Review: Chanel Natural Finish Pressed Powder

Hello folks! Chanel's Natural Finish Pressed Powder (Poudre Universelle Compacte) is the key product for review today. I've been using this pressed powder for over 2 months and decided that it was time to put something down in black and white.

Chanel created this pressed powder to produce a translucent, natural matte finish (not flat matte). It is ultra fine and light weight, to be used after your foundation or after your face makeup. There is also a slight tinge of floral fragrance to the powder. Do not use this powder if you are looking for a medium to heavy powder coverage. 

The ingredients are:
Talc, Nylon-12, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Magnesium Myristate, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Magnesium Stearate, Boron Nitride, Isopropyl Lanolate, Aluminium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate,  Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum (Fragrance), tocopherol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glyceryl oleate, Citric Acid

I love the sleek compact black packaging that comes with it (well, it's channel afterall!). There's also an applicator puff that comes with it but I generally prefer to use my own powder brush to pick up the powder. There's also a mirror in the package, so its really simple and easy to use on the go, for touch-ups or for setting make-up.

With talc being it's first ingredient, it is no wonder that the powder is so fine and light. While the product does not guarantee to be oil-free nor shine-free, it does allow my make up to stay matte for a good number of hours (8 - 5pm). It is also relatively lightweight such that you do not feel an uncomfortable layer of powder on your face. It doesn't create the kind of over-powdered look which some other powders may give. Most importantly, as my face is really sensitive, I was amazed that this powder did not give me any breakouts or rash despite the floral scent.

However this powder range has only 4 colour choices - clair 20; naturel 30, dore 40, muscade 140 - which I felt was a little limiting. I was matched with a 30 naturel despite my Chanel matlumiere foundation being 20 clair. I guess this was to avoid me looking like a geisha of sorts. Chanel also has another range of oil-free powder which was only suitable for ladies with a really oily texture and needed proper oil-control powders. Otherwise Chanel's Natural Finish Pressed Powder would work for normal to combination skin ladies.

How does it look versus some peers?

When compared to Loreal True Match Super Blendable Powder which is much heavier, Chanel's powder wins hands down for me. Loreal's powder has only 3 shades, of which none really works for me. Also, it's not oil-free, leaving my face looking greasy by midday. Chanel's pressed powder doesn't do the same!

I would also like to compare this against Bobbi Brown's Sheer Finish pressed powder and Laura Mercier's Loose powder. When put against BB's pressed powder, I felt that Chanel's oil control abilities were much better and it also felt lighter than BB's product. Unfortunately, BB does have a wider range of colours which may help to match our face shades better. Lastly, when put up against LM's loose powder, I felt that both worked wonders with different foundations. Chanel's powder had a little more coverage than LM's but LM's mattifying properties edges over Chanel's pressed powder slightly. Still, both powder's key ingredients are talc, which in essence is simply powder.

Summary

In short, I love this powder as I generally prefer lightweight makeup but the price tag at S$72.00 is pretty hefty! I would use this concurrently with my Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder.

At last, Laura Mercier in Singapore!

I made my round at the Laura Mercier shelves at Sephora, Ion Orchard, Singapore this evening! Unfortunately I came back a tad disappointed. First off the SAs were not very helpful and does not seem to know much about the LM products that were on the shelves and unlike Sephora in the states, there were no samples. Due to the bad service and change in LM products since I last saw in the States, I only went home with LM's Translucent Loose Setting Powder.

So here's my first impression/quick verdict of the items I tried. 

(a) Laura Mercier's Oil Free Supreme Foundation - New in stores as at April 2012 - RRP S$68 at Sephora Singapore

Chanel's AquaLumiere Foundation -
pic taken from Chanel

I had tested LM's previous oil-free foundation in the States and was quite impressed with it. Unfortunately LM decided that they would get rid of it and replaced it with their 'Oil Free Supreme Foundation'. Like previously, I was matched with Sunny Beige. However this time round, it was alot tougher to test it out on my hands! The texture like spreading unmelted-almost-hardened cream cheese or butter feeling! I made a comment and the SA told me "oh oil-free products are typically thicker and harder to spread"! Imagine that statement! Don't buy into that. Just pop into Chanel (Beauty) at Ion and they will happily show you AquaLumiere, their oil-free foundation, which fyi, is a world of difference from LM's new product. Ok these statements does not consider the fact that LM's oil free supreme foundation is medium to full coverage as informed by SA while Chanel's Aqualumiere was sheer coverage. Still, I was disappointed with LM's new oil-free foundation formula. It is certainly not lightweight and doesn't glide on at all. I also took the formula outdoor, hoping that it does have some redeeming factors... unfortunately, I felt that it oxidised quite a fair bit and turned slightly orangey. I do not think that this is a foundation that I will purchase. I was utterly disappointed. 

Laura Mercier's Oil Free Supreme Foundation
- picture taken from hotbeautyhealth.com

(b) Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 - RRP S$68 at Sephora Singapore

Laura Mercier's Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer - picture taken from miss wiggle.blogspot.com

This remains as I last saw it. You can see some swatches at Miss Wiggle's blog. While I'm not a fan of tinted moisturizer, this is what I call lightweight. It is sheer and doesn't settle into fine lines. It sort of leaves a 'glittery' finish when light shines at certain angle. This is something which you may want to becareful with especially if you already have oily-to-combination skin. More shimmers and glitter will make you appear more 'oily' if not well applied and combined with other facial make-up. 

Benefit's You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer

Well, this Oil Free tinted moisturizer is certainly better than Benefit's You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer which I feel clogs pores and provides an unnatural finish. (This product caused me alot of breakouts! sobs) 

(c) Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Powder -- RRP S$58 at Sephora Singapore

LM continued to use the same formula for their translucent powder, whose main ingredient is Talc. Yes you didn't read wrong, that's powder. The texture is so fine that it will sit nicely on your skin. However the price tag is a little hefty for powder. Still it's 1oz in volume and it should last you for some time!

When I used it previously, it does help to keep my skin oil-free for most of the day. However, that was the period where I was largely in Australia. I'll try it out in humid Singapore and let you know if I see the same results. Look out for my review once I've tested enough! 

Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Powder

That's all for now folks.. I doubt you'll be seeing much of me lurking at LM's shelves... 

Burberry Fresh Glow

Introducing my recent favourite - Burberry Fresh Glow! 

I love it that the first ingredient is water!
Ingredients

So what's this Fresh Glow i'm raving about?
As described previously, this is a primer base which is typically used before foundation. This primer brightens up the face and leaves my make-up on for almost the whole day! It is meant to give a natural looking glow to our faces!

It leaves the skin supple with a pink healthy glow, please note that it is not colourless. Still, it is very light weight and you barely feel the formula. To some, it might be important to note that it is odourless!
I also love the fact that there's rose water extract and vitamin included in the formula which are two key ingredients necessary for the skin!

Since Fresh Glow is so sheer, it can be also used as a highlighter and eye primer (i.e. after foundation). I've dabbed some over my lids after my eyeshadows, where Fresh Glow delightfully perked the lids even more and it didn't even have to touch up any of my eyecolors or eyeliner (non-waterproof/smudge proof pencil - I typically have to use a gel liner) for the rest of the day!

On lazy weekends, Fresh Glow can be worn without any foundation or make-up. Of course, this does not give you your flawless face since concealer, foundation and other support are missing - i.e. there's no coverage. It just helps to perk up the dull complexion a little!

A small amount of Fresh Glow is sufficient for my face!

See the two swatches, the right one is halfway massaged in without much effort! Notice the Sheer Glow yet?

I've fully blended the Fresh Glow in on the LHS. See the dewy glow!

Mixing my foundation & Fresh Glow

TIP: A tip here to share which I picked up from the Burberry beauty teacher, Celestine. Its ok to blend Burberry Fresh Glow with your liquid foundation to apply together like a moisturizer! (See Above for blend and results below)

I'm not sure how clear this picture is but LHS shows just my foundation which is slightly duller while the RHS is the blend of foundation + Fresh Glow! Its looks more supple with some reflective glow! 

I'm falling in love with Burberry Make-up! I've a keen bias towards natural/nude shades make-up... so Burberry Beauty has won me over by emphasizing on both natural and sheer make-up!

In comparison to my almost 5-year companion primer -- Shu Uemura Mousse Base (Pink/Beige) - I must say that although Burberry Fresh Glow comes in a gel formula, the latter is still lighter than the mousse after application. The Mousse base does smoothen out the skin but does not keep my make-up as long as the Fresh Glow and sometimes appear to dry my skin out. Additionally, the Mousse Base does not provide the healthy glow which Fresh Glow does. Still, the Shu Uemura mousse formula is amazingly light for a base with spf included. Pls note at this point that the Fresh Glow is free of any Sunblock ingredients i.e. no SPF protection. Hence, on my lazy weekends, if its just going to be Fresh Glow, I'll use my moisturizer, Shu Uemura Mousse Base then Fresh Glow. This is because I don't use any other face sunblock products.

No doubt Burberry Fresh Glow is pretty pricey at S$70, go have some fun and try it out at the counters! If there's just one product you got to get from Burberry - go for Fresh Glow. Oh but as with all products in a bottle, pls SHAKE before you use the formula! Most people forget to do that with Fresh Glow!

Retail Price in Singapore - S$70 incl. GST

I give this 4 out of 5 smooches! Score: ♥♥♥♥/♥♥♥♥♥
[The missing smooch is due to i) the expensive price tag and ii) my short usage period thus far - only 1 week! I want to leave some room to evaluate this product more! - Feb 2012]


Upcoming reviews: Moogoo Super Vitamin C Eye Serum; Drug Store Make-up Removers; Moo Goo Oil Cleansing Method; Biotherm Skin.Ergetic, Anna Sui Super-Black Volume Up Mascara


Pls note that I was not provided any sample or paid by Burberry Beauty to write this product review. Products shown here are paid for by myself. 

Burberry Beauty School

Sorry for the 2 week break ladies! Work was insane! That explains the need for really good and effective skincare! Quoting the words of my burberry beauty instructor - Celestine - "if you don't see your skin care working for you, its not doing its job. Time to change!"

Yup I'm here today to talk about my 2 hours make-up course with Burberry beauty! I must say that it was an insightful, hands-on and awesome 2 hours!

We went through the whole process of applying a beautiful face makeup including choosing the right foundation and eye colors!

Right foundation: try it on from your cheekbone downwards, closer to your neck line. The correct foundation shade is one where you feel most comfortable and should blend into your neck color.

Then again, no such beauty school is without some marketing, where I was properly introduced to burberry makeup for the first time! Their key emphasis was creating a flawless face with sheer makeup. Sheer in their sense means light-weighted yet sufficient coverage. Sheer would also allow you to touch up easily and also put on a couple of layers without worrying that its going to look too cakey!

Anyway back to some tips that I picked up during the class
♥ prime your face and eye area before putting on make-up
♥ concealer can be used to highlight nose bridge/ T-zone

Burberry Fresh Glow

♥ when using brush to pick up powder, do not use the tip, use one side to pick up powder and the other side to blend in circular motion
♥ can mix 2 or more color blush to pick up more color depth
♥ emphasize eyes by defining crease


And I'm so impressed by 2 of their items, i'm highly recommending them:
1) Burberry Fresh Glow - a luminous primer base for your face/eye lips - a good perk-me-up! There's also wild rose extract in it which is generally good for scars and the skin! It provides your face a dewy light shimmer finish to ensure you glow for the day!

The awesome mascara!

2) Burberry Mascara - wow they lengthened my eyelashes and kept them full! a super wow! They also don't smudge and clump even though it wasn't outrightly stated that this is a smudge-proof nor waterproof mascara; just a simple weather-proof mascara. The brush is also jagged between long-short which gives the lashes a good brush, love this loads! Comes in 4 colors!

They also introduced their spring/summer collection.. the additions are...

Eye color: pale barley is the newest eye color. It wasn't particularly suited for light skined Asian skin but if you'd like a brownish shimmer color, then do check it out! I personally find tea rose and pale rose more suited for me! Still, its a personal preference!

Burberry Pale Barley (No 22) EyeShadow

4 new lip colors: Tulip pink (no 2), devon sunset (no 28), golden peach (no 29) and primrose hill pink (no 30)



primrose hill pink is an awesome statement color! But if you're bias towards nude and pale tones, try tulip pink layered with the nude rose lip gloss (no 14).

Tulip Pink (No 2)

2 new lip gloss colors: hibicus (bo 13) and nude rose (no 14). I personally like nude rose (yes boring plain jane I know) along side their older colors such as Blush (no 04).

Awesome Awesome colors! Pls refer to the beauty lookbook for swatches!

Primrose Hill Pink (No 30)

Currently, there's only 1 burberry counter in Singapore since August 2011 at Tangs Orchard. However, it has been around since 2010. A pretty new brand but good quality products I must say!

Masks or Masques?

I've been trying out this new range of masks from SkinLite (www.skinlite.com), yet another beauty brand from Korea alongside FaceShop, Skinfood, Etude house etc.

So this range of masks is apparently 100% natural pulp , which prevent skin trouble and provides a closer adhesion to the face. So I tried a couple of masks from this range and felt that yes, it indeed does adhere better to the face. In addition, the moisture in mask does not evaporate as fast! It managed to moisture my face for a good 30 minutes before I unwillingly removed the mask and massaged the moisture into the face.

I like the Vital Nourishing Red Ginseng Mask which has both collagen and witch hazel extract. Witch Hazel is good for wounds and dried blemishes. Still one should avoid using masks on blemishes, acne, pimples and sunburned skin!

Enjoy this new alternative brand!

I can't resist sharing these 2 pretty gowns! Just look at the back of this pretty gown!

obtained from http://www.lovelybride.com/blog/

and this pretty floral gown...!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Lets start off my new beauty hoards and skin care treasures blog with some beauty quotes!


Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


“It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart.” - Anon

This blog came about as I started to pay more attention to the stuff I was using on my face, my body and my hair after an eczema breakout upon returning from an overseas trip! I noticed that certain chemicals were bad in general but formed major portions of various skin care products and even in make-up. So well, this blog will remind me which products are good and which I have found to be bad for my skin. I'll probably also add in some two cents about make up brushes, or any other beauty hoards like nail polishes and other random buys! I may also share about my eczema experience and dealing with it since I live in hot and humid Singapore and I personally feel that there's a lack of eczema skincare support in this little island as compared to Aussie, UK and USA where there are formal associations formed and many many creams and non-steriod topical creams developed for eczema healing. 

So yes, I've got loads to share with you and I'm really excited about sharing and hearing from you guys! Meanwhile, please also be patient with me as I'm just a newbie starting out in this new area. I'll probably be using alot of layman terms as my knowledge of jargons and lingos in this area is far and limited! 

For my inaugural post, I'd just like to share my purchase today - Shiseido's foundation brush! I've yet to use it but I've read/heard so much about it that I couldn't resist it; especially with it priced at SGD 40! I was in luck, it was the last available piece at the counter! 

Here's some pictures, my commentary will be up after a few tries at it! It is not a huge brush nor your typical expected foundation brush size but its handy and I do like the bristles alot! They are well angled and yet soft at the same time, obviously they do not prickle as well! However as you can tell from my picture on the left, it is really tiny. The small picture on the bottom right compares my sigma F40 large angled contour blusher brush; the shiseido brush ended up about half the size! 


However, I did hear that there's a certain way to use this brush well. It can used for both liquid and compact foundations. Enjoy the video (unfortunately it is in cantonese)!

Update after 1 week of use: This brush is awesome! I typically deep cleanse my brushes on a weekly basis and sometimes my brushes will accumulate the amount of make-up over the days and application performance would obviously deterioriate throughout the week. However this foundation brush does not have this issue! I use it daily with my liquid foundation. It not only spreads evenly even on Day 7 of the week but the bristles continue to feel soft and comfortable! I love this brush and if you're using liquid foundation and sick of using sponges, do turn to this, its the perfect foundation brush as the name calls it! Remember to learn the correct way of using this brush though, otherwise you'll not see the pure goodness and beauty of this sweet little thing! 

Unfortunately I don't use any compact foundations but during the demo by the sales lady when I bought the brush, it did apply equally well! I'm labeling this as a "must-have"!! 

My Summarized Review: At only SGD 40, this is a relatively affordable foundation brush which is totally worth it. Look forward to smooth and flawless applications to set a good base for the rest of the makeup! Absolutely hearts this product, its going into one of favourite items category! 


I give this 5 out of 5 smooches! Score: ♥♥♥♥♥/♥♥♥♥♥