It’s time for confessions…
Have you already been obsessed with a beauty product ? If you didn’t, I am happy for you. If you did, how did you get around it ???
I am very passionate about beauty products, it’s a hobby, an insanely expensive little hobby. On a weekly basis I discover new products, find new favorites and from time to time, get my hands on some crazy obsessions. They would not stop me from living my life happily but they will haunt me until I manage to get (enough of) them.
First obsession…. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Before I say anything, I have to tell you that I have the most strange relation with perfumes, I love them but for some reason they don’t like my skin. That makes me really deeply sad. At the end of the day most of them just turn into some kind of horrible scent and my BF, with his fine sense of smell, reminds me that I should not wear that perfume anymore…
Recently I received a sample of this Tom Ford from my friend Stacy. Tried it, got totally relentlessly obsessed with it.
I love this floral/citrus/amber scent, to the highest point, it lasts all day long, it doesn’t turn into a weird smell, stays true to its notes from morning till evening. I was really hoping that this perfume would be working for my skin so I had to try at work and with my BF : everybody loves it.
Then, I decided I had to have it. I was expecting a high price but it’s even higher than that !!! the tiny 50ml bottle costs 250chf (~250 usd). I just could not.
But it started haunting me, possessing me, of course there was no way I could carry on without it.
I found a “cheaper” option if I ordered in Sephora.fr, with the Sephora promotion they had ongoing I saved 75chf on this bottle. Still insane price but …
I am pasting here some links for reviews :
Tom Ford is killing me… but I’ll die with a smile…
Second obsession… Tanseido “The brand that makes you swear“
After my Koyudo obsession -still ongoing of course-, came the Tanseido.
I think there isn’t a single brush that did not make it into my top favorites, H-O-L-Y grails and it’s preparing a holy disaster to my finances.
They may not have the creativity that the great Koyudo is showing us repeatedly, but they drive me crazy.
My grandfather taught me not to swear, I was pretty good at keeping my calm and maintaining an educated language, until now. The Tanseido brushes make me swear the bip out of me, every single time I unpack a brush …
Third obsession… Nars palette : And God created the woman
I usually quite dislike Nars naming convention, but this time…. But why this name ? is that because we won’t be able to resist it ??
So yeah, he created this palette and it’s all about temptation. I love all the shades here, I will be devastated when I touch pan… because I will.
For reviews and swatches : Blushingnoir
Fourth obsession : Suqqu Konruri
I reached a point where I am scared to use it, don’t ever want to run out. It’s just my perfect neutral with a twist go-to palette. Suqqu scored with this palette, I guess the Spring 2013 will also be stunning but this Konruri is rocking my world…
For some swatches you can hop to this post.
Fifth obsession : Shu Uemura Raspberry and Mocha palette
The exterior of the palette didn’t appeal to me but …
This is so wearable and so insanely beautiful ! absolute HG for me. This one is my favorite Shu palette ever.
For some reviews and swatches please hop here :
I know this is maybe too old to be found on the counters, but I found out that sometimes in London they still had old palettes, they were just not showing the testers.
Sixth obsession : RMK Extra Deep W mascara
I spent years trying to get some life out of my lashes. This is as good as it gets.
I haven’t many lashes, they are quite short too. I have often been trying this mascara on one eye and a different one on the other. Nobody told me I looked like Casimodo but honestly you could see that one eye looked so much more awake than the other…
My conclusions are : I prefer a curl effect on my lashes than a heavy application that would make my lashes revert to their initial pre-curl position.
For the first time in my life I don’t feel the necessity to buy every single new released mascara, I am very happy with this one and I will probably stick to RMK (either the Separate Curl or the W mascaras, both are excellent for me).
In comparison to the RMK Separate Curl, the Extra Deep W delivers a fuller effect, the Separate Curl a longer effect, but both keep the curl all day long !
Seventh obsession : Urban Decay The Theodora palette
I am just loving the neutral shades in this palette, since the day I got it I am very often reaching for it.
Not wearing : the lip pencil and the eyeliner. The lip pencil ages me and dries my lips so I prefer to wear Mac Ruby Woo or Mac Absolute Power then apply a By Terry Terribly shine lipgloss on top to recreate the strong lip.
Although I am not using the green shade, I don’t need another shade to complete a nice neutral or a more daring look.
For a review please hop here.
One huge weakness : Deserts
I am crazy for deserts, and scared of what my new work cantine is doing to me at the moment… Sometimes I even avoid going near the desert area. I close my eyes and go to the till … I wish I could find the strength to resist !
This is what was happening for St-Val… they made a white chocolate/raspberry mousse with rose petals hanging out of it… I did not take it because the Creme Caramel is my favorite desert ever ! I just couldn’t manage two 😛
This requires A LOT of self-control, I just cannot manage self-control on a daily basis. This week has been tough, I managed to stay away, but I know it’s not going to be easy…
How is this even related to beauty ? well it is related to “contouring” 🙂
and 1 disappointment : La Mer
I am not sure this has to enter a “disappointment” category. The product is obviously not made for me but it may work very well on other skins.
I was obsessed with this brand, trying to find a way to test at least the foundation. Stacy sent me a sample of their foundation and just recently I found a shop where they sell it. I was just browsing and they asked me if I knew La Mer. I actually told them that I did not think their products will work on my terribly dry skin but they seemed confident and they very kindly gave me a sample of the moisturizing soft cream.
First I tried the foundation on top of my beloved moisturizer. It did not work, too drying. Then I thought I may need to pair it with their cream. I applied the La Mer cream, then I applied the foundation, after a few minutes it was looking great so I left for work. After half an hour my skin was feeling very dry, I couldn’t even smile. After 3 hours I urgently had to remove everything. I had my face covered with more than 10 dry patches, on the jawline, the forehead and the foundation had become totally patchy of course, it also gave me red patches on the chin. Am I supposed to peel like a snake ?? because this is what it was doing to me. Maybe it’s a regeneration process, I have no idea, but it’s painful.
I thought, ok maybe the cream AND the foundation is a bit too much for a start, so let’s try only the La Mer cream. I applied only the La Mer cream, but again, my skin was shouting for water after 30 minutes. Removed everything and applied my usual moisturizer. Then my skin went back to normal. But…
That was a few days ago, I had massive breakouts due to this episode. I know I have a problematic skin and many food intolerances, I have no idea if that could be the cause of this reaction but it was total horror.
If you had any experience with this product, please share !!! Better to have different opinions and discuss them !
Hope you enjoyed… If you have any obsessions let me know what they are… I’ll feel more human 😀
112 comments
Creme Caramel is one of my most favorite desserts ever too.
I feel like Creme Caramel is going to be a hit 🙂
Sonia your 7 obsessions are divine especially the Tanseido brushes but the dessert is what stands out to me lol! 🙂 🙂 I have a friend whose hobby is perfume. I think I shall go and ask her if she has the TF Neroli Portofino. She regularly gives me sample vials of her insanely expensive scents. Actually she hosts perfume splits all the time. Lots of people participate in them because it makes it more affordable.
I’ll be curious to know what perfume lovers think !
I totally see the point, these perfumes are insanely expensive ! it really had to be an obsession for me to cash out !!! Try to get a sample and let me know what you think 🙂
Several years ago I was a perfume collector and paid insane prices for some perfumes (Lutens the exclusives to Le Palais, Parfums de Rosine, Artisan parfumeur, Etro, Profumum Roma, Maitre parfumeur et Gantier, Frederic Malle…) but I’ve lost some interest at the time TF began to do perfumes so didn’t explore the line, remember having a sniff at the first ones at galeries lafayette and loving some but not to the point to buy. should have a sniff now hoping not to begin again my other obession (I have two drawers full of old perfumes : )
Nikoleta, please have a sniff and let me know 🙂 curious to know your opinion on it. I know it’s a summer perfume and a unisex but to me it’s good for all seasons.
I never went into that territory because the perfumes were turning on my skin and my BF sense of smell is too delicate, so far so good…
Which one is your favorite today ?
I’ll definitely smell it hoping it is in my local Sephora. For winter I love Caron Farnesiana, Confetto Profumum Roma (very similar to Hypnotic poison but ten times stronger so I put just a tiny drop on my neck), loving very much Yvresse YSL (the old version) and when I’m in my Lolita mood Lipstick rose de Frederic Malle, when feeling more feminine : Knowing d’Estée Lauder or Rose de Nuit de Lutens. For hot weather, I’ll prefer lighter perfumes of course: I like very much La rose de Rosine or another very romantic one of the same brand Poussière de rose, Mûre et musc Artisan Parfumeur is one of my favorites too, Gadenia Passion d’Annick Goutal is very subtle light summer perfume. I’ve been quite passioned about perfumes and used to tell the difference between the notes but now I’m just drawn by the feeling, the smell, not going too deep in analizing the structure, in fact now I’ll be unable to.
gosh, I don’t know any of them 😮 shame on me..
I really have to check them out, just for fun and for the pleasure ! thanks Nikoleta !
Oh, Sonia, it is normal not to know them, just a perfume obsessed junkie would, these are niche perfumes and not all of them worth the money (especially as they get so insanely expensive these days). I’m drown to the oriental/floriental family and niche perfumes just manage to explore them in a more subtle way. there are two sites that offer samples but it’s been years I haven’t checked back and samples are not especially cheap but it can help sometimes to make an idea before spending a huge amount on a bottle : http://www.luckyscent.com/ and
http://www.ausliebezumduft.de/
That’s exactly what I was going to say:)
Creme Caramel is my ABSOLUTE fave desert. I LOVE the combination of the light custard & caramelized sweetness of the syrup. Thank Heavens I can’t get it often in Germany because I can devour 4 of them back to back and would still be ready for number 5!
I am going to HAVE to test the TF Neroli & the RMK mascara!!
To your ‘disappointment’….. although I haven’t tried the foundation, the La Mer concealer was a big, expensive failure for me.
To your palette obsessions…..
I also love the new Nars ‘And God created Woman’. I think I have all the shades as singles, but to have them together in a palette is perfect!!
ALSO enjoying Theodora. I have avoided Urban Decay for ages because there is just WAY too much shimmer, but when this came out I splurged and ordered both Theodora & the Matte Naked palette . REALLY thrilled with both 🙂
I used the Shu Raspberry & Moccha palette only this morning & asked myself why I don’t use it more often!?!
The answer is of course is simply WAY to much choice! My beautiful treasures just don’t get enough love. I just can’t help myself though, there are always new pretties being released, and they ALL want to come and live at my house 😉
I see a few of you loving the creme caramel, have you tried “flan” style with grated coconut incorporated in the mix ? when it cooks, the coconut makes it to the surface, leaves a crispy coconut coat… arghhhhh I am dying 😛
I would eat a dozen but I would be so sick.
I did that desert for new year, and also raspberry cheesecake 😛
Actually I have too many eggs in the fridge at the moment… creme caramel anyone ???
Yes please please test this perfume ! so curious to know your opinion. I am totally addicted !
Have you tried the new Chanel mascara “le volume de Chanel” ? It has just been released here (but in the most expensive place in Geneva so… I’ll wait a bit), I don’t even feel the need to get it since I am very happy with my RMK, but I would love to know if anyone tested it already.
I am happy that you give me your feedback on these products, these are really extraordinary palettes, I don’t know how it can get better 🙂 amazing that you used the Shu this morning 😛
Hello Sonia and every one!!! I love your obsessions and the shu uemura palette is very tempting!!! Oh by the way I received my last suqqu order : the EX11 sumredama and I love it. I have 3 now and the taupe in this palette is I think even prettier than the taupe in the 11 himesango. I think that next month I’m gonna go for konruri!! But the problem is: I have an obsession of my own: the tom ford eye quad: I have 2 : emerald lust and silvered topaz and my heart is beating for more! (enchanted especially)!! so I’ll have to make a choice!!!
I have a question Sonia: we seem to have the same kind of intolerant skin: when you have a crisis like you did with the la mer products, what kind of treatment do you use to calm it? I use Avene creams and lotions but it still takes a good week to return to normal. What do you do and is it quickier?
have a good weekend!!!!
Laurence
Hi Laurence !
Choice is something hard, this year I will have to make a lot of them 🙁
Choosing a quad is very personal, I find myself using Crushed Amethyst more often than any other TF quads but again this is very personal. There is only one that I don’t use (the reddish one), but I want to give it another go this summer…
Unfortunately I don’t apply a treatment to calm my skin, I just wait, approx 1 week like you. I has been nearly a week now but I still have a few remaining spots and a “burning” sensation (like if I had a sunburn).
I clean my face with micellar water and I apply my usual moisturizer (Laura Mercier Repair creme without spf). I usually don’t wear foundation when this happens but if I do, I use a By Terry foundation, funny but it has soothing capabilities on my skin… doesn’t work for everybody so make sure you test it before you buy it. With By Terry I feel like my pores are breathing fresh air.
Today I am going to try my Omorovizca cleansing mask to see if that could help remove any residue but I will only leave it for a very short time.
Have a great weekend too !!
I really dislike creme de la mer. It’s overpriced and it doesn’t change the skin. I experienced crazy breakouts with it that led me to scarring. It is either a hit or miss for most people, but it is the biggest mist for me.
I certainly never experienced so many myself…
In a way I am relieved because it is very prizey, but on another hand I am a bit worried, if Laura Mercier discontinues the one I use I will be in trouble…
Oh Your obsessions are awesome! I need to check out the brushes. LOL I know how it feels to be haunted. Right now Tom Ford illuminating primer is doing the same thing to me. I won’t be able to rest until I own it.
Hahaha 😀 I am human 😀
it’s great to have obsessions… I guess…. 😛
Now why did you have to go and dangle that Shu Palette in front of me! When you talk obsessions I soooo get it! I am with you on the TF! Delicious! I have been walking around the house sniffing my arm all day 😉 Amazing! Thank goodness I have the Suqqu 12! I could almost put all of the Suqqu eye palettes into that category….
The La Mer was a disappointment for me as well. I had such high hopes…. not for me.
Now deserts! A lifelong obsession! All was well for years and years but lately….. I think this obsession is chasing me down telling me give it up or else!!
LOVE this post! Such fun!
😀 😀 😀
We will be connected by our scent !! 😛
I know what we could do : we can all meet, eat deserts, drink tea and talk brushes ! happy life 😀
I heard all these good la mer comments on a forum too and wanted to try it out. But i read this post on beautypedia http://www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/la-mer/_/the-moisturizing-soft-cream
and i think it could help but some girls like you with sensitive skin there could be too much irritating ingredients in it.
At moment i want to try only BHA and Rosehip oil (Retinol) for my routine.
Thank you for the link and your feedback !!!
I am actually really worried if Laura Mercier discontinues the Repair creme I will be devastated. I just won’t be able to wear any foundation at all anymore, it won’t make my skin look good enough for strong eye looks and for blush… argh… 🙁
I did try la Creme from Cle de Peau, it is very good but I had not enough quantity to confirm it was a good choice in the longer term.
I dont have that sensitive skin but problematic too because its sometimes dry but has blemishes.
I’m starting to try understanding all the incis but its really hard. At moment a blogger here began with posts about “incis” First of all the AHA’s BHA and so on and how they work and why they could not work why the PH value is very important for that. That is really helpful because all the info is concentrated. You need much time so see the entirety and the little what makes the difference when you do all the research alone.
I think you have to know what your skin really needs.
All the brands with their lovely promotional promises from all the cremes I’m feeling very stupid when it comes to incis but i think most of the brands make it really hard for us.
I would be very happy to know more about my skin but honestly every time I visit a pharmacy (a chemist or whatever they are called outside my country), each one tells me a total different story about my condition.
I saw dermatologist and that did not help, they just gave me La Roche posay creme but it was only keeping the hydration for 2 to 3 hours. I have really tried to seek help but it just did not help.
But times evolve, maybe today I can find someone that can guide me better and analyse what my skin really needs, I just did not find that department yet 🙁
i think every skin is different and react different a lot of factors affecting the condition of skin. Health, hormones, food allergies or food intolerances, diet and so on.
And i think most of dermalogist only tell you a little factor of that. Your skin is dry because of low fat or low moisture. I think the most of them only “know” some brands and telling you it will help. Evtl. when we have to ask for special ingredients not brands.
Only when we know if the special inci will help then we know if this or this creme is good or not but with the tons superficial knowledge people have its hard to filter the right informations.
I still don’t know what is right for my skin but i hope i’ll in the future 😀
I think I am on a mission to deepen this subject, I need to.
Will keep you all updated 🙂
thanks a lot for your precious input 🙂
Sonia, I have been on the skincare “mission” for years and years and years! It becomes an obsession and an expensive one for sure! My goal is comfort of course first but what I am striving to achieve is fighting aging full force without using fillers, injectables or surgery. Nothing wrong with those options, believe me they cross my mind periodically! I have just decided they are not for me ;). A dear friend recently pointed out that this fear of aging is very “American” and I can certainly see that! So, if you decide to delve into this here on the blog it sounds like you will have lots of good info shared (Mimi I’ll bet you have some amazing finds that I would love to read about!) ! Tacha is a fantastic Japanese line I agree! The products I have, I love! I have not tried the rich cream but I will! Astalift, another Japanese line is a must have for me as well as some Shiseido products. I believe I am seeing a theme…..
Hi Sonia! I suggest you the book by Dr Leslie Baumann: Skin Type Solutions. It contains a thorough test to find your skin type and she is a dermatologist and suggests by each skin type the ingredients to avoid or to look for in the products. Really interesting and easy fast reading book. I also suggest you next time you visit JP to do a 2nd stop in Korea for their skincare treatments: CNP Laboratories in Seoul is a MUST visit and affordable.
My current obssesions are: 1) Korean skincare: im really into Sum37/Primera/Belif/CNP brands. 2) White Hair round blush brushes. Im in the quest for the softest white hair goat with the shape of chiku RC2. Any ideas? 3) Charlotte Tilbury Make Up: her powder and nude lipstick in pillow talk. 4) Acid toners: P50 is the product that changed my skin and improved the appearance of my pores. 5)Serge Lutens A Nuit Jasmine perfume and anything containing jasmine. 6) Zara Home candle in ginger lily. I cant get enough of that scent in my home. 7) Your blog! I cannot stop reading and adding brushes to my wishlist. 8) well….you get the drill…lol
hi Silvia, geez sorry some comments I did not see 🙁
Ok I take note, I don’t know this brand but I will try it. I have sent this to my agenda!
Regarding the point 2), yes I have some suggestions but they cost a lot, I just purchased a saibikoho shaped like this and it’s my fav ever! it was custom made though and its price is actually approx 580usd.. so it hurts but there is nothing better. Otherwise Takeda makes them also custom made, not with Saibikoho but with extremely soft hair so let me know if you want the info.
Oh Jasmine yes, I will try that one!
LOOOL my blog??? you are so sweet, that just made my year 😀
Ooooh, I like your obsessions :D!!!
I used to obsess about this Black Sesame creme brûlée a Japanese restaurant near my work does – just soooooo good, simply irresistible (totally worth every single calorie, and then some, lol). Then last summer, I found out that I was allergic to milk, and that has put a serious damper on my desert enthusiasm 🙁
I have to say that the La Mer cremes are just not doing it for me either. I’ve tried using their sunscreen too, but it broke me out after a couple of weeks of use. The foundation however, is my HG! I find it neither drying nor moisturizing, just perfect for my skin, and looks like skin too: beautiful, radiant skin :). I hope it holds up well to heat and humidity…
In terms of skincare, Amore Pacific has really been good to me – I have combination and sensitive skin. I have quite a bit of redness in my skin, and break out very easily. For extra moisture, I love the AP Green Tea treatment oil (mixed to the Time Response Cream), and at night I have been swearing by Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair since I first discovered it a year ago (how did I not try it before???).
As for perfume, my last obsession dates from a year and a half ago: Kalimatan, from Chantecaille. I picked up a sample, kept sniffing my arm and the sample for 3 days, went back to buy the full bottle, and have been wearing it every single day ever since :). I understand that people love it or hate it, I (obviously) find it divine 🙂
My daily obsessions shift (as I fulfill them, lol), but they are almost always around make up and make up brushes. I love all plums and purples, but find myself reaching most for my “neutral” palettes (TF Silvery Topaz, EB Soft Smoke and Over the Moon, and as of recently, I can feel that my Suqqu 09 Usumoegi is going to join that very select group). And I don’t think that I go for them because they are “easy”, but rather because they simply look good, and allow me to play with my blushes too ;). I’m currently obsessing about the Serge Lutens eyeshadow palette (not sure it’s really worth the high price tag, and keep on thinking of the brushes I could get instead, lol), and the GA eyeshadow quad in #11 (that one I’m getting for sure as soon as it hits the stores!
I have been using the Chanel Le Volume mascara since end of October, and I’m very happy with it – so much so that I’m re-buying and not even mildly tempted to try anything else (a first, really). It’s been working very well for me, but I have to admit that I am quite lucky with my eyelashes which are naturally quite long and curled. I mainly look at a mascara to make them really black, and to add some volume without flaking or looking heavy/cackey. The Chanel Le Volume definitely delivers on all these accounts!
Neo!!! Long time no see here 😛 Gah, I want the Serge Lutens palette as well, I totally blame you for this!
Neo introduced me to La Mer foundation and it is now firmly in my top few foundations. I haven’t tried anything else from them though. I think you will find it wonderful for summer as well because I have no problems with it here, but then again, on really hot days, I will just put on some mascara and walk out of the house… nothing else (except for clothing and shoes, that is).
Btw Sonia, I was just looking at the RMK mascara and I saw on your label that it’s the Extra Deep W mascara, is that what you mean? Because I think there is both the RMK W and the RMK Extra Deep W…
My obsessions… I’m not very loyal but I have to say, Laura Mercier cake liner in Black Ebony. While it’s not my favourite makeup product, it is one I can’t live without simply because no other eye liner (gel/liquid/pencil) can match it for how failsafe it is for me. I wear contacts, I rub my eyes a lot and everything (I mean everything from MAC fluidline, RBR Salome in both formulas, UD 24/7, Suqqu – which I love but which still isn’t as long-wearing as the LM) smudges or disappears in a few short hours. So LM cake liner is irreplaceable to me so far. But if you ladies have suggestions, please tell me 🙂
Now for dessert, there’s this Filipino dessert which is basically their version of the creme caramel (on crack). It’s divine and I love, love, love eating it and making it (because it’s so easy)! If anyone’s inclined to try and doesn’t mind spoiling their arteries every now and then, 12 egg yolks, a can of condensed cream and a can of evaporated milk are your ingredients 😛
Hi Bonnie ! thank you for telling that I hadn’t mentioned it 🙁 I am relieved you told me and I hope nobody ordered the other one by mistake !!
so sorry ! of course it is the Extra Deep (with the fibers and not the clear base).
I found a review here.
There is one Liner that will work like a tattoo, it’s By Terry here.
I have the black and the purple. The only problem is that I didn’t close properly the black one so it dryed out… 🙁
Not that easy to use for me, but when I apply it, it does not move at all, when I know I am going dancing I apply it, I know it will last whatever the night 😀
Sometimes I wear the purple (since the black is now dry), and I apply powder on top, transforms the color into a beautiful complex result.
I just need to remember to SNAP them closed !!!
Filipino desert will be my next recipe 😀 it sounds delicious !!!
Oh, the dessert is called leche flan btw. I steam it but you can use the oven!
I will look into the BT definitely even though I’m not a huge fan of liquid… because I can’t draw a straight line hahahaha ^ ^;
Hi Bonnie :)!!! I’m so sorry, SL is not a good obsession to have, especially if Sonia confirms that it’s a must have (but then we can just blame her for it, LOL)! But at least there is only one palette, and once you have it, you are done 😉
And now you got me interested in the LM cake liner! I don’t use eyeliner per se, as I have completely hooded eyes (which is probably why I don’t mind going really dark with my eyeshadows, as you don’t see them at all on me, unless I blink my eyes or look down – I know, curious how much I love make up, considering you don’t see it on me, lol), and ANY eyeliner, sooner or later imprints on the upper part of the lid (not a good look, sigh…). But I do tight line every day (and use black crayon on my water line – have recently changed from the very black Bobby Brown to the softer black from D&G, as I feel it’s more age appropriate and I just can’t pull off my inner Goth anymore, lol). Do you think the LM would also work well for tightlining?
And your desert sounds positively to die for!!!!! Too bad I can never have it: if it has milk, creme, butter, yoghurt, or cheese/creme cheese, or any other ingredient that is made based on milk input, it’s out for me :(. You’d think I would have lost weight with all the stuff I had to eliminate from my diet since last summer, but of course not, lol.
Hi Neo, you and I share the same habits! I always tightline, and only very occasionally line above. So yes, that’s what I use the LM for and I find that it’s perfect for tightlining and I think you will like it very much once you get the hang of it! It’s the only thing that hasn’t irritated my eyes yet. Absolutely disaster once, I was climbing the Great Wall and my pencil liner had smudged into my eyes so my contacts were completely blurred (so either 1) wear makeup that doesn’t fail 2) don’t wear makeup at all). Could. Not. See. My friend had to hold as I went down – it was pretty scary.
I’m actually lemming the #11 after seeing bestthinginbeauty’s swatches too. It is so, so, so pretty that I’m not so much into the SL anymore :S I’m also looking into Sonia’s obsession with the Shu Raspberry & Mocha palette but it’s completely sold out here, so I’m not sure whether I should go the eBay route. You’d think I would be satisfied with those Suqqu palettes, wouldn’t you? But noooo, I’m actually craving #11 but omgsh, I think it’s going to be AU$98 when it gets released in Australia!!!
That’s so sad – it’s an ahhhmazing dessert 🙁 But it’s completely dairy and egg based sighhh. But your fave dessert sounds to die for as well!
Bonnie, I’m sure you have seen my update, but I’m sorry to say that I totally understand your craving of #11! And now that I have it, I can tell you that Best Things in Beauty’s swatches are absolutely true to reality! That’s one beautiful palette, that’s for sure :D! Except, as I also already said, now that I have #11 and have seen #12, I think I must have #12 too – it’s just the perfect mix of my beloved purples/plum and neutrals, and Ivan just see how good it will look with my green eyes – “Fatal” (the name of #12) indeed, lol!!!
Let me know: I will be back at Bloomies in the next couple of weeks, and I’m sure I can find the time for a last run to the post office ;)…
And hahaha!!!!! I’ve been looking into the Raspberry & Chocolate palette too – totally sold out here too :(. I’ve also looked at ebay, but I don’t think I’m ready to pay that kind of premium (almost the double of the original price!). And I really think I can console myself with the GA #12 😉
Oh, and I can’t have my favorite desert anymore either: it’s made with creme, lol. I’m telling you, milk allergies suck majorly :(. And not losing any weight after being deprived forever of everything that is really truly good, sucks even more!!!! Seriously!
Silly question, but do allergies ever go away? I would hate not being able to have products with milk in it!
And ooooh, don’t tempt me with that offer! I might just take you up on it :S I will definitely let you know within the next few days argh! You know that means I’ll probably end up getting it. Hmm, so you’re going to Bloomies again, does that mean you’re picking up new products? 😉 Aside from #12 Fatal, that is (which I think will be lovely on you)!
We’re sold out of the Raspberry & Chocolate which sucks, because not too long ago – when I picked up the Prestigious Bordeaux palette from the Karl Lagerfeld collection – they were discounting the other two from the same collection – the Mint & Vanilla, and Orange & Pistachio so I was hoping that they would have that too. But I guess not, since it’s the most wearable of them sighhh….
I think allergies have a cycle of 7 years or something like that… but not sure.
I have pasted the link for SpaceNK if you are interested… 🙂
argh, I really want this number 11 !!! so beautiful !
Have you checked SpaceNK ? I think you get 10% discount on your first order or something like that..
http://uk.spacenk.com/CHOCOLAT-DONNA-RASPBERRY-MOCHA-EYE-PALETTE/MUK200009683,en_GB,pd.html?start=9&q=raspberry
but it’s expensive 🙁
If I ever go to a Japanese restaurant I know what to ask for !!
I am not allergic to milk but lactose intolerant so I make all my deserts with lactose-free products.
Let us know about the new weather conditions and the products you’ll be using, sad face you leave 🙁
I have to try the Estee Lauder, I think I have a sample here but I have to wait until my skin recovers…
I will sniff Kalimatan next time I can 🙂
Plums is the best color for me! I have just googlelled the #11… waow ! I need that !
Thanks for your feeback on Chanel, I wonder if it holds the curl -when the lashes don’t want to-
will keep you updated on the S. Lutens!
Sonia, you might want to try the Estée Lauder now if you have some: this stuff is very calming and soothing, without being drying, simply fantastic. If I have a blemish at night, it’s always better, if not gone, in the morning after I have applied the ANR. If my skin is irritated, it just calms it down. They even say to apply if you get a sunburn, and I can believe it – even though I have no idea how it does what it does. So e people say that it’s all they apply at night, but I find that I need to apply a moisturizer on top of it. My favorite at the moment is the BFF, Best Face Forward oil, recommended by the Non-Blond, tried and loved by one of my good friends, then 2, and then I had to pick it up. Suffice it to say that I have a year’s supply of it in my fridge, that will be traveling with me to my new home :). It may be worth a try? The lady who makes it is super nice, and ships worldwide. Let me know if you need a link :).
I have bad news: today, the GA SA at Bloomies gave me a call to tell me #11 was in, so I had to go check it out – and pick it up! It’s just absolutely stunning, and I can’t wait to start playing with it! Kind of the ultimate cool taupe palette, I’m so excited :D. The problem? I also saw #12, the purple based new palette, and it’s just as amazing!!!!! I want it too now, shoot me!!! #10 is the warm equivalent of #11, beautiful, but not for me, so I’m safe, and the new green palette (not sure of the #), while just as nice, is also not for me (Suqqu’s Usumoegi is as green as I can go I think, with my olive green eyes). I already kind of regret not having gotten #12 too, but I figure I can always go back if it’s still on my mind in a few days (and yes, I already know how that will go, lol!) 😉
Oh, and I just realized that I misspelled: it’s Kalimantan, from Chantecaille, not Kalimatan :D. I’d love to hear what you think of it when you have a chance 🙂
today I was given a sample of the Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Re-Creation Night Creme but that wasn’t the one you were talking about…
but the price… I don’t think I will be ever capable of buying a pot !!!
http://www.justluxe.com/fine-living/health/feature-1726934.php
I thought this was the one you were talking about and they were kind enough to give me a tiny sample.. we’ll see 🙂 I am about to go to bed and try it…
It’s supposed to be so strong ! tomorrow I’ll either have the face of a baby or of a science fiction horror if I react 😀
LOL, I wish I had that one Sonia!!!! A bit out of of my budget ;), but I can’t wait to hear what you think of it!!! I hope you wake up looking positively radiant :D. Seriously, that price is crazy!!!! Still, nice to have a chance to try it for free 😉 (I just hope you don’t instantly fall in love with it! Can you imagine???)
The one I use religiously is the Advanced Night Repair. It’s a serum, and I use it at night, after cleansing my skin, and before applying my usual eye creme and face creme. It’s one of their “old” products, in that they have had it for a long time, even though I understand that it has undergone some re-formulations (I’m only familiar with the latest and current iteration, so can’t compare). It’s not cheap, but definitely nothing to compare to the one you are test driving now (literally, as I type!) 😀
I obsess about product lines, like Suqqu palettes or YSL glossy stains where I have to collect a lot of them because they’re gorgeous and also hard working! They’re what I want to put on everyday. As for food, it’s chocolate, dark, please!
I don’t usually love chocolate that much except for :
Fondant au chocolat
or exactly these.
Then I will just NOT control myself anymore, these are the only chocolates I only stop when the box is empty ! I think you would love their dark version of these !
Have you tried the Lait-Creme Concentre from Embryolisse?? I have pretty dry skin and
I absolutly love it. I have that burning sensation too sometimes. It can get very cold and dry where I live, but it seems to save me every time. I heard that you can buy it from the Birch Box website… I could be wrong though..:-)
Hi Nina,
I have tried it but it’s not even enough for me 🙁
My BF loves it, he had several skin grafts due to an accident and sometimes they feel very itchy, he now uses this cream on them to soothe the itchy sensation. So I will probably be repurchasing it but for him 🙂
thanks a lot 🙂
Glad to hear it’s working for him. I know they make one that is a lot richer but that was actually to rich for me…it was just sitting on my skin. It’s called: Baume Riche Peaux Tres Seches 40 ml. ( Which means something like Rich creme for very dry skin )…it comes in a small “metal” tube. If it’s available where you buy the Lait-Creme you can try it out…if it does’nt work for you, you can us it as a good hand creme. that’s what I did..:-)
Thank you for a really cool blog, by the way…I’m getting into brushes and find your advice really helpful.
Thanks ! I will then try that one !
Sales assistants always look at me like I am a crazy woman when I tell them that their creams don’t work on my skin !
I imagine it must be very cold where you live ! DK ?
Yup, I’m in Copenhagen, Denmark..:-) It’s been a really cold winter this year, and pretty long too. Usually we have 2 months which are cold ( below zero celsius ) and then 2 months with wind and rain, and a bout 5-6 degrees…but this year it’s been freezing for a VERY long time and the wind have been sooo dry….I’m not a fan of our humid summers, but right now it sounds pretty good:.:-)
Bonjour, Je voulais t’envoyer un message mais comme je ne trouve pas où le faire je te le laisse dans les com.
J’adore cette revue, mais je n’ai jamais vu la palette NARS en vente à Genève et où trouver la palette Shu U. les couleurs sont magnifiques….
Maintenant j’ai deux questions qui n’ont rien avoir. Comment fais-tu pour être sur wordpress mais avoir une adresse sans que wordpress apparaisse ?
Quel programe utilises-tu pour ta mise en page.
Bonjour Marie,
merci !
pour les détails du blog je vais t’envoyer un mail privé.
Pour le reste, la palette shu est encore dispo ici : http://uk.spacenk.com/CHOCOLAT-DONNA-RASPBERRY-MOCHA-EYE-PALETTE/MUK200009683,en_GB,pd.html?start=41&q=shu%20uemura
Pour la palette Nars aussi : http://uk.spacenk.com/AND-GOD-CREATED-THE-WOMAN-PALETTE/MUK200010118,en_GB,pd.html?start=1&q=nars
Je viens de recevoir ce matin un prospectus de Bon Genie, on dirait qu’ils ont les nouveaux produits Nars mais ça m’étonnerai bcp qu’ils aient cette palette (c’est un set).
à tout de suite !
mon mail n’a pas passé alors je mets les liens ici :
http://en.support.wordpress.com/domains/
http://en.support.wordpress.com/domains/map-existing-domain/
J’ai suivi ces intructions, j’ai dû juste payer les frais additionels pour la redirection.
par contre c’est pour wordpress… pour le tien je ne sais pas trop (je viens de réaliser que c’est pas wordpress).
Si jamais mon email est dans la page “about me”
bises
Bonjour,
je te remercie de me répondre, il y avait une erreur dans mon adresse email…
Je vais tout de suite regarder au BG et les liens que tu m’as donné. C’est pour un autre blog que je voulais créer et il me semble que c’est plus professionnel sur wordpress mais j’hésite car j’ai vu qu’il y a wordpress.com ou fr. y a t’il une différence ?
C’est toujours un plaisir de lire tes articles, à ma connaissance tu es la personne possédant la plus incroyable collection de pinceaux sur le web.
A bientôt
(C’est malin avec tes images de pâtisserie tu m’as donné faim.)
Hello Marie,
Je ne sais pas s’il y a une différence mais je peux investiguer 🙂
merci encore ! je suis ravie !
bises ! (va prendre un bon dessert !!!) 🙂
Ditto on the RMK mascara! I have tried their W version and again my dad (who else?? 😛 ) asked me if I have changed new false lashes.. 😀
Have you tried Dolly Wink Long Mascara? Lisa Eldridge mentioned this mascara in her latest Kylie Minogue video. I can send you one if you wanna try. 🙂
Oh man, I LOVE desserts!! But I gotta be careful.. My bff told me that I gotta go slow on eating desserts cos one can never contour a whale!! 😛 😛
No I haven’t tried it yet, is it that good ?
I just laughed like a whale reading your comment 😀 😀
I have been a skin care and makeup junkie for over 4 decades. I’ve been through it all and I must say that I suggest you try a new line (3 years old) called “Tatcha” for your skincare. I am VERY sensitive and allergic and my skin cannot tolerate most brands but Tatcha is a total winner for me. It is based on geisha beauty rituals from the past and uses no parabens, sulphates and other bad ingredients. Check out the website, it is very informative. There is a sample/travel set that will last you for 3 weeks of skincare but I’m not sure whether it has the newest rich cream, although I do believe you can get a free sample with your order. I have loved everything and I think I’ve tried all of the products. I have never been able to use anywhere near all the products in any line I’ve ever come across, but Tatcha is different. Your skin will be gently but thoroughly clean, baby soft, moist and protected. This line really is different and you can feel it from the very first time you use it. Sonia, if you send me an email with your address, I can send a bunch of samples as every time I order products I get 3 free samples. I’d be happy to share them with you. They are in individual sealed packets so they are untouched by anyone.
Funny, I got a few recommendations here before and they are mostly Japanese brands 🙂
So I have taken note of them and I hope that when I’ll be in Japan (because I will) I will make sure I’ll pick up a few samples, I just cannot buy any other cream without trying it first, it’s a huge waste of money at the end if I don’t use it.
Of course I would love to try it too ! If you ever get additional samples I would be so happy to try !
I’ll send you my details for whenever you get any, no rush though 🙂
Thank you so much for your help ! really appreciating every single advice !
Hi Sonia
I have a very expensive habit also, and it is a French perfume by Frederic Malle
Portrait of a Lady bought for me by my husband because I paint portraits. It is divine and where ever I go people often ask me what I am wearing (some are men!) Also I can’t wear heavy makeup so have recently changed to Bare minerals and find.the matte powder foundation covers my flaws very well without looking too powdery or heavy
Zeta, I so need to smell Portrait of a Lady! How romantic of your husband to purchase that very fitting fragrance for you!
Hi Stacy
Please ask for a sample if you can, I don’t think you will regret it. Yes my lovely hubby is very thoughtful, but I think he was very pleased with a rather nice portrait I did of him( I would say that wouldn’t I? )
Zeta,
I will definitely have a sample sent to me, I am so intrigued! Well he should be pleased, I am sure it is much more than nice! 🙂
Hi Zeta,
I have just been watching this video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPMrxCRPLz0
It’s a lovely review of Portrait of a Lady, it made me want it so much.
If I have the possibility to test it, I will definitely let you know 🙂 but I am scared to love it ..
I was wearing Bare Minerals foundation for 3 years, I repurchased it over and over again and spent a few summers wearing only that foundation. Today I found a better option for my very dry skin but I was really in love with Bare Minerals and I still use it when the weather permits, so happy you found one that you love !
Hi Sonia
Would you mind letting me know sometime which new makeup you are now wearing. I also have very dry skin Many thanks
Hi Zeta,
For skincare I wear as a base the Astalift Jelly, then the Laura Mercier cream (without SPF), then as my foundation nearly always the Ellis Faas.
As a cleanser the Omorovizca. Please let me know if you want me to send you links of these products.
Were you meaning skincare or makeup ?
The makeup I wear on a daily basis is often the same:
A lot of RMK blushes (post coming soon), Rouge Bunny Rouge blush in Gracilis, Givenchy blush in Vintage Pink, etc..
For eyeshadows, on a daily basis I use Burberry, Kevyn Aucoin (their palette #1), Addiction eyeshadows, Shu Uemura and Chantecaille (I love the Palette d’Olivia), I also have a custom made palette from Trish McEvoy with these shadows : Soft peach for the base, Deep Taupe for the crease and as liner : blackberry granite definer, these combination is extraordinary and very flattering for my olive eyes. Otherwise I wear a LOT of Suqqu …
I will have a post on my RMK collection very soon, I am nearly at the end. I will also have a fun post soon on my daily used products, the ones that make me look like “a better me” but that don’t scream makeup if you see what I mean… Lots of things coming up 🙂
I would be so grateful if you can send me the links for your favourites. Particularly the Trish McAvoy one with the peach, taupe and blackberry shades they sound beautiful. I hope that they are matte. I have tried without success to find the Kaska beige and the shu uemura raspberry and mocha they are my favourite colours. I have not heard of Ellis Faas but seeing your complexion it looks lovely. Can I just say ,that your B F s mother is a very lucky lady to have you to help her with her computing, and I wish that I lived nearer to a town that had courses too. However the nearest is 18 miles away along country lanes and at night! I will just keep trying because I just love all the helpful things one can do to improve life. I have just realised, I can probably find the T McAvoy site myself can’t I. Please try a sample of Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady because strangely I too have an adverse reaction to some fragrances, but never to this
Hi Zeta,
I have swatched the palette here if you want to see the finish : http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2012/08/20/ultimate-flattering-matte-and-satin-eyeshadows-for-everyone/
Although you can see some little sparkles, they are not shimmery, the sparkles will go away and leave a matte but non-chalky finish.
I paste some links but you will have to choose the color you want (the link doesn’t direct to the right color).
http://www.selfridges.com/en/Beauty/Categories/Shop-Make-up-colour/Eyes/Eyeshadow/Eyeshadow_789-10053-MATTEEYESHADOW/?previewAttribute=Iris
http://www.selfridges.com/en/Beauty/Brand-rooms/Designer/TRISH-MCEVOY/Makeup/Eye-Definer-Eyeliner_789-10053-POWDEREYELINER/?previewAttribute=Lava
http://www.selfridges.com/en/Beauty/Brand-rooms/Designer/TRISH-MCEVOY/Makeup/Deluxe-Eyeshadow_789-10053-DELUXEEYESHADOW/?previewAttribute=Champagne
I cannot find a Shu Raspberry palette anymore, but I think I bought mine either in Liberty (london) or Fenwick (london), maybe they sell by phone ? Often they don’t put the products on their website 🙁
Oh I will try this perfume for sure ! I will pop in the most prestigious shop of Geneva and ask … 🙂
I also belong to the Hate Le Mer club.
On a more postive note, I’m very tempted by the Tatcha brand and will order the cleanser. I find I have to try out a product for a fortnight to see how it affects me so I’ll give it a go.
I use cream shadows only- do any of you ladies have cream eyeshadow must-haves?
My own is Skinny Jeans by Benefit but I’m always happy to find new brands and textures.
As for deserts-
My vice/addiction is medjool dates
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-medjool-dates.htm
Every other option, even chocolate, fades into a mere second-best option when compared to medjool dates.
You will love the Tatcha Camellia cleansing oil. It is the only cleansing oil on the market that DOES NOT have mineral oil in it, and therefore rinses off completely with no residue left behind to clog pores. You can use it as eye makeup remover also, so you save money there. The next step, if you wish, is to gently exfoliate, not with a scrub which can scratch and abrade the skin and result in red broken veins, but with an enzyme powder that when combined with water, will create the most silky, creamy foam. You smooth this over your face and if you treat your neck, which I hope you do, and I even apply it to the backs of my hands to keep them soft and fade any brown spots. Then rinse and see how baby-bottom soft your skin is, clean, silky and moist! The enzyme powder comes in three different strengths: the pink one is for dry sensitive skin, the white one is for normal skin with some oil in it, and the green tea one is for oily skin. I have very dry sensitive skin yet I’ve experimented with each of these and none of them will harm, burn, sting, or over exfoliate. It just dissolves the dead skin and absorbs excess oil and rinses off to reveal the silky soft skin underneath that old dried layer. Wonderful! You can use it everyday or just when you feel you need to to keep your skin at it’s best. Enjoy!
Hi Mimi! I just wanted to throw in there that I tried the Tatcha line (I got some samples when I ordered their blotting papers – which are fantastic!), and it didn’t agree with me at all :(. It gave me a burning sensation when I tried their brightening serum, not pleasant at all, and I had to wash it off after a couple of hours. I also fully expected to love their cleanser, as I’ve been using oil cleansers for a while now and love them, and also because I use camellia oil mixed in with my moisturizer every winter, and my skin loves it! Sadly, this didn’t really do it for me either. I felt it was heavy and sticky, and not at all pleasant to use. I now wonder if maybe my samples were funky or something???
As for cleansing oils, there are quite a few on the market that don’t have mineral oil in them, and the Ultim8 from Shu Uemura (which I’m not in love with either), the Amore Pacific Cleansing oil, or the Sulwhasoo Cleansing oil (my personal favorite to which I always end up coming back to) don’t have any mineral oil in them either. I’m sure there quite a few more.
Skincare is such a difficult – and personal – subject, and sadly there is nothing for it like trying. What one person likes, another, with seemingly the same skin type, will hate. A dermatologist once told me that there actually wasn’t that much science behind the practice, that the truth was that one could only guess and try. If it worked, good, if not, move on to the next thing! Kind of scary, huh?
Another thing is that skin changes: some products I used to love just don’t do anything for me anymore. I also always used to have normal skin, now in recent years it has evolved into combination skin, with a tendency to dehydration. I also used to be able to throw whatever I wanted at my skin, now many many products irritate me or break me out (or both!).
In the end, right now, what is working best for me are Korean cosmetics – my skin just soaks them up, and is happy and calm (and that’s the way I want it, lol). While I have tried a few things here and there in the last few years (and integrated some into my routine, like a Chantecaille mask, or Estee Lauder’s ANR), I have been sticking to AP and Sulwhasoo for the basics and everyday products, and will probably keep it that way until my skin changes again, and I feel the need to find something else (hopefully that day is still far far away in my future, lol).
One recent addition to my routine, has been the Clarisonic Opal. I hesitated for a long long time before purchasing, as I had read a lot of mixed reviews about it. It does take a few weeks for the effects to be seen, but I have been very pleased with the results. I use it with my regular (Sulwhasoo) eye creme. It’s also very pleasant and relaxing to use, so in the beginning I figured that even if it didn’t do anything, at least I would enjoy the twice daily use 😀
I do hope others here will share what worked for them and what didn’t, as I love trying new stuff, and like you said Mimi, learn more about my skin and its likes and dislikes. But in the end, there is nothing for it: one has to try!
Thank you for your wonderful note! This surprises me! I am wildly allergic to Chantecaille and AP. I am shocked that you can use a Clarisonic on your delicate skin. Guess it just goes to show that we all have to search around to find what works for us. It sounds to me that your skin is dehydrated, for one thing. I can ask around the counters for samples for this particular problem if you like, then I can mail them to you and you can play. Sorry my idea didn’t work for you. Have you ever tried a cleanser called Cetaphil? I’ll wrack my brain and try to think of other things that may work for you. I know glycerin, hyaluronic acid and sugar are humectants. I once tried mixing sugar and water and applying it but it was sticky! Maybe I should back off on the sugar and add glycerin? Also, I use pure rice bran oil from Japan and it soaks right into my face. You can top it off with a cream to boost the effects.
I forgot to thank you for letting me know about other oil cleansers that don’t have mineral oil. Tatcha has been the only one I’ve come across but now I shall get the Sulwhasoo brand and give it a try as I LOVE to play with skincare and makeup. I just got my first Sulwhasoo products, a powder with SPF and a BB cream with SPF50 so I’m just getting into this line.
Mimi, thank you so much for your super sweet response and offer to send me samples! Sadly, I’m moving out of States, so I think that’s out :(.
I will be very curious to see how you like the Sulwhasoo line, and hope it agrees with you :). I think you will either love or hate the scent, kind of medicinal – I find it oddly comforting 😀
Interestingly, I don’t like everything from the AP line. I just love love love the Time Response face creme (for winter, gel creme in summer), and the green tea seed oil. I didn’t like the Time Response eye creme (at all!), and their other cremes are nice but not exceptional e ought to justify the price tag in my opinion. Another one of the AP products I love is their Enzyme Peel: I use it religiously once a week :). I prefer the Sulwhasoo oil cleanser to the AP (although the AP didn’t have any negative effects on my skin, but I wasn’t crazy about the scent), and the Sulwhasoo Time Treasure eye creme is just wonderful. If you want help on the Sulwhasoo line, please call Gina at the Sulwhasoo counter in BG, and tell her I recommended you get in touch with her (maybe Sonia can be so kind and privately give you my real name 😉 ): she is very knowledgeable about the line, and just the nicest ever!
As for the Clarisonic, the one I use twice daily is the Opal, the one for around the eyes. It helps creme penetrate more deeply, but no exfoliation or anything. Although, I also have a Mia, but use the Delicate brush head, and only a few times a week. But you are right, it’s weird that it doesn’t irritate my skin, while just splashing with water induces immediate redness :(. Go figure???
But like you, I LOVE using natural oils on my face – kind of counterintuitive at first (just like oil cleansers, lol), but actually wonderful: hydrating and soothing. I need to look into rice bran oil now. Where do you get yours from?
I got the Rice Bran Oil from a website called “Wawaza”. From what I understand, the camellia oil is for hair and the rice bran for the skin. I have many of their natural Japanese skin care items and really like them all. The actual bran can be used as a gentle exfoliator for face, hands and entire body. I got the wonderful Biwako towel to scrub you body and it works great. I have that rough bumpy red skin on the backs of my arms called keratosis pylaris and body scrubs are too rough for me. I feel cut up after I use body scrub but this towel makes my skin feel like silk without abrading it. I also have the nightingale droppings for the face, and adzuki bean face polish. It is very gentle too for occasional use, say once a week or so. I love the smell of Hinoki which is Japanese cyprus wood and they have some items for the bath. I ordered them but haven’t indulged yet. Check out the site, it’s fun! Thanks for the tip about your friend at BG. BG is my idea of shopping Heaven or shopping Holy Grail! I will definitely get in touch with her so I can order the correct Sulwhasoo products for my skin. I love to play, play, play. The green tea seed oil sounds intrieging, I’ll have to check that out too! Where are you moving to, if I may ask?
I also use the Clarisonic Mia as well 🙂 I used to use it every day when I first started out, but now I’m getting lazy and I find that I don’t really want to use it too often just in case it injures the skin, in spite of all the claims that it’s gentle enough to use twice daily, so I’m using it every 2-3 days instead. I tend to use it more on the days when I’m wearing makeup.
As for natural oils, I was using rose hip oil when my skin was particularly dehydrated in winter but found that it broke me out at that time :S
Like you Bonnie, rose hip oil irritated my skin. They say it’s for dry, delicate skin but my skin is practically impossible. Rice bran oil is the only oil I can put on it without anything bad happening.
I am surprised by how many people is concerned by La Mer in a negative way.
Medjool dates ? will check that too 🙂
So many ideas for deserts from all over the planet !
Ohh…those dates look sooooo delicious Sylvia. A must try for sure!
I also love dates rolled in thin bacon & fried. The combination is so moreish:)
An alternative to wrapping dates is plitting them open and stuffing them with a mixture of cream cheese and any variety of elements. walnuts, ham, chopped dried apricots, whatever amuses you at the moment.
@Sylvia …..you really are a date connoisseur 😉 Thanks for the ideas. I need to get hold of these medjool dates!!
Me too! Now I want some dates. I like them but they are so sugary so I’ll try stuffing them with nuts, delicious! Thanks for the ideas!
These Addiction palettes for Summer 2013 look AMAZING!!!
Come on Summer!!!
http://rougedeluxe.blogspot.de/2013/02/addiction-laduree-and-lunasol-summer.html
I saw them today ! 🙂 I will get some for sure !
Tom Ford is my obsession
His brand,collection images,packaging *and Tom himself pleeease*
I don`t like the quality of his lipsticks:(
I was parfum collector,bought parfum samples in different scented groups,that is soo interesting and fun to find out(even in category “not for me,but amazing”,i save it on my desk like a book for a library).my all time favorite rose scented things,like a rose garden after thunderstorm,ohh i`m addicted.
Skincare,technology,what to do in 20-50 years old with skin(love to read before go to bed)
all your obsessions are very close to my heart,Sonia%))
but I`m weak at brushes.no testers,no samples on japanese brushes so i just read about them,it is obsession too;))but if i have enouth amount of money i will buy them all i`m sure!all japanese brushes,you know
How do you find Addiction eyeshadows Sonia?i love their cheeksticks and lip products so much!
and about La mer,not a fun,only like a glowing base for high point of the cheeks-ok.it is very popular,but not so good,overpriced for that list of ingridiens and not pleasant to use for me.I don`t have any reaction on it,just don`t like.I`m in love now with evidens de beaute,cle de peau,revive(..cost like a Boing..).For the list of ingridients+worthy price+technology i absolutly recommend Holy Land ABR restoring cream on daily basis for night,i buy it on ebay for~50$,not great texture,but miracle worker,i see the difference in my skin after 1 night.
For allergy skin conditions(maybe you already heard/tryed,any of them can help,just a suggestion) from pharmacy
1)cicaplast baume b5 in pharmacy(calm down irritation and promote reparation and you can use it on hands as well,this is not HG, but works well and easy to get,antibacterial agents+pantenol+b5).
2)IDELT cream( this is great,but not sure if it available in Switzerland)
repair and moisturize dry/very dry skin after any dermatitis(+it has antibacterial component for those breakouts too) and contains 15% of fatty acids,calm irritation,for post peel conditions,for winter skin regime- fub as well.This kind of rich creme,but not stiky with smooth finish,absorb immediatly.and can be used like a base before make up(but thaaaat smeell from fish oil- definatly not for kisses;/) .
http://www.jaldes.com/idelt_majeur.php
hope you are well,Sonia and feel better!!!
oh.last but not least,I`m obsessed with nice tea infusion (mint,rosehip) and JAPANESE chokolate!!!
Hi Margaret !
Next thing is I want the TF Neroli Portofino poster to decorate my new studio 😛 cheeeeekeyyyy (you know the one you turn around when the parents come over 😀 )
aaaah your obsessions are sweet and fun 🙂
I am loving Addiction eyeshadows (not that much their powder blushes), did you see the post on them ?
Thanks to you I have a huge list of products to try for my skin !
I really appreciate it !
I am still sick… was working from home these days, desperately hoping to recover, hate it to be weak like this 🙁
Do you know the teas : tea pigs ? http://www.teapigs.co.uk/
super expensive but I love them !
Japanese chocolate ??? 😮
thank u) i missed your addiction post and going to hit the internet!
chocolate by Royce,In case you see it someday-grab and run.
I like in blue box (it is white chocolate on ice with very special creme texture)
I need to find it !! there is a shop in Geneva where they have specialities, I hope they have it..
is that the left one ?
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AeMIlocmZFM/TNKtt9ubrmI/AAAAAAAACnY/g_VtOoFgl3o/s1600/IMG01919-20101102-1011.jpg
Yes,exactly!!!i’m so happy for you,think you liked it:)))
Oh, no. Japanese chocolate. So much to try out there. Any particular brand of Japanese chocolate?
Hello! I enjoy reading your Tanseido posts and have a few questions if you can kindly answer.
How do you find the Japan delivery company you used? I am also looking for one with relatively low rate (I heard about EMS) but I don’t know how to find trustworthy ones. ( Why don’t Tanseido ship by EMS? It’s weird, Hakuhodo do that!)
How long does it usually take from your experience for Chikuhodo or Hakuhodo or Tanseido or Koyudo to ship to a Japanese location? I am thinking of combined shipment…
Ch. and Ha. don’t offer discount but 2 set season, how about other brands?
The biggest question: I saw that your order of Tanseido mainly compose of goat brushes, is thereany other hair type you would try or are they good enough? They also replace much Hakuhodo brushes from your list, are they that good?
I am a square faced Asian with no obvious crease line (have to fake ones) having very sensitive skin as seasonal change can dry my cheeks out. Recently I am developing my brush collection in the ch. Z series and softer Ha. lines. I want to learn more about different hair types although I am fond of your J series intro. What can I order from the Ha. for eye brushes like kolinsky, weasel or just anything red Squirrel from Tanseido?
Hi Gladys !
Thanks, loving Tanseido here ! 🙂
I have contacted Tanseido personally, they confirmed they don’t ship internationally, and actually I felt like they think there is no market for them outside of Asia… they asked me if there was any interest, to what I answered positively.
I used Tenso, very easy and extremely fast, I think it took just a week from the moment I order at Tanseido, received the goods at Tenso and home in Europe… it was perfect and cheap.
You are asking if other brands like Tanseido offer seasonal sets ? right ? Not sure I understand your question sorry about that.
I also own a few squirrel ones (red, grey), they are all fantastic, all absolutely perfect. Here you can see some pictures of the squirrel brushes I own: http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2013/01/04/tanseido-brushes-first-order-and-first-impressions/
Yes they replace many Hakuhodo, they are that fantastic. I just wish they had more different shapes and options.
I don’t use many kolinsky brushes, my favorites are without any doubt the Shu Uemura kolinsky brushes (kolinsky or sable/kolinsky), better than Chikuhodo or Hakuhodo in my opinion, so if you want to go into that material I recommend you to try the Shu Uemura. I have some pics and a review here : http://sweetmakeuptemptations.com/2012/12/16/shu-uemura-brush-review-12-10-8hr-10f-7h-5r/
Tanseido do not have red squirrel for eye brushes, as far as I know…
Please let me know if you need any links for Tenso.
Thx so much for your long reply! Can’t help to feel relived for your patience.
Luckily I have read more about delivery service, I have finally discovered that people say Japanese hotels can help to collect parcels for foreign visitors! Fingers crossed for my order deadline). Another girl online is going to organize a Suqqu haul service also, YAY again!
Do you still have pending orders or new shopping lists for Tanseido brushes? I would love to read more comments on the brand (the website is not user-friendly to let me know the hair type in the preview pages…
Your website is so resourceful that I am sorry I still need months to go through them and please forgive if I ask addressed question.
Though you have freshly written a holy grail post, I still have a few specific questions,
1. I made a loose eye shadow purchase from the indie, small-scaled DIY makeup sellers of US, their eye shadows often has rich glitter or shimmer content, and a so refined power that the product promise to stain the goat brushes awfully and stick to every strand of the brush hair which urge me to deep clean them by their pity look. Not to mention relatively more product is needed in each application to reach the right color intensity. This is so unlike MAC’s pigment that can give a sheer surface with less product! But I don’t want to give them up! What hair type of brush or even an exact brush you would recommend?
2. Tom Ford eye palette has color show-up problem, especially the glitter grids of the permanent shades. I can’t make them show the pan color at all, only the silicone looking eye pad by MAC solve the problem and give the glitter grid back its base color instead of flying glitters, do you think any brush can solve the same problem? I used the MAC duo fibre eye brush, still every hair dance in the glitter party even I am doing a single swipe.
http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/136/22079/Products/Accessories/Applicators/Eye-Applicator/index.tmpl
3. Many people especially MAC MAs L-O-V-E duo fibre brush that gives circular motion, but that feels weird to me as I have to go circles and circles like doing exfoliation. I know I can be wrong as no such thing ever happened. So as a sensitive skin kind of person like you, do you suggest old fashioned MAC 190 rype or stick with your J series split fibre or Koyudo massive goat? How about the angled duo fibre like G5557 brush? Many people give bad comments on the Chikuhodo GS10 and GS12 for foundations, sadly. The buffing brush from core collection from Real Technique seriously damage my face when I wanted to apply powder foundation (TAT)
4. this is embarrassing, but I need a brush for applying base product and moisturizer of higher price, somebody say G517 is good, what do you think?
5. I only have experience for MAC 217 kind of blending brush, I can’t understand how flat blending brush or 224 kind of long hair length, small doom head brush work. So, among all your HG suggestions, can I get the same results? Especially when I intend to blend out into any shape like MAC 217 can instead of producing a blurred edge only?
Is there any commonly known Japanese brush brand ranking? I noticed other readers suggested new brands to you again. All blogs I read about talk about 3 brands only:
Chikuhodo = Tanseido > Hakuhoo
I love goat for frequent cleansing potential, but Japanese companies always speak against wet cleansing, in reality, goat brushes can’t get color product off with tissue that easily. Can’t they understand? (sigh)
My English is bad, my discount question is about, Hakuhodo and Chikuhodo only launch sets as a kind of buyer benefits, but not discount %, do you know if other brands can offer seasonal discounts on individual brushes?
Did you took photos when you unbox the Tenso boxes? Their packing design seems to take up much space and weight.
I think you would love the brush marking service as they can help you mark the model no. on the brush for your convenience. So much fun!
Just some side notes, Koyudo comes to Hong Kong 3 times a year, but people don’t know about the brand at all, so sad. And did you look at the toothbrush looking MAC brushes? Weirdest thing I have ever seen……
http://www.specktra.net/t/180927/mac-early-buzz-news-on-products-for-2013/1740
p.s. I have these questions for ages, having one or two solved is good enough for me, thx again!
Hi Gladys,
I just need some time to try to address your questions the best that I can, so I will reply to you shortly.
no rush plx, I won’t have a brush haul in the coming trip, shipment to my city is cheap, I can buy my choices anytime 🙂
This is just to start a conversation and I may have to add more in the future, responses in bits is the flow I expect in a blog.
And I have to correct myself, I will go with goat as all other soft hair types can’t take that much cleansing (I can’t be sure about non-squirrel hair types.)
Hi Gladys,
1) I don’t know these kind of shadows but I probably would use a sponge type applicator for this kind of textures. Then there are other brushes like the Raccoon brush from Kose Addiction that *I think* is good with pigments and loose shadows but it’s too rough on my eyelids and not pleasant to use.
2) same as above, I would use sponge type applicators, but there is no solution, particles will fly, unless you place them on top of Mac paintpots or creamy textures. There are also some liquids to set (or transform) powder eyeliners into a more sticky long-lasting texture, that might be a good idea so you may want to try that. Just apply some on a sponge tip applicator and rub the corner of the eyeshadow, not sure it will work though… but it’s just an idea.
I don’t like duo-fiber brushes for eyeshadow application, unless it’s wet.
3) you should stick to duo-fiber brushes if you have very flaky skin but Koyudo goat brushes are very soft and not a problem for me, maybe choose bigger brushes that have longer bristles, they will be more gentle. Sometimes I am afraid you really have to give them a try and see. On very special occasions I cannot use goat brushes so I cannot recommend you 100% goat brushes since I don’t know how your skin will react.
4) if the moisturizer is high price I would use the fingers, if you want to use a brush yes maybe a flat and synthetic brush is a better option to not waste too much product.
5) not sure I understand the question but I will read it again later…
There are many many brands in Japan, some have the same manufacturer, in my page “shopping links” you can see a few but there are still many more, it’s just a matter of time and money to discover all of them 🙂 I will carry on ordering different brands and show them to you in my blog.
I clean my squirrel brushes with water but not too often and with baby shampoo, the goat brushes I clean them very often and I don’t have a problem… so I don’t really bother about what they say.
yes Tenso boxes are quite big, still go inside my letter box but since I have to pay taxes, I have to collect them at the Post office anyway, I don’t have pictures, I should take some next time.
I am not very interested at all by toothbrush looking brushes … not very appealing but I would love to see them in action 🙂
I hope this helps 😉
Hi Sonia
Firstly thank you for the tip for washing my brushed with the Savonne soap-my older brushes have been reborn into fluffy bunnies. I recently reviewed my Shu Uemura pallette from spring 2013, my first one and was so disappointed !-since u love your chocolate Donna one so much , should I give Shu another chance when new palettes are released?
Hi !
So glad it helped !
I saw your review, I was considering buying that palette but I think I got too many Suqqu and need to restrain myself, in a way I am relieved it’s not that good.
The chocolate Donna is actually really good, great color pay off, great textures to choose from (matte, shimmery, sparkly and satin) and there isn’t one shade that I cannot use, I hope Shu quality is not decreasing, but I could not say, I don’t know what they will release in the future… with some brands you can get great and terrible quality, even Le Metier or Chantecaille can have bad palettes 🙁
I have read your Koyudo posts, may I bring forth these questions before my previous comments?
1. To apply foundation product on sensitive and sometimes flaky skin, do you still think fu-pa05p is the better choice out of the fu-pa family?
2. You praised the 2012 Christmas set, would the result be much better to use the sets for foundation and primer/moisturizer separately or I can stick with fu-pa-05 with moisturizer, primer, foundation together?
3. If the set is better, fu-pa10p was addressed for primer, is it better than Hakuhodo J4002/ G545/ G157?
Hi Gladys,
1. When I have extremely flaky skin (it happens when I play with other skincare I shouldn’t…), I use the Fu-pa09 or 05, I hold them at 90° against my skin and gently blend the foundation and stay away from 100% goat brushes.
2. I apply the primer with my fingers at the moment, the heat of the fingers helps and it doesn’t get too much wasted inside the bristles (I just apply a tiny bit), I think you can stick to one good brush that does everything, but would apply moisturizer and primer with the fingers unless it’s a texture that it’s better to use brushes.
3. For primer, yes better than the J4002 because you can more precisely apply it. the G545 will be more gentle with your skin. G157 ? maybe you are talking about the G517 ? if yes I don’t own it but I don’t usually like flat foundation brushes, they often have less blending power, but it depends on the brush…
Love your genius experience sharing! Actually I re-enter my cosmetics life for less than 2 years. My brush experience is started by and heavily influenced by various makeup service session or paid makeup lesson at MAC (I figure no other brands here give me that much professional makeup advice or brush common sense).
After reading your blog and youtube channels like the Lisa Eldridge, I am introduced to diversity of brushes! Chinese forums rave about the S series too much when there are so many more we can choose from! Not to mention replace MAC permanent brush line.
So I think you may figure I am a true beginner as I still ask for opinions for flat foundation brush. MAC 190 is my first try, although duo fibre 187 was later recommended but I can’t feel less trusting and comfortable with what my first lesson experience, right? : )
I luckily find various blogs like yours, delicate hummingbird, drivel about frivol and many more to give me life saver experience to make a purchase! (Yes, Koyudo is coming at the end of this month, and my brother is going to Japan the 2nd time in the year).
I cannot thank you enough for your help, and I may be able join the discussions here with better ideas as I am also my brush collection.grows ; )
BTW, I totally don’t understand the structure purpose of the brush head of fu-pa13-p sort of brushes……I emailed Koyudo and was answered that they will bring the fu-pa family to my city (yay! many minor selling points in Japan don’t hold that line!), but they would charge more than their Japanese selling price even there is no import tax here.
I think we all evolve, we discover new brushes and acquire new favorites that match our current needs, we are lucky to have access to great brushes like the ones from Koyudo, just to mention one brand because it’s full of wonderful brands out there !
Let us know how you like your new brushes and have fun, it’s the most important thing 😉
I have to contact Koyudo too, I have a few questions…
Lucky you’ll have access to them, I could never have them close to me, I would spend all my time in their shops 😀
I’m new to this, too, Gladys and I’m glad we’re all learning together! I’m deeply enamoured of the Koyudo brushes I have, but I’ve learned that each cosmetic product needs a specific brush to function well, so I’m enjoying gradually acquiring different brushes for the same function. Have fun exploring the possibilities of your brushes!
I am looking forward to the future blog sharings for more Japanese brush brands!
Koyudo is really ambitious in being internationally recognized! The boss travels to any other countries having the SOGO department Store there. The boss speaks Chinese!
The active response supported by all kind readers and blog holder is what I value here : )
you are absolutely right, their participation is really precious to this blog and it helps all of us a lot !
OMG, Koyudo will launch a Fu-pa14 brush at the end of March! Grey squirrel with goat, the shape is very kabuki alike brush (I am quite satisfied with my MAC kabuki, so I’m not too excited), um…not a shape I would expect to see in the Fu-pa family.
I am so worried that I don’t have the Hakuhodo brush cleanser liquid, the bobbi brown cleanser is known for making brush a bit too soft, and baby shampoo is blamed for having silicone thing as ingredient…
Oh no, the fu-pa14 looks exactly the same as Fu-pa01 except for the brush handle, is it a typo by the official site?
Hi Gladys,
It looks like there are two :
http://www.koyudo.co.jp/product/makebrushset/freshset.html
http://www.koyudo.co.jp/product/vwgift/vwgift02.html
but the bristles seem longer than the Fu-pa01, I need to check when I am at home 🙂
I don’t have the Hakuhodo and I haven’t tried it either but I quite enjoy the BB at this moment for my goat brushes…
I don’t think you need to worry, I have the Hakuhodo brush cleanser, and while it is a perfectly fine cleanser, i will not re-purchase. Using my hair shampoo works just as well and since I use shampoos that contain few to no harmful chemicals, I feel confident that my brushes will be fine. Just my personal opinion.
Then, do you use the BB “Spray” for quick cleaning of squirrel brushes, after applying deeper e/s colors? I mean I don’t hesitate for goat brushes, but as for other hair type, I am quite…
I am worried about using the BB “spray” for my Chikuhodo Z series.
No I don’t use BB with squirrel brushes, I just use mild shampoo for when I wash them and on a daily basis I just wipe them with a clean paper towel, (dry), that’s all 🙂