See by Chloe has been taking off the fashion scene by a storm with its much affordable fashion pieces. Their latest addition to the collection is none other than an EDP. One that resembles the simplicity of Chloe brand – clear, clear, elegant packaging that oozes sophistication. I love the multi-faceted bottle packaging and is sure to prettify (is that a word?) any dresser.
The word that jumps out to me upon sniffing this scent is – SWEET FLOWERS. My favourite type of scent and never fails to put a smile in my face. I gave le garçon a quick whirl and the first two words that came out of him was SWEET and VANILLA ICE CREAM!
Combining notes like bergamot, apple blossom, jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla, this perfume isn’t overwhelming, isn’t dominant and certainly isn’t a scent that can be forgotten easily. The combination of bergamot, jasmine and vanilla stands out the most and is a clear winner in my book because it is uncomplicated, doesn’t smell like most perfume (note – the none overwhelming bit) and is unique much like her sister Chloe.
See by Chloe EDP 30ml RRP AUD$80
See by Chloe EDP 50ml RRP AUD$110
See by Chloe EDP 75ml RRP AUD$140
Available at David Jones and Myer Stores nationally
Call 1800 812 663 for stockist
I am turning into my big 3-0 next year and to think back, my 20s has been a decade dedicated to Vitamin C prodz. Whilst I don’t have much fine lines and wrinkles (touch wood) at this stage, my main concern and regular skincare routine focuses at healthy, preserving my youthful skin and brighten appearance. Combining my obsession with brightening products and having to counteracting my past mistakes – acne scarring, lack of sunscreen protection, lack of proper diet and rest; my skin has been pledged full of sun spots, acne scarring, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, blackheads and blotchiness.
One of the staple ingredient in most brightening and whitening skincare is no doubt Vitamin C. A high concentrated amount is able to speed up skin recovery (boost collagen production) from scarring and address skin issues like dullness, lack of firmness, weaken and lacklustre skin.
When combining Vitamin C in a concentrated treatment like Ella Bache’s Ampoule D’Eclat C (aka Radiance C Ampoules); you are guaranteed to see and feel visible results almost instantly. Think of it as a boot camp for your skin – Ella Bache Radiance C Ampoules comes in a 6 week course for RRP AUD$189.
This is how the products come in, each set comes with 3 bottles of the brightening serum and 3 bottles of active vitamin C concentrate. You mix these two together and use them both day and night as a “serum” step and each serum bottle should last you two full weeks.
Just empty all the active vitamin C concentrate into the brightening serum dropper bottle, shake really thoroughly to mix and it is ready to use. Nothing feels better than a freshly mixed ampoule.
As always, when using something that is potent/intense be sure to up your sun protection SPF30 and above and be sun smart.
Results:
I am a huge fan of Vitamin C skincare products period; hence this was an easy sell to me. Combining potent amount of Vitamin C (does all the hardwork at targeting pigmentation, scarring and evening out the skin tone) and hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Tomato Extract, Peptides, Salicylic, Malic, Lactic, Citric Acid, Pomegranate Extra and White Tea Extract; my skin felt instantly well hydrated and strengthened (thanks to the potent powerful antioxidant mix).
Surprise, surprise, due to the mixture of salicylic, malic, lactic and citric acid, the ampoules also helps to prevent breakout and improve existing acne (double bonus!). It is artificial colour and fragrance free and is suitable for all skin type.
You can expect a smooth and clear skin appearance with each use and overtime, skin will literally GLOW looking healthy, less redness and well hydrated. Definitely recommend this as a post Summer skin bootcamp treatment that you can do at the comfort of your own home.
Note: A few of my friends has been hesitant with brightening skin care prodz, worried that it will reduce their tan (eyeball rolling). I am happy to clarify this, anything that can be bought over the counter will not be powerful enough to strip off your skin colour so go forth and trial it for happier, glowy, radiant skin!
RRP AUD$189 (6 weeks course)
Available at all Ella Bache salons, DJ and online
Hada Labo is notorious for their award winning (Cosme awards) affordable skincare products from Japan and at delivering reasonable hydration and brightening properties. Throughout the years, I’ve picked up quite a few products that I love too – namely their Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm and Arbutin Whitening Lotion. So when I saw their latest offering – Hada Labo BB Whitening Cream, I knew I had to give it a go.
This came in a 45g squeeze tube – my preferred packaging choice that way I can control the amount I need to use. The tube is reasonably small and fits right into any make up bag and handbags. As always, remember to PREP YOUR SKIN prior to any BB cream application. Prepping meaning lotion/essence, serum, moisturiser, SPF and primer (optional). Also, less is always more for BB creams.
What I love:
- This BB cream doesn’t come with fragrance which is quite rare for BB cream. Non fragranced BB cream lover, you’ll love this!
- Despite its rich and creamy appearance, it is EXTREMELY easy to smooth and massage into skin, I have find that due to the nature of BB cream – being thick, rich and creamy not many has the ability to blend well with fingers application. As you massage, you can feel that this BB cream transforms into a matte, powdery finish.
- This has a bright yellow/beige hue but surprisingly it does not leave my skin with white/grey cast (as most whitening BB cream does).
- Coverage wise, I’d say this is medium (surprise surprise), it really even out my uneven skin tone and could mask some light discoloration effortlessly.
- The finish is an overall brighten skin finish with a smooth velvety matte finish without feeling drying to the skin. Most importantly, this BB cream doesn’t oxidise over time.
What I don’t:
- I couldn’t use this when my skin was dry and peeling as it was a little drying (with the matte finish) and it amplified the dry spots.
- This only comes in one shade (I think) making it difficult to match various skin tone. I think this works best with very fair to fair skin tones only.
- Not widely available to swatch, although with internet these days this is not an invalid point.
Approximately AUD$20
This was purchased in Taiwan and can be found online
Continuing from my review of the Chanel Avant-Premiere de Chanel Collection, there are also some nail polishes in this collection. Today I will be reviewing two of the le vernis nail colours that are very French & Hollywood cinema influenced.
Left to right: #581 Cinema, #579 Paparazzi
#579 Paparazzi – This nail polish is a blood brown shade that is softly muted, meaning less vibrant as compare to Cinema. The formula goes on better than I’d imagine it to be. It is soft and smooth to apply. Pss, this picture is taken one full week after application, see how well the nail polish lasted except for a slight chip on my index finger, impressive hey?
#581 Cinema – This one certainly screams Hollywood. Surprisingly the red is way lighter in application as compare to the red in the bottle. Regardless, this is a vibrant, timely, classic red that has a slight jelly shine finish to it. The pigment is intense and with one – two careful thin coats, you’ll get an even finish.
RRP AUD$39 each
Available on Chanel counters now
Before I start this post, let me begin by saying I am writing this post 100% unbiased and the favourable comments that I am about to pepper all over this post is well and truly deserved. As a seasoned (ahem, I have after all just recently passed my 9th year mark blogging on THIS BLOG!) beauty blogger, it will get to a certain point where not many beauty products can tickle your fancy. After all, how different could a red lipstick be after being launched and relaunched every single year?
So recently, a common friend put us in touch and Dean Nixon reached out for my help to organise an intimate beauty bloggers’ gathering to attend his Makeup Masterclass and to showcast the launch of his Master Makeup brushes and this is what went down.
With the extremely insightful and resourceful Dean Nixon
With some of my #MBBE ladies – love them all with or without makeup
The Makeup Masterclass (RRP AUD$150) ran by Dean Nixon is by far the best masterclass I have attended and here is why:
- You’ll never be forced to buy anything.
- Dean never preach about one make up brand only (my biggest pet peeves from so many make up artists), he believes in sharing and discovering the latest beauty products and continuing to improve oneself. Totes my mantra!
- Dean is full of character and shares the most hilarious stories, you’re guaranteed to laugh through your session and actually have fun. Tres important!
- There is no textbook guideline to makeup application technique for everyone, Dean believes that each individual is different and hence should modify the technique to best suit each individual.
- Most importantly, Dean doesn’t take makeup too seriously, it is about experimenting and having fun with makeup and yourself.
- During the masterclass, you’ll also be able to trial and play with his make up brushes (try before you buy!).
- We were instructed to bring along make up products (and questions!) that we have and to learn how to best apply them. Very consumer focused!
As for his newly launched make up brushes – Master Makeup by Dean Nixon; the Kabuki Brush is by far the most impressive. Every single beauty bloggers (who know their stuff) that trialled the brushes have nothing but high praises. Personally, I am a firm believer that we don’t need a million and one make up brushes to complete a look (unless if you’re a makeup artist, that’s a different story!). In fact, I only go through less than five make up brushes on my day to day make up look.
The key make up brushes that completes any make up bag are – a big fluffy brush (Kabuki brush RRP AUD$40), a pointy tip brush (Eyeliner brush RRP AUD$30) and a Blending brush RRP AUD$30 (how did I live without you?).
A good quality kabuki brush with LONG HANDLE is so versatile. You can use it to dust powder all over face AND can double it as a bronzer or blush brush. A true multi purpose brush!
The eyeliner brush is a tricky one to get it right. General rule of thumb, the smaller a brush the better always easier to blend out then to pile on too much eyeshadow and trying to work backwards I say.
As for the blending brush, it is a no brainer, it helps to smooth any obvious rough lines and helps to blend everything together.
If I were to rank them, the one that won my heart over would be the Kabuki Brush because it is unique (long handle), super soft to skin and is totally affordable. Secondly, it has to be the Eyeliner Brush where it is just the right size for my eye makeup application and the third would be the blending brush.
All Master Makeup brushes and classes are available to purchase online
Hello lovelies, my instagram giveaway is wrapping up tomorrow so make sure to follow me on @ponikuta to find out how to enter. Don’t forget to @ponikuta and #ponikuta. Good luck!
This time I am giving away 4 packs of Muk Spa Argan Oil hair products that I have recently raved about and I love them so much I wanted to share with all of you. Each pack contains a full size shampoo, conditioner and oil treatment.
V x
Estee Lauder finally released their CyberWhite HD skincare range in Australia, remember my post back in 2011 in regards to their BB cream? Fast forward to 2013, we now have two products from the CyberWhite HD collection available in Australia – a lotion and an essence.
Just to clarify, the lotion replaces the toner step and is a moisturising step instead of a stripping moisture from your face like most toner do. As for the essence, it is essentially a serum step. This collection is a collaboration between Germany and Japan, to study the effect of pollution on asian skin versus caucasian skin and was tested on Asian skin to address some specific Asian skin concern – namely pigmentation, brown spots, dullness and acne scarring.
Estee Lauder CyberWhite HD Advanced Spot Correcting Moisture Lotion in Fresh Moist – RRP AUD$75 (200 ml)
Use after the cleansing step, I pour a generous amount on a cotton pad and dab/pat all over my face and neck area to ensure it is absorbing into my skin. This step helps to refreshen skin and to prep skin to better absorb the essence step after. It also helps to remove any missed spot that hasn’t been cleanse properly and this will SHOW on the cotton pad.
The lotion is designed to rid skin of dullness, brighten and deliver hydration to balance skin. This comes in 2 formula – Fresh Moist and Intense Moist and I am reviewing Fresh Moist.
Results: This lotion contains fragrance and even with my sensitive and allergic prone skin it does not cause any reaction to my skin which is great. The lotion absorbs into my skin quite quickly and keeps my skin well hydrated and the welcoming refreshing floral scent also helps to revitalise skin. I quite like this especially in the mornings and is rotating between this and my all time favourite SKII Facial Treatment Essence depending on my skin’s needs and weather.
Estee Lauder Cyberwhite HD Advanced Spot Correcting Essence – RRP AUD$140 (30 ml)
Recommended to use straight after the lotion step, the Advanced Spot Correcting Essence step is a serum step where you apply before your moisturiser. Serum being the most concentrated step in your skincare is a step I’d always recommend ladies to invest their hard earned clams on. Always look out for serum that addresses your MAIN skin concern. Mine being dullness and scarring – makes this serum the perfect fit for my skincare routine.
Combining the highest level of HD-90 technology, this serum focuses in brightening the look of dark spots and to boost radiance to skin. Most of all, it also contain a high concentrate of anti inflammatory botanical helping to soothe skin, reduce redness and to even out skin tone.
Results: Every day and night, I diligently pump two full pumps to massage all over my face and neck. Surprisingly, despite this being a brightening product it fills my skin with moisture (in my past experience most brightening skin care product seems to feel a tad too drying on skin). This alone is a winner for me as we all know how DRYING it is in Australia.
I have been using this twice a day for the past 3 weeks and have noticed my skin looking more “even” textured. Less blotchy, less redness and less visibly acne scarring. Occasionally, I also use this around my eye areas with no issue whatsoever. Overall, I think it is fair to say ‘I love it!”.
Both products are available to purchase on Estee Lauder counters and online via esteelauder.com.au
Call 1800 061 326 for stockist
Four weeks ago, I was invited back to Erase clinic to trial out their latest laser treatment – the Clear + Brilliant Permea. Many of you might have read about my previous raving reviews of Clear and Brilliant laser treatment.
The clever little machine (Clear + Brilliant) delivers what a time poor woman in her mid to late 20s needs – rid of dullness, tiredness of the skin appearance and to boost/plump collagen under skin for the overall appearance to appear lifted too. What Clear + Brilliant Permea does is to go the extra step by enhancing skin permeability to absorb the benefits of topical skin care products immediately after treatment and to target the superficial layer of skin.
Meaning, Clear + Brilliant focuses on collagen boosting and Clear + Brilliant Permea delivers in efficiently getting rid of pigmentations (eg: age spots, sun spots, acne scarring, etc).
Cleansed skin, photo was not edited apart from the cropping
My main concern was obviously this annoying brown spot above my right brow that refuses to go away despite using all types of expensive serums that claim to remove pigments. This brown spot (I believe is a sun spot) came out of no way and grew over night couple of years ago and pretty much got darker by the years despite my diligent use of sunscreen.
It actually got to the point where even foundation and concealer is unable to conceal, how annoying!
Very similar to the Clear + Brilliant treatment, my Clear + Brilliant Permea treatment started off with a quick cleanse to the skin and aesthetic gel is applied all over my face for a good 10 – 15 minutes for it to penetrate and to take effect.
Do you see the red rash on the side of my face? This is the random rash that has developed out of no where in the past year or so. It flares up from time to time and feels drier and rougher than the rest of my face. Said rash flared up from the antistatic gel applied over it.
I have a feeling the rash was developed due to my overuse of antibiotic in the course of 12 months (I have been ill on a monthly basis and has been taking various types of antibiotics including some pretty strong ones that could potentially have adverse effect to the skin.)
Back to the treatment, I won’t lie – the forehead bit is the most unbearable bit and is made somewhat bearable by having conversation to take the focus off the numb pain. The sensation is like someone dragging their nails onto your skin rather forcefully and for some reason the forehead always feels more sensitive.
Half done, spot the skin colour difference
Almost done
Clear + Brilliant Permea took around 15 minutes for a full face treatment. It seriously doesn’t feel long at all and once it moved past the forehead area, all the other area are pretty bearable. Throughout the treatment, a pipe is angled towards the face and cool air is constantly blasted onto the area to help make the entire treatment more comfortable. How thoughtful!
This is my face immediately after the treatment, in a bright tomato shade! It felt like I had a sunburn and I could feel the heat on my skin. I did however request for a longer boost of cool air all over my face (I think around 5 minutes) and cold water was applied onto my skin to bring down the temperature.
A quick cleanse and skincare applied later, I was ready to walk out the door and the redness has reduced dramatically.
Huge difference yea?
Taken one week later, post cleansing with no skincare; notice the brown spot?
Post Clear + Brilliant Permea Treatment
Within hours post laser, my skin felt like sandpaper-ish and really dry. I was constantly dousing my skin with moisturising lotion/essence and piling on heavy layers of moisturiser and cream. You can read all about my skincare routine post in the link below.
As compare with Clear + Brilliant, personally I felt that I had more downtime with Clear + Brilliant Permea. Downtime being having red face for a longer period of time and heaps more dry skin to slough post treatment. Post laser treatment I was unable to scrub my skin to encourage the dead skin cell to peel off so I had to wait painfully for the dead skin cells (which at one point has turned into dark brown patches) to come off on its own. No amount of make up would look okay over a patch of dead skin (mainly around the forehead).
Having said that, the down time was SO WORTH IT because one week later, my brand new – soft, radiant, baby smooth, fresh, clear, skin emerged! Notice how the brown spot was reduced to a very faint spot? I could also visibly see the slight tightening effect of pores around my nose area (not sure if this is temporary though).
Having said that, I am confident with regular Clear + Brilliant Permea treatments (once every 2 months for me), I can rid of all the pigmentation on my skin and have a consistently healthy, glowy skin that helps to keep appearances look younger for years to come.
Definitely recommending this treatment to anyone who has pigmentation concerns or just need a general boost to look radiant and “awake”.
Notes:
Always be sure to locate a licensed skincare professional to provide all types of laser treatments.
To read all about my post Clear + Brilliant Permea skincare routine, read here.
Read about my other treatment review at Erase Clinic.
RRP AUD$350 per treatment
My treatment was sponsored by Erase Clinic
