a serum for all seasons March 27, 2009

I’m now at an age where my skincare needs to get more serious. And by serious, I mean serums. I stopped at the Dr Sebagh counter at Peter Jones where an extremely well-informed, older sales woman talked me into trying his original serum (I balked at the price tag of the newer serum). After a couple of weeks, I must say, I am sold on the serum. My skin looks great. I can’t wait to try the new serum which is, apparently, even better. And this time I won’t balk at the price.

the new and improved serum

cost-cutting cleanser from Clarins March 27, 2009

Like I stated in my previous post… I love Eve Lom cleanser. But I’m finding it hard, to justify the big ticket. So I went to my local drugstore to see what I could find. I found exactly what I was seeking at the Clarins counter. I used to use a lot of Clarins but in the last decade or so I’ve been tempted away by “Dr this” and “Dr that”. Except for the Beauty Flash Balm of course… a must-have product for any woman. Clarins has cleanser which satisfies my Eve Lom-love of a balm-texture that rubs into the skin, but it even goes one step beyond. After rubbing in the balm, it turns to a cleansing oil (for all you Shu Uemura buffs) THEN, presto-magico! – it turns to a milky cleanser when you splash on some warm water. What is this dream product you ask? Its Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel. And yes, for about half the price of Eve Lom, you will love it.

2008 Favourites January 8, 2009

Here are some of my favourite products from this year. Feel free to add your own.

Eve Lom Cleanser: A luxury, yes. But worth it.

Nars Eyeshadows: Can’t beat the packaging, the quality and the colours.

Aromatherapy Associates Renew Body Cream – with loads of essential oils, this leaves skin gorgeous.

Benefit’s F. Y. Eye – Eyeshadow Base: I didn’t think I’d love this but I do. It keeps eye shadow looking great all day even sheer sparkly ones.

Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser – great natural look.

Cult product #1 : eve lom cleanser October 7, 2008

“Cult” products. Are they just hype used by beauty editors? What makes a cult product a “cult” product anyway? Well I have made it a mission to work my way through the list, starting with eve lom’s cleanser.

Eve Lom is one of those skin care lines that separates the maybelline girls from the true beauty product connoisseur. Simple packaging, exclusive availability and a price tag that keeps away the riff-raff, this is a purchase for those willing to invest in their face.

I bought my first tub in London, where the cost for a 100ml tub is about US$90. I saved a few pounds by buying it on ebay, but still felt guilty.

The cleanser is more like a balm, with a bit of texture to it. According to the complex instructions, you warm a dab up in your hand then massage it over the face using a sequence of moves meant to stimulate the skin and help detox through the lymph nodes. After the massage you cover your face with the muslin clothe (included) that has been soaked in warm water.

So… was it worth it? Almost. I loved it. But when the tub was finished I couldnt’ bring myself to buy another and am now looking for a similiar product that costs less. Sorry Eve, credit crunch has bitten.

a dummies guide to smoky eyes June 5, 2008

Always wanted to try putting on “smoky eyes” for a major night out but worried you might end up looking like Courtney Love on a bender? Here’s a great video to help you get it right.

dry skin emergency? call AA April 7, 2008

… or Aromatherapy Associates. I saw this line of products initially in one of the hotel spas in Hong Kong and I admit, I thought it was another over-priced scented cream that hotels love to stock. But when my manicurist slathered it on my very dry hands, I found myself marveling at how long my skin remained hydrated and … yes.. smelling like roses. If the cream can keep my hands happy, think of what it can do on the parts of me that are less rough and dry? AA’s Renew line of rose oil -based products is really fantastic, mainly because they are loaded with essential oils which keep dry skin moisturised for hours. I have since bought the Revive body oil and the scrub (a powder that you mix with your body wash) and I’ve been very pleased with both of these products as well.

Available in Hong Kong at the Mandarin Hotel Spas & Salon

cuticle crimes February 22, 2007

Its nearly impossible in HK to keep your manicurist from cutting your cuticles. But try you must! Sure it looks great when you leave the salon, but a week later you are left with hard bits of skin on either side of your nails and, even more tragic, split cuticles. Then you have no choice but to go back again and again to keep them trimmed.

I swore it wouldn’t happen to me. But a couple of years ago I let my manicurist talk me into trimming them “just a little”. I’ve been sorry ever since.

But in the past few months, I have tried to break my habit. I imposed a ‘manicurist withdrawal’. I have instead been rubbing FACE Stockholm’s AHA cuticle cream into my cuticles every night, and gently pushing them back with an orange stick after every shower.

It’s been a battle. And to be honest, not pretty. But I think I’ve kicked it finally. My nail beds look better than ever.

I think I’m ready for a manicure now. I’m pretty sure I won’t succumb to the temptation of the trimmer.

I’ve been through too much, I’ve worked too hard. But I’m bringing my orange stick just in case my manicurist doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

creme de corps body cleanser – solution for dry skin February 22, 2007

Do you have dry skin? The kind that itches immediately after coming out of the shower? Is it so itchy you think twice about lathering up? Well then I suggest you march straight over to Kiehl’s and pick up their Creme de Corps Cleanser.

I was a big fan of Kiehl’s even before it arrived in HK. But I had gone off it the last couple of years. I never could get past the non-lathering shampoos (yes I know that the lack of lather means no sulfates, but still), and I became wooed away by other skincare products.

But while I was there the other day buying a tinted lip balm for a friend who is on her way to climb Mt Kilimingaro (she may be roughing it but a little colour in the lip balm never hurt), I decided to try the body wash.

I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, it lathers up really well. And being Kiehl’s, it doesn’t have any annoying scents. But most importantly, my skin felt great after the shower and not even the slightest bit itchy.

I haven’t tried teaming it up with the body cream, which I have tried before and did like. At the time I thought it was a bit too rich, but given the lower humidity in HK right now, it may be worth a second try.

xmas gifts: perfume December 15, 2006

How many brands of perfume are there? Hundreds? Thousands? And yet there are only a handful that I like. Perfume makes a nice gift but you really have to know what people like. Here are some suggestions based on my favourites:

For classy, elegant women, stick with traditional perfumeries like Chanel and YSL. I don’t normally like florals but for some reason I always squirt on YSL’s Paris whenever I go by the counter.

For modern women, I would suggest Jil Sander, Prada, or Carolina Herrera (Chic). You can also go for Gucci (the pink one is less overwhelming than the darker one). Jil Sander’s new perfume “Pure” is very fresh and clean smelling.

For the fashionistas, try Aqua de Parma “Iris Nobile”, Prada or Jo Malone.

As for me, this year I’ve taken a fancy to the Narciso Rodriguez perfume “For Her”. It’s a floral but it has some woody undertones that keep it from being too sweet.

More advice: avoid eau de toilette (doesn’t last) and celebrity fragrances.

Happy Shopping!

yonka gommage – unclog your skin November 27, 2006

I’m a big fan of Yonka products ever since they were used in my first facial 13 years ago. I use quite a few of the products and I swear by them.

Gommage is one of my favourites, especially since the pollution in Hong Kong has become worse. It is a clarifying gel, not a scrub, so it is gentle enough to use 2-3 times a week. You simply spread a thin layer on your face, wait a few minutes, then rub it off. It’s quick and easy.

There is a gommage 303 for sensitive skin which can even be used around the eyes and gommage 305 for oily skin.

You can buy Yonka in Hong Kong from Beauty Gallery (7th floor Oriental Commercial Bldg on Lyndhurst Terrace Central (across from the HSBC) or you can order it online from Essential Day Spa in Vancouver which ships internationally (if you order over a certain amount, the shipping is free! Highly recommended).

What’s your favourite product for battling the effects of pollution?