VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible "Faint"ation Skin BBBB Cream SPF30 - BB But Better review!

VMV Hypoallergenics - Validated hypoallergenic, ramdomized, blinded, published and awarded clinical studies since 1979. 100% Fragrance, Paraben, Preservative and Phthalete-free.

Doesn't that make you feel like your skin is in good hands?

I've been doing too much shopping off Luxola recently and one of the products I picked up was the Skintangible BBBB Cream from VMV Hypoallergenics. I know I know....I've got too many bottles of BBs, CCs and liquid foundations as it is...but...I'm sure 1 more bottle's fine~ =P *ambles away*

First off, I love the eco-friendly packaging that's glue-free! And all available surfaces are packed with information so there's lots to read if you're keen to~

Description: This barely-there, "dew"lightly non-makekup is tinted subtly, beautifully evening out skin tone and refining the complexion.

With antioxidants and purely mineral SPF sunscreens to protect against fine lines, hyperpigmentations and other signs of (photo) ageing. With monolaurin plus other monoglycerides - all coconut-derived, soothing, anti-acne and anti-inflammatory. Multi-purpose: It can be used alone as a barely there non-makeup that leaves the complexion incredibly natural looking yet "skintriguingly" more refined. It also works under makeup as a skin-friendly, skin-enhancing primer. 

A uniquely "can't-put-my-finger-on-it-but-wow-your-skin-look-awesome" finish that subtly evens out skin tone, imparts a soft glow + works alone or under makeup as a primer. Purely physical (inorganic) SPF30 protection too. One shade works for all skin tones.

Validated hypoallergenic: VH - 76/76. 100% All-Types-Of-Fragrance-Free. 100% Dye-Phyhalete + Paraben + Preservative-Free. Non-Comedogenic. Non-Drying. Non-Darkening. Usage + Patch-Tested. All Skin Types.

(VH - 76/76 rating means that this product has none of the 76 identified allergens.)

Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide: 2%, Zinc Oxide: 14%

Ingredients: Alumina, Aqua/Water/Eau, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Caprate, Glyceryl Laurate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicon, PEG100 Sterate, Simethicone, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Sodium Phytate, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

Above information extracted from VMV Hypoallergenics 

Comes in a little sturdy bottle with a pump and plastic cap....which strangely enough has a gap where the nozzle sticks out a little. Umm....I don't get it. While there hasn't been any incident of seepage, there have been instances when the little residue just inside the nozzle has stained (slightly) the inside of my makeup bag. But in the big picture, I guess that's not a big deal.

The term 'subtly tinted' might not be the first thing to mind as the product pumps out looking quite dark for my NC25 - 30 skin tone... But thankfully, the cream spreads easily and the colour blends well without affecting my original skin tone. See? Those with fairer skin like NC20 might find it too dark though..but I feel that if you're going to layer some powder, that'll even things out fine.

Oh by the way, 1 pump is sufficient for my entire face =) The BBBB cream lends a very slight dewy finish to my combination/oily skin that (thankfully) doesn't cause my face to degenerate into an oil slick throughout the day.

The term 'barely there' in the product description is right, there is little to no cover so I don't see how it's a 'BB but better' in that aspect. I also fail to see any sort of 'refining' effect. However, it performs GREAT as a primer. I used ONLY a layer of Bare Minerals compact powder on top of it and noticed that I got more coverage than usual and a smoother finish. PLUS my makeup stayed put much longer than before!

I like that the cream doesn't feel silicon-y, it feels just like any regular BB cream and doesn't leave any sort of visible layer or layering look on the skin. Also, the price is very affordable, S$24 for 12g on Luxola. Luxola has so many sales however that it's likely you can snag it for 20% off if you keep a lookout. I liked it as a base so much that I bought a 2nd bottle the moment the next Luxola sale came up!

In a nutshell, the VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible BBBB cream:

• hails from a reputable brand, stocked at Common Thread at Ion Orchard if you ever feel like checking out the products before purchase.
• affordably priced at S$24/12g on Luxola.
• comes in a thumb-sized sturdy glass bottle with an easily controlled pump nozzle. Design of the plastic cap poses a SLIGHT possibility of staining on the inside of the makeup pouch though.
• spreads easily and doesn't affect the tone of my NC25-30 skin tone despite dispensing a tad dark. Fairer skin like NC20 might have an issue but powdering can even things out.
• has SPF30 so it could also function as a 'tinted' sunblock.
• has little to no coverage, doesn't perform like a BB cream in that aspect but might be sufficient for you lucky peeps with good skin to begin with~
• imparts a very slight dewy finish to my combination/oily skin but doesn't develop into an oil slick.
• makeup goes on smoother and lasts much longer, got more coverage than usual from my Bare Minerals powder.
• doesn't go on feeling all silicon-y, feels just like a regular BB cream.
• doesn't leave any sort of 'layered with makeup' look when used with concealer and powder.
• didn't cause any sort of reaction on my skin, but then it IS a hypoallergenic cosmetic.

Overall, I'm ever so slightly bummed that it didn't give any coverage and didn't really improve the look of my skin when applied on its own. But it performs so well as a base and is really comfortable to have on. It's also very affordable and skin-friendly so until I come across something else, I guess I'm sticking to this find!

So if you've been looking for an affordable, light, skin-friendly makeup base without that silicon feel, check out the VMV Hypoallergenics BBBB cream~ I'd love to know how it works for you! =)

The Tokyo Affair 2014 - Matsumoto Kiyoshi Beauty Loot

Before I left for Tokyo I promised myself that there would not be a repeat of last year's frantic squishing of luggage, desperately trying to fit all my shopping into my bags.....and I did so well this year, that I came back with barely anything! Of course, it also helped to think of my overflowing 'beauty drawer' back home~ XP

Maybe it was because I was there with my husband. I didn't spend as much time browsing and only made 2 trips to the drugstore as opposed to...well...I dunno...8? =P

Let's start with the stuff in sachets!

From left: Choosy lip masks, hot bath salts, whitening bath salts

I'm a big fan of these hot bath salts, feels so good after I soak & sweat buckets! By the time I took this photo, I'd already used 4 packets of bath salts....totally regret not buying more =( But if I get desperate, there's always Nishino Pharmacy or Meidi-ya I guess~

These hydrogel lip masks look yummy and were available in soooo many colours! Everything from nude to reds, pinks and orange shades. They can also double as nipple masks. Yep, NIPPLE masks. I haven't tried them yet though.

Choosy lip masks in Milk and White Pearl (about 100 - 120yen each)

Dual use lip & nipple gel patch!

Formulated with Collagen, Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid, this hydrogel lip pack goes on after the lips are thoroughly cleansed. Leave on for anything between 5 - 30min and then gently peel off lips. Depending on which mask you choose, there are also other ingredients in the formula such as argan oil, grapefruit essence, jojoba seed oil, honey and aloe vera~

炭­酸宣言(tan san sen gen) Sparkling Water Pack - 388yen

 

This water pack supposedly will help expand the capillaries in the skin, allowing more oxygen to the skin. From my understanding, it basically improves circulation, activating skin cell metabolism whilst cleansing the pores, improving elasticity and moisture.

 

From the instructions I gather one should mix pack 1 with water then mix in pack 2, at which point a creamy foam will form. Next, immerse your face in the foam for as long or as many times as you want then rinse off with the remaining carbonated water (I'm presuming this is after the initial chemical reaction settles and the foam dissipates.). Pat dry and you're ready for makeup!

Next! Makeup!

(By the way, I am immensely proud that I didn't come back with like 12 different mascaras circa 2013. *fistpump*)

I got a few really basic items like lip gloss and nail polish from Kate cos it was just SOOOO cheap, as always~ And Maybelline Baby Lips in Sweet Beige! Why don't we have this colour in Singapore? Or have I been somehow blindsided again. =\ I actually also bought a lip concealer stick from Canmake...but....I...can't find it....=___=

Kate gloss & polish - 400yen each, Canmake eyebrow liquid - 540yen, Maybelline Baby Lips - 540yen

And then the new Cool BB Spray with UV from Esprique~

Esprique Cool BB Spray - 2,268yen

 

Cooling BB Spray formulated with hyaluronic acid, collagen and mint essence.....I played with the tester a little bit and only felt a little bit of the cooling effect, maybe it'll be more apparent when used over a larger area. Simply spray on a sponge and apply~

 

And that, is it for makeup. Amazing right?!??! Talk about downsizing!

 

In misc goods, I got a couple bottles of these clothes fragrance sprays! They smell SO GOOD! I spritz some on to clothes I'm gonna be wearing the next day or sometimes on my work clothes when they need freshening up. Again, something I regretting not buying more of.

 

Flair Fragrance - 299 yen (so cheap!!!)

And for my daily aching legs~

 

Night Aroma Cooling Sheets - 498yen & SlimWalk compression socks - 1,831yen

Now the cooling sheets were a godsend for the trip because they adhered really well and the cooling effect was really soothing on my aching calves~ I simply slapped them on every night and only removed them in the morning =)

 

The SlimWalk compressions socks/stockings were also pretty great because I have the first ones from Scholl and they were abit hot for Singapore....it's pretty gross to be sweating in them. These new ones are a summertime release and are designed to release any trapped heat, keeping you cool...and compressed! =)

 

Wow, that was really....not a lot of stuff! =\ *feels overly self-censored* I really need to establish a middle ground.... Well, hope you guys enjoyed this short post!

What's In The Bag - Tokyo Time!

It's that time of the year again! Off for my annual pilgrimage to the Land of the Rising Sun, Makeup & Fashion~

I really wanted to put in an entry before I left so I thought I'd share the contents of my makeup bag and accessories. Yeah yeah I know, this has 'filler post' written all over it >_<

Accessories first, I don't wear as much hardware as I used to back in the day but it's still an important part of my wardrobe...and these are my picks for the trip!

Unfortunately I can only tell that the 2 studded bracelets and chainmail-ish necklace were from H&M, the rest were from all over the place like Far East Plaza, online stores and previous trips. Oh excluding that Pandora bracelet up in the corner (^_^;;)

Really dig my 'good for a bit-o-luck' token that I got from a little store in Kichijoji last year~

And in the makeup section, I made a tiny pile.

=D

For base makeup, I brought:

• ClearLast Pore Smooth Base UV (purchased from Japan last year, probably gonna finish the tube this time)
• Clinique Even Better Foundation
• Kate Powderless Liquid for Cover
• Dasoda MG Mega Liquid Concealer

For eye make:

• Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 (Ok this one's for the face obviously =P)
• Maybelline the Rocket Volum' Express
• Maybelline Hypersharp Liner
• Too Cool for School 1 Day Tattoo Eyebrow

And lastly, lips:

• Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick (in Sundown, it's my perfect perfect nudie lipstick)
• Ultrasun Ultralip SPF30 lipbalm (first time I've had the word 'ultra' thrice in 2 lines haha)
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Stain Gloss
• Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lip Gloss
• Revlon Colorburst Matt Balm
• Sleek Makeup Pout Polish SPF15

And that's the small part of my packing that I wanted to share today~ =)

Hope I'll come back with a more manageable haul this year, looking forward to share them with you guys when I get back! =D *poof!*

Clinique Even Better Foundation - Better than BB?

I recently got my grubby hands on several bottles of foundation via a beauty swop meet with a girlfriend and Clinique's Even Better Foundation was one of them~ I think this was a Spring/Summer release back in 2012?

30ml / Retails at Changi Airport DFS for S$35 / Sephora USD27

Dermatologist developed, this foundation suits 2 - Dry Combination and 3 - Combination Oily skin and claims to help brighten and even skin tone as well as lighten spots gradually over 4-6 weeks with its cocktail of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, grapefruit peel, mushroom yeast extract and white birch extract.

Extracted from Clinique.com:

Wear oil-free, dermatologist-developed Even Better Makeup SPF 15 and something amazing happens: Without any makeup, see improved clarity, a more even skin tone, visibly diminished age spots. For all ethnicities. In just 4 to 6 weeks. Broad spectrum SPF helps protect against future darkening. For continued benefits even after you take it off, partner with Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.

Comes in 20 shades in the US but only 10 locally (boo~) so some may find that a tad restrictive. My girlfriend is slightly fairer than me (63 - Fresh Beige) but being quite light-handed makes this shade alright for my medium fair skin. Spreads and blends very easily so I only use a pearl-sized blob for my entire face!

Blends quite nicely as you see~



Yep, this amount. For my whole face~

I don't have any acne issues at the moment...so my main areas of concern are the sun spots/pigmentation around my temples.

With 1 layer of Clinique Even Better with concentration on temples

Coverage is exactly as the bottle says i.e Moderate. If my spots were just a tad lighter it might have been sufficient coverage but I find I need 2 layers or a light dusting of powder to have those spots concealed to satisfaction.

Here's a before and after comparison between absolutely no makeup and Clinique Even Better plus a very light layer of bareMinerals powder, Sleek Makeup Blush by 3, Canmake Balm Rouge and eye & brow liner~

Those are my new glasses from Furla =P Sorta in a love-hate relationship with 'em at the moment.. (>__<)

I think the Even Better liquid foundation is....ok. I like that it's light, blends well and doesn't oxidise or cake much with 2 or 3 layers except on my undereye area but that's pretty normal for me. The finish is neither powdery nor dewy on me so it looks au natural~ Holds up quite decently in our humid weather and on my combination oily skin. Touchups were required after about 6 hours even in an air-conditioned environment but this might be due to my light-handedness with it.

I can't say much about the evening or lightening of skin tone and age spots though as I'm juggling this with a couple other foundations I have open.

In a nutshell, Clinique's Even Better Foundation is:

•  A light creamy textured liquid foundation that gives natural-looking light to moderate coverage; for 2- Dry Combination and 3- Combination Oily skin types.
• Light sunblock capabilities; SPF 15/PA++, also claims to help even out skin tone and lighten spots with continued use.
• Not pricey per se but properties are easily comparable to drugstore options e.g Maybelline or Kate.
• Natural finish holds up decently in Singapore's humidity on my combi-oily skin with touchups required abt 6 hours in.
• Moderate coverage would be perfect for those with just light spots and zits to conceal.
• Doesn't oxidise or turn cakey with layering.

Would I buy this? Not likely.

I like the lightweight formula but with this level of finish and coverage, I'm inclined to think my usual drugstore BB creams can give this Clinique product a run for its money~

Just 'Dew' It - Maybelline Pure Mineral BB WaterGel~

Ok mah homies, this be another new favourite I purchased a couple weeks ago at its intro price of S$16.90~ I'm using it now in Tokyo! From the Japanese Maybelline range, this is the Pure Mineral BB WaterGel:

Usual price: S$19.90 at your usual drugstores

Not like I need more bb creams but the tester swatched quite nicely and the medium beige was such a good match~ And so cheap, it was a no brainer. And no regrets too as it turned out!

Some closer shots of the product:

I bought the Medium Beige which is the darker of the 2 shades available and it's quite the perfect match for my medium fair complexion!

In my mind I can't help but compare this to the KATE Mineral BB Gel Cream I reviewed last year. These are some of the differences straight up:

• KATE - S$25.50  vs Maybelline - S$19.90
• KATE - SPF30 / PA++  vs  Maybelline - SPF35 / PA+++
• KATE - Available in 3 shades  vs  Maybelline - Available in 2 shades
• KATE - Marketed as an all-in-one product i.e moisturizer, essence, sunblock and foundation vs Maybelline - Lightweight BB base that provides moisture with good coverage and sun protection

The fact that Maybelline offers a higher sun protection factor and is cheaper makes it that more desirable imo =)

Moving on!

Wanna be Forever Young~ =P

I'm not going to lie. I like falsies. I think they're fine, and a girl can use 3 pairs at the same time if she wants. No hating here. ^_^ I seldom use mine though. But I'm guilty of buying boxes of them whenever I get the notion that I want to put more effort into my makeup!

I just broke out a box that's been parked in my drawer for months! Glad I managed to get them on in just 1 try and that they're quite natural though thicker than what I used before~

Love the flushed look my Blush by 3 (Sleek Makeup) palette gives~ LOVE! Love the natural lip from L'Oreal's Shine Caresse~ LOVE! Love the enhancement to my lower lashes from Maybelline Lashionista~ LOVE! lol lots of love in this post hahaha~

This was also the first time I used the Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Perfect Eyeliner which didn't disappoint! No smudging despite being both outdoors n indoors for the next 5 hours~ Blush by 3 held up very well too~ No touchups (not even lipstick after dinner) for the 5 - 6 hours I was out and this is what I beheld when I got home:


Barely a budge from my makeup! ^__^

Products used today are:

Details:

• Kate Powderless Liquid for Cover - Ochre-D / OC-D
• Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 - Lace (used Crochet, first shade from the left) Review coming up!
• Maybelline Lashionista
• Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Perfect Eyeliner N - 02 Deep Brown
• L'Oreal Shine Caresse - Venus
• Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick - Sundown
• Hollywood False Eyelashes - TP008

In case anyone was wondering how the Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick fits into the whole equation, I used it as a lipliner that day, lining my outer lip then dabbing inwards before blending with the Shine Caresse. ^__^ It's my attempt at mimicking a youthful pout =P Did it work?

Have a good weekend everyone! xoxo

2012 Best Finds - Top 8

In a few hours, 2013 will be upon us! A New Year: new beauty finds, new fashions, new foods, new friends (maybe) =P At my age, one doesn't make friends easily. But I digress.

 

Here's a look back on my favourite finds this year! Almost all the items have repeat purchases so you know I really like them~ Just click on the product names for the respective reviews!

(Note: Item listing is in no particular order.)

1 - The Konjac Sponge *click*

For replacing unneccesary cleansers in my routine and starting my skin on the route to recovery and balance, clog-free!! And so cheap!

 

2 - Biore SaraSara Powder Sheets *click*

The best wet tissue with a fragrant powdery finish for muggy days, post-workout or for a quick freshen up before stepping out!

3 - Mentholatum Organic Certified lipbalm *clickity click*

After trying to many different brands and methods, finally a lipbalm that keeps my lips moisturised and chap-free in all climates, even the -20degree winter~ Best part is it's organic too!

 

Check out the other 5 candidates after the cut! ^__^

My Skin But Better - Kate Powderless Liquid for Cover Foundation

I've had this wonderful little bottle in my beauty drawer for a little over a month now and honestly nearly forgot to review it because I have the attention span of a goldfish >_<

Kate Powderless Liquid for Cover (30ml) - S$34 at Watsons

Foundation is very important to me. It's like the foundation of a building, very important when you start construction! A good foundation sets a good canvas for the rest of your makeup. Or at least that's how I feel =)

First off, I really like the packaging! Small and light! My previous liquid foundation came in a elongated glass pump bottle, not the most outdoor-friendly especially for rough types like me ^__^v The pump is also quite easy to control after getting the initial air out of the way.

A look at the back-of-the-box info:

I bought the Ochre D (OC-D) which turns out to be a PERFECT PERFECT match for my medium fair skin =D I previously bought the Kate BB Gel Cream in OC-B, which gave my face a slightly more radiant colour after evening out with loose powder but OC-D is perfect without any powder tweaking~

A look at the hand swatch:



See? Perfect match!!

Now on the face:



From Left: No makeup >> 1 layer of Kate Powderless Liquid >> added spot layering of Powderless Liquid for more coverage

Absolutely love it! Application was a dream even though I read that for some users the liquid settled in the stated 15sec so they found blending a tad rushed but it was fine for me. The Powderless Liquid is light and doesn't leave any oily or sticky feeling, with a fairly matte finish. Coverage was good, medium but buildable, and held up very well for my 10 hours out. Nicely done Kate!

In short, Kate Powderless Liquid for Cover:

• comes in a nice lightweight black & beige pump bottle, approximately palm-sized.
• the pump is easy to control, you're not likely to accidentally end up with a blobby mess.
• product spreads and blends easily, though dilly-dallying is discouraged due to the 15sec setting time =p
• used about 2 pumps for my whole face
• liquid settles quickly into a fairly matte, powdery finish with no oily or sticky feeling developing throughout the day, a slight shine did emerge after about 5 hours though
• no need for additional dusting of loose powder
• coverage is sheer to medium and buildable for light concealing
• product holds up very well on my combination skin, for almost a full 12 hours both in and outdoors

Basically, I love love love this~~ Really gave me the my-skin-but-better look!

Have you tried the Kate Powderless Liquid for Cover? Did you love it did you did you? =D

Looking Fresh with Kanebo Freshel High Cover Base

As you've noticed by now, I have a definate weakness for Japanese brands. I was on a Kanebo Freshel kick earlier this year but only used the BB cream, Cleansing and Whitening Cream >_< Luckily I keep the Kanebo Freshel stash right up front of my beauty drawer and I eventually got to using the High Cover Makeup Base which I'd bought from Phuket~ I haven't seen it in Singapore but I'm pretty sure you can get it in Thailand, Taiwan, HongKong and Japan(duh).

Kanebo Freshel White C Makeup Base High Cover
Approx S$20 overseas (Original Price 1,000yen)

I have high anticipations for this as I'm also a big fan of the Freshel White C BB Cream!

A look at the back-of-the-box info:

As usual, a general translation was the best I could do T_T

So how does this high cover makeup base perform?

Quad Royale-ing~

I took the Edward Bess Quad Royale for a test drive last week~ Having seen such nice reviews, I was hoping it would look just as gorgeous on me!

In case you've forgetten, this is the Quad Royale Face Illuminator and Colour from Edward Bess.



Quad Royale Shade 03: Summer in Capri ; S$56 from Luxola.com

Opening My Wallet @ the Edward Bess Open House

At the Edward Bess Open House last week, I really wasn't intending to buy anything. I just wanted to pop down, take a look at the full range, play with some testers and leave before my credit card squirmed its way out of my purse.

Makeup display to some, minefield for others.

The simple display didn't take anything away from the quality of the products.

KATE Mineral BB Gel Cream - Is it a gel or cream?

You're no stranger to BB Creams by now but I think this is a fairly recent addition in Singapore...just launched in May 2012~ I was really drawn to the idea of a BB Gel =)



S$25.50 from Watsons

This discovery comes after I've been using my Kanebo White C BB cream faithfully for almost a year which is really good too but when I noticed the almost S$10 difference (Kate is a makeup sub-brand under Kanebo btw), I had to try it!