I first saw this nail polish on display at the Laura Mercier’s counter, it was an “ooo” moment. This polish from the Belle Nouveau Collection looks absolutely beautiful, I just know that this purchase is totally justified since I don’t own anything like this.

Lavender Cloud is a pastel lavender color, and even though it reminds me of spring rather than summer, this is still so gorgeous that I could wear this whole summer. 

The first coat was extremely streaky, and the square cap that the brush is attached to didn’t help at all. Fortunately the second coat gives a full coverage, so it’s not that bad. You just have to be really careful when you apply the polish because you won’t have that much control of the brush when you hold the brush with the square cap.

This polish would be flawless if not for the square cap, but I still highly recommend this if you like the color. This polish is limited edition, so you have to act fast! You can find this at Laura Mercier counters in various Lane Crawford locations.