Sass, Style & Substance for February 7, 2010

STYLEnosh
Can you really trust that online review?

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher reviews Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser.

Splendicity Accessories
Do you like to shop with a conscience? Then you’re definitely going to want to check out these gorgeous silk scarves from Mekong Blue – a Cambodian group of silk weavers.



image: Stock.xchg

Skincare Review: Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser

(image from www.elemis.com)

Launched this year, Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser is one of the latest products from Elemis.

The cleanser has a very creamy texture and is applied onto dry skin. It is then left for one minute and removed with the cotton mitt (which comes with the cleanser) and warm water. (The cotton mitt also gently exfoliates the skin while removing the cleanser.)

(The Elemis website mentions that warm water can be mixed with the product before application. I think this way of applying the product may suit those who think it is too densely creamy.)

The product contains quite a few ingredients that are in many typical moisturizers, such as caprylic/capric triglyceride, shea butter, cetearyl alcohol, and beeswax. It is mainly these emollients that help dissolve makeup.

The cleanser removes light makeup effectively. However, it is not able to remove waterproof mascara. (I tested it on Maybelline's Volum' Express Waterproof, and it was not able to remove it.)

After removing the cleanser with the cotton mitt and warm water, I find that there is an emollient film on the skin, which would not fare well with my oily skin. (I use a face wash to wash off the residue.)

Because of the occlusive emollients that this cleanser contains, I would suggest this cleanser to those with dry or very dry skin. Also, because of the exfoliating action of the cotton mitt, I would suggest this cleanser to those whose skin is not particularly sensitive and can cope with gentle daily exfoliation. (The cleanser itself is relatively gentle. It is the exfoliating action of the cotton mitt that may not appeal to those with sensitive skin.)

(During the launch period, Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser and the cotton mitt come with a 15ml Pro-Collagen Marine Cream (reviewed earlier here).)

(The product featured in this review is provided by Elemis.)


Posts (on other facial-cleansing products):

Can't Live Without: RMK Cleansing Oil

My Current Staple: Simple Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash

L'Oréal De-maq Expert Velvet Creme Wash Expert Make-up Remover

Primavista Spring/Summer 2010 Base Makeup Release

(image/info from www.cosme.net)

Sofina Primavista will release Long Keep Base (SPF 10, PA+) in Japan on February 22nd as the line's spring/summer 2010 base makeup item. Like many of the foundation bases released by Japanese makeup lines, it is claimed to be resistant to sebum and perspiration.


Related posts on Primavista:

Fall/Winter 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Spring/Summer 2009 Base Makeup Collection

Powder Foundation Moist Touch

RMK Spring/Summer 2010 Base Makeup Release

(image/info from www.urcosme.com)

RMK will release Gel Emulsion Compact (7 shades, SPF 27, PA++) as the spring/summer 2010 base makeup item.

It is a gel-cream foundation that is claimed to have a light-weight consistency as well as a good coverage. It is also supposed to be both moisturizing and long-lasting.



Related posts on RMK:

Powder Foundation EX

Ingenious Powder Eyes

Spring 2010 Point Makeup Collection

Paul & Joe Spring/Summer 2010 Base Makeup Releases

(images/info from www.cosme.net)

Paul & Joe will release its spring/summer 2010 base makeup items in Japan on March 1st. The new items include:

- Protective Powder Compact Foundation (above, 6 shades, SPF 22, PA++)

- Protective Foundation Primer UV (1 new shade (02 Honey), SPF 40, PA++)

Related posts on Paul & Joe:

Spring 2010 Point Makeup Collection

Holiday 2009 Collection

Loving Japanese Cosmetics (3 of 7): Paul & Joe

Sass, Style & Substance for January 31, 2010

Beauty Match
Drew Barrymoore make-up 2010 SAG Awards.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher decided to get MAC's Odd Couple.

Splendicity Accessories
The fashion community has banded together to help raise funds for Haiti. Here are a few different sites that are donating proceeds from their sales to help.



image: Stock.xchg

Stash Update: Coffret D'Or

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

I have got Coffret D'Or's Jewelicious Eyes in 05 Purple Amethyst (from spring 2010) and Color Mixing Eyes in 01 Orange Brown Mix (from summer 2009).

I will review the Jewelicious Eyes palette first later on since it is this season's item.

MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo in Odd Couple

As many of you might already know, I don't buy products from MAC very often. The main reason is that makeup products from Japanese brands appeal to me a lot more. But, once in a while, some items do attract my attention.

MAC's Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo in Odd Couple was from the Electro Flash collection back in July 2008. As far as I know, the Mineralize Eye Shadow Duos in this collection were limited editions in the US. But they seem to be regular items in the UK.

I was back and forth about Odd Couple for quite a while. I swatched the colors at the counter for several times since a few months ago, and I was speculating that the warm gold might be too bronze for me. Plus the violet was very similar to the one in Shiseido Maquillage's Forming Shiny Eyes in 52. The lilac veins in the warm gold were what made me decide to get it in the end, as they created an interesting lilac undertone.

I was surprised at how understated the warm gold turned out to be. It is not too warm, too bronze, or too vibrant. It goes on sheer in the beginning but it can be layered. I do think the lilac veins tone down the bronze quite nicely, and the lilac undertone does show up on the eyes.

I like wearing the violet close to the lashlines as a lining color. The shade is warmer and more purple than how it looks in the photo above, and it is less shimmery than the warm gold. The vibrancy of the shade lasts well.

I am glad that I did go for it. The warm gold with lilac veins is a shade I didn't have, and it turned out to be more wearable than how I expected it to be. I certainly think I will be paying a little more attention to future Mineralize Eye Shadow releases in the future.


Related posts:

Alexander McQueen for MAC Eye Shadow in Haunting

Fafi for MAC

A Splash of Color: More Lilting Lilac