Reading List

Here are some posts that I've enjoyed reading this week:

Addiction will be introducing Lip Crayons next, see 005 Paprika on Abe Sawako's blog. SoLonelyinGorgeous has a great review of the Addiction Eye Lacquers and Eyeliner Pencils.

Sneak peek of NARS x Andy Warhol on the Makeup Museum.

Urban Decay Vice and Naked Basics palettes posted by their Global Makeup Artist Eric Jimenez on Instagram (username: ericjimenezud). Heard that he will be visiting Singapore again in October!

Check out the new Shiseido Lacquer Rouge, including the four Asia-exclusive shades, on FacesbySarah, Makeup Stash, Makeup Blogette, and Joey'space, who is also featured in this video on Herworld. Shiseido Singapore is holding workshops and makeovers from 22-26 August at Vivocity (details on Herworld as well).

MyWomenStuff's blogging tips on not plagiarising from other bloggers.

Alice's gorgeous looks with the fall collections by Guerlain, Maquillage, YSL and NARS.

Delicate Hummingbird's review of Armani Eyes To Kill #28.

Also, FeelUnique is having a huge summer sale, including 15% off YSL (that includes the new Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation). I'm saving my pennies for the Becca Ultimate Colour Glosses, but I'm still waiting for the new Beach Tints to arrive.

Cosme Decorte AQMW Christmas Coffret 2012 and Lissage Anniversary Coffret

Now here's a beautiful gem for the holidays from Cosme Decorte AQMW. The champagne rose colored Christmas Coffret 2012 (7875yen) evokes the romance of a rose garden. It contains an eyeshadow palette, loose powder, lipgloss and powder puff. Due out on 1 November in Japan.

Equally delightful is this Lissage Anniversary Make Coffret (9975yen) which will be released on 16 November in Japan. A collaboration with Disney, the set features illustrations from Cinderella and contains Nuance Fit Eyes, Blush Veil, Essence Rouge Gloss, Liquid Eyeliner and Long Curl Mascara (mini size), all in limited edition shades.

Addiction Ayako on BeauTV

Here's a promo clip of Addiction Creative Director Ayako being interviewed on BeauTV Voce by model Jessica Michibata, who declared herself a big fan of the brand. The interview is set to air on 17 August.

Essence New Products and Store Display

The Essence display in my local supermarket was overhauled yesterday with a massive slew of new products. The new Colour & Go nail polishes are CHF2.75 for 8ml, versus CHF1.95 for 5ml previously. Many of the shades look similar to the previous line-up. Some popular shades have not made the transition though, like #78 Blue Addicted, a dupe for Deborah Lippman's Across the Galaxy so do snag that quickly if you've been thinking about it.


Crackle polishes.

Colour & Change polishes.

Nail art tools.

Plastic nail rings that can be decorated with nail polish and re-used.

New base makeup including Pure Skin foundation, powder and concealer for the acne-prone, 2in1 Make-up & Powder which can be applied wet or dry, and Make-up To Match foundation which adapts to skin tones.



Fruit-flavoured Kiss Care Love Lipbalms, which are also part of the New In Town trend edition.

Colour Arts Pigments and bases.



New Quattro Eyeshadow quads #11 Sea My Day and #12 Purple Day

I picked up Colour & Go 133 Oh My Glitter!, the Glowing In The Dark Topper and Studio Nails Pro White Rosé, which is a nail whitener to help cover up yellowness. Glowing in the Dark Topper actually glows only under black light (e.g. in clubs) and not in the absence of light (disappointingly), so unless you're a club-goer, it's pretty useless.

The key improvement of the Color & Go polishes, which are made in France, is the broader brush which makes for easier application. The cap is wider and easier to hold. Oh My Glitter is a darker version of 86 A Lovely Secret, with the same violet microshimmer.


The new brush felt very similar to the Dior Vernis brush in terms of the length and thickness, with the latter having a slightly more tapered cut.

Here's a quick swatch of two coats of Oh My Glitter over one coat of Pro White Rosé. The new Colour & Go formula applies smoothly and dries in a few minutes, but I still prefer to use Dior Top Coat for a truly budgeproof, shiny finish.

Paul & Joe 10th Anniversary Kit

Paul & Joe 10th Anniversary Kit (10,500yen) will be released on 1 October in Japan. It includes a Pressed Powder Duo A 001 (soft pearl pink and clear matte beige), Face Color A 001 (happy pink and coral pearl), five eye colors and a floral print pouch with denim accents. See more pics on Biteki.com. Hopefully, this kit will be available on ASOS.com, Beautyhabit.com or Beautybay.com at a more affordable price.

Starting 1 September, there will be a limited edition Powder Compact Foundation Kit (8925yen) which includes the Powder Compact Foundation, Moisturising Foundation Primer N SPF15 PA+, Moisture Lotion N 25ml, Facial Treatment Oil 5ml and a pelican print pouch.

RMK, Guerlain and Origins Events

RMK Deep Iridescence collection will be launched on 7 September in Singapore. There will be a series of hands-on workshops with a Japanese makeup artist at Isetan Scotts from 7-9 September, which you can sign up for through the Isetan website. The registration fee is $100 for 1 person, or $180 for two people, fully redeemable for products.

Guerlain's fall collection, featuring the new Rouge G L’Extrait and Rose Aux Joues Blush Duos will be launched at Sephora Ion on 16 August. You can read reviews of Rouge G L'Extrait on Cafe Makeup, Pleasureflush and Joey'space, and the Blush Duos on Gorgeousskin and Pleasureflush and Best Things in Beauty. After swatching the Blush Duos, I felt that while they do have silky textures and flattering shades to suit a wide variety of skin tones, they didn't feel special enough to be must-haves for me.

Experience free mini facials at Origins in Tangs Vivocity from 23-26 August. Simply call 6734-1660 to book an appointment.

Weekly Photo Challenge - Hey, how was your week?

Joining in Yumeko's weekly photo challenge again!

1. Something you ate this week

Vienetta ice cream cake is a childhood favourite that I recently re-discovered, thanks to my husband. The best part is the crisp chocolate layers interspersed throughout!

Breakfast at Paul.

A simple lunch by the lake.

2. Something you bought this week

The new Essence Colour Arts collection features 20 loose pigments which can be mixed into the eye base, lip base and nail base.

I picked up the pigments in 06 WOW It's Orange, 09 Be My Brightsmaid and 19 Kiss The Frog, plus the Multi-tasker, a soft silicon spatula applicator that can be used for mixing and applying the pigments.


3. Something you wore this week

Discovered this week that Becca Eye Tint in Romanticism makes a fabulous base for Shu Uemura glitter eyeshadows, outperforming Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I've also been testing out Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush 50 Plum Wine, which is lovely except that the blush arrived completely dislodged from the metal pan and stuck to the lid. Jill Stuart Blush Blossom 07 Charming Lily is great for everyday wear. And I hit pan on my Dior Diorskin Forever Compact foundation!

4. Something you read this week

My dear sweet husband hunted down the September issues of Glamour and Elle UK for me, scoring the free Jemma Kidd I-Glamour Define Eyeliner 03 Blue with the latter.

5. Something that made you smile this week

The lilies and gladiolus finally bloomed in my garden, after months of watering them daily.


A great place for spending a lazy summer day is the Lavaux vineyard terraces by the lake near Lausanne.


If you would like to join in the fun, just leave a comment on Yumeko's post and here with a link to your blog post, and I'll be sure to check it out!

RMK Website Update: Deep Iridescence

The RMK website has been updated with the Deep Iridescence collection, including a video clip on the shooting of the ad visual by Michael Thompson and featuring Dutch model Mirte Maas.


There's a short tutorial for creating the look below by using Deep Iridescent Eyes 03 Iridescent Navy, Creamy Sheer Powder Cheeks 02 Pink Beige and W Irresistible Lips 03 Beige.

Anna Sui New Bodycare

Anna Sui will release the following new bodycare and accessories on 4 October in Japan.

Rose Body Cream (3150yen, 150g): Moisturising body cream with a rich tea rose scent. See more pics on Kuri's Beauty Report.

Hand Cream in tea rose, berry and herbal citrus scents (1890yen each). These contain shea butter and jojoba oil.

Makeup Tray (2100yen) - This looks nicely crafted based on the pic on Kyoko Iida's blog.


Gift Package (315yen for S size, 420yen for M size)

Visee Mineral Liquid Cheeks and new Mineral Base Makeup

Visee will release a new Mineral Liquid Cheeks (1155yen, 10g) in 5 shades plus a mineral liquid foundation, concealer and loose powder on 21 August in Japan. Formulated with four types of mineral powders, the Mineral Liquid Cheeks are designed to be lightweight and non-sticky to provide a translucent, natural hint of color with a soft focus finish.

The pic below shows PK801 (right) and RD400. See a swatch of it on Maquia.

Pic below from Storyweb shows OR200. I'll be visiting Tokyo in a couple of weeks, will definitely pick up a couple to try!


Available in five shades, the Mineral Liquid Foundation Baby Finish SPF25 PA++ (1890yen, 25g) also contains four types of mineral powders and helps to conceal pores and skin discoloration.

The Mineral Loose Powder Baby Finish SPF15 PA++ (1890yen) comes in two shades with a soft focus, lightweight finish while providing oil control and coverage of pores.

The Mineral Liquid Concealer Baby Finish SPF25 PA++ (1260yen, 15g) is available in two shades and contains a silicone gel that helps provide good coverage with a soft focus finish. The Mineral Liquid Foundation, Liquid Concealer and Loose Powder are all paraben-free and fragrance-free.