Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase 1oz., US$58.00

I got this in a CAD$47.00 gift set that includes a full size HydraQuench cream, trial size serum (15ml - which is half a full size bottle of this product) and cream mask at Christmas. I cannot stress how good a deal it is to get gift sets/value gift sets at Christmas time! more…

Clarins HydraQuench Cream For Normal To Dry Skin, 50ml, US$48

This past Christmas, I bought a bunch of Clarins products, most of them are in gift sets. I got this HydraQuench Cream for Normal to Dry skin in a set that comes with the serum and mask (from the HydraQuench line), the latter two being very generous trial sizes (the cream itself is full size) for CAD$47.00. This goes to show that Christmas really is the best time to buy these products! more…

Clarins Cleansing Milk with Alpine Herbs, 7 oz., US$29.50

I bought the bonus size (400 ml) for the same price  (US$29.50/CAD$34.00) for this cleansing milk by Clarins at Christmas and ever since I started using it, I cannot get enough of it! It is not the best makeup remover (DHC’s cleansing oils are still the best) but I use it as a regular cleanser and this stuff actually can remove most of the makeup, except very waterproof makeup. The scent is a bit strong but refreshingly pleasant. It is very gentle and does not irritate my sensitive dry skin. It doesn’t leave my skin dry either, which is a plus since my skin is horribly dehydrated in winter. more…

Kanebo KATE Powder Gel Liner N

I have always been very fond of KATE, a super affordable line by Kanebo, finding it to be very good quality for the money. The average product from the KATE line costs about US$10, equivalent to drug store brands in North America. The quality of KATE, however, is far superior to the drug store brands here, and can hold its own against some of the western department store brands! more…

O My Rose by Lancome

Femininity. Playfulness. Irreverence. Now Aaron De Mey, Lancome’s International Artistic Director For Makeup, brings you spring’s prettiest and most provocative shades. Experience the sweetness of soft corals, mixed with a playful pop of teal, to instantly update lips, cheeks and eyes… O my! more…

Jewel Crystal Eyes by Jill Stuart for Spring 2010.

The theme of Jill Stuart’s Spring 2010 collection is sweet angel rocker - enhanced by Jewel Crystal Eyes. The radiance and shimmer of Jill Stuart’s famous and much coveted eyeshadow quad create an alluring yet natural expression. Now you can play the part of a tough yet sweet Rock Girl! more…

Avon Anew Rejuvenate Mineral Facial Rinse-Off Treatment, CAD$30.00

I have read complaints about the Anew line’s fragrance but have never found it to be repugnant, until I tried the Rejuventate Mineral Mask. Copying Caudalie’s brush design, this mask sounded so good…and being a fan of the Anew Rejuvenate line, I didn’t hesitate to buy this when it first debuted at CAD$19.95 on Avon.ca more…

Collection Sparkles from the Spring 2010 Wild Flowers Series

The full collection isn’t out yet, but the limited collection Sparkles is so cute, I am sure the full collection won’t disappoint! more…

Dior Spring 2010 Look: Dentelle

Dior’s Spring 2010 collection (Dentelle) is a sexy twist of the traditional pastel pinks!

Dior complements the ultra feminine spring trends with palettes embossed in intricate lace patterns. Inside are petal-pink shades for cheeks, lips, and eyes, plus an all-over shimmer powder that adds radiance and luminosity to the skin. more…

DHC Mild Touch Cleansing Oil, US$14.00

I am a die-hard DHC Deep Cleansing Oil fan, and I must admit, I wasn’t going to try this version simply because I love the original formula so much. DHC’s Cleansing Oils are among some of the few on the market that do not use any mineral oil as a base, which is one of the reasons why I stick to them time and time again as I am allergic to anything containing petrolatum or mineral oil. more…

Estee Lauder's Michael Kors Very Hollywood Collection: Rodeo Pink look as seen on spokesmodel Hilary.

One of the great things about Estee Lauder is that it is always among one of the first major brands to release a new seasonal collection ahead of the season. I love looking at these sneak peeks! They give you a sense of what is to come for the upcoming season. more…

Fruits & Passion Fruity Foaming Bath Collection, US$24

As much as I hate how commercialized Christmas has become over the years, I still cannot resist buying festive gifts for loved ones and for myself. As your email inbox is probably being bombarded by last minute gift ideas, and if you hate the mall crowds, online retailers offer a great variety of products. more…

Lancome Holiday Beauty Box (Purchase with Purchase), CAD$65 with any CAD$34 purchase

I love this time of the year for so many reasons! With super value makeup and skin care sets, special colors and deluxe packaging, you can’t help but get really festive.

Here are some of my personal favorites this year: more…

EST Cream Makeup Active Aura Moist Foundation

The good thing about reviewing makeup is that the results are pretty much immediate (I do not use any makeup for a month before reviewing - I only do that with skin care). I got samples of EST Cream Makeup Active Aura Moist foundation in OC03 and 05 - OC05 being the standard, average Japanese skin tone. Prior to testing, I was aware of this product being a high coverage foundation. Curious about EST base makeup since it is a perennial advertiser in VoCE and Biteki, I decided to try anyway, even though I don’t wear foundation or powder and don’t need any coverage. more…

Maquillage Powder Touch Eyebrow by Shiseido

This is one product I wish Shiseido The Makeup would make for the international community! A jumbo eyebrow pencil with the texture of soft powder, this product deposits the right amount of color on your eyebrows. You can either use this to fine stroke or go over your eyebrows to change the color of your brows. more…

Shiseido RichRocks Holiday Collection for Christmas 2009

In creating the RichRocks Holiday Collection for Shiseido Makeup, Shiseido International Makeup Artistic Director Dick Page was inspired by the rich color and pure radiance of ‘unrefined rocks and crystals with their natural, savage beauty and mystical powers.’ more…

Lancome ÔSCILLATION POWERFOUNDATION, US$48.00

Lancome is on a roll! New to the Oscillation lineup is a vibrating mineral foundation with SPF 21. This foundation outputs 7,000 micro-vibrations per minute—which stimulates the skin and breaks down the featherweight mineral powder for seamless blendability. more…

Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Holiday Color 2009 collection

As we near the end of October, it’s exciting to see what’s coming for Christmas! At least one brand sticks to the classic holiday look (as opposed to Dior’s Cristal Boreal and Bobbi Brown’s Chrome collection, both on the cool side). more…