RMK Nail Color EX P-03 Medium Beige review/ swatch

I actually wore this shade a bit longer ago but never got around to sorting the photos. I decided to review this right after the Maquillage BE223 shade so you can see how much the underlying beige tones can change the overall look of the nail color.

This is RMK Nail Color EX in P-03 medium beige, "P" stands for "Pearl" in the RMK nail polish charts.

It looks rather beautiful in the bottle, like a neutral soft beige with some white or silver based shimmers- the shimmers are so fine it's more like pearlized shimmers.

Each RMK polish contains 12ml.

Ok here is where the 'slight' disappointment comes in. It's actually a little bit 'thick' for me in terms of consistency- you can see the finger tip on the very right has a unnaturally thick layer since I accidentally gooped on too much (and couldn't be bothered to restart given I usually apply my nail colors right before bedtime).

Consistency aside, the color is probably too nude for my liking. It is true nude beige with a white/silvery pearl finish, there isn't too much peach or pink inside to balance it out. If it came with a golden pearl shimmer it might work better? However it is a unique color indeed and I cannot think of anything else I have remotely similar. Reminds me slightly of Chanel cashmere nail polish at most in terms of base color but it is still quite different.

I can imagine it might look a bit too 'bandaid' color like for people with even more tanned skintones.

Overall 2/5. It's not a terrible color or terrible consistency, just that I've had nicer nudes and beiges. It'll be unfair to say I hate it given the color code name does clearly say Medium Beige and this is exactly what you get =P

Shiseido Maquillage Nail Color BE223 swatch/ review

This is probably the Maquillage nail polish released in 2010 or maybe late 2009- from 2011 on the packaging has changed.

I always felt the change was probably due to the 2009/2010 nailpolishes being of inconsistent and sometimes poor quality, especially the more metallic or frosty shades- they tend to be quite uneven, gluggy and streaky at times.

However, for the creme, pastel and pearly shades, they perform quite well. Here's BE223 (BE stands for 'beige' tone).

Comes in a nice elongated bottle- contains 10ml which is the standard size for most Japanese department store brand polishes.

Here's the nail swatch- my nail was actually in pretty poor condition for the last 2 weeks because of the weather- it's weak at the tips and breaks easily. However this polish seems to mask that quite well.

On the nails it's a soft beige peach, a tinge of pink, but slightly more beige peach. It's soft enough not to turn into a muddy beige or look like a bandaid shade. Well balanced nude color. I would think it looks nicer on pale skin than tanned skin due to the beige tone though.

It has a pearly finish- not frosty. Good coverage with 2-3 coats. I'm wearing 2 coats on all nails.

Overall rating is 4/5. It wore reasonably well, a good 4 days before small chipping while I was travelling.  I would recommend trying the french and pastel/ softer shades from the Maquillage Nail Color series in this design and really do avoid most metallic or frosty shades. (the very shimmery or foiled shades seem to be fine though). Not sure about the current 2011 versions and overall performance just yet- I will get to those shortly!

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Lipsticks PK356, PK341, PK332, PK339, PK319, BG932 reviews and pictures

Shu Uemura released a lot of the limited edition Rouge Unlimited Lipsticks in various pinks and nudes for 2011 Spring sakura pink collection.

These ones feature pink tube packaging instead of the normal lucite clear ones.

From left to right are: PK356, PK341, PK332, PK339, PK319 and BG932.

PK stands for Pink, while BG stands for Beige. this is how Shu Uemura color code works.

PK356 is a medium brightened fuschia pink. It's not neon fuschia, but definitely brightish.

PK341 is still a slightly brighter medium rose pink. It's a bit more neutral toned.

PK332 is a cool pink with a touch of rose- very office appropriate shade and understated.

PK339 is a slightly pastel cherry blossom petal pink. It's not a very soft pink, but there is a slight creaminess to this color which makes the color a bit less translucent looking than the others.

PK319 is a cool mauve pink. On its own the mauve is not so obvious but once placed with the other shades, you can see it's a cool mauve undertone.

BG932 is a nude beige with peach undertones- it's not those dead nude color but a very wearable, everyday nude beige peach. It doesn't scream 'brown' based but is very flattering on warm skintoned girls.

All the rouge unlimited lipsticks are quite true to color in the tube, as Shu Uemura prides itself in the its pigment technology. I find that while being true to the color in the tube, it doesn't necessarily mean being flattering when worn. They are slightly creamy, light shine, but not full opaque. It's emollient enough without being slippery or too creamy looking.

I'll try to update some swatch pictures- still trying to master how to make color swatches look good.

Overall rating 4/5. Definitely worth trying a few shades out =)

Paul & Joe Moisturizing Mist N review

My general feel about all these facial mists or sprays is they are essentially just water. There's no need to pay a fortune to buy a super expensive one. Every now and then, I do buy those Avene eau de thermale though- as Avene does feel a bit soothing on the skin (and quite convenient for leaving in the bedroom where you do not have other water source near by).

This is Paul & Joe's 2011 version of the moisturizing mist N. It comes in a super pretty and very light metallic aerosal can. The nozzle  bit is in a champagne gold plastic while the bottle is in the Paul & Joe signature white with the orange blossom leave prints.

Instruction says to spray at least 30cm (or 12") away from skin and apply with your hands. Close eyes and mouth during spray. Can be used over or under makeup.

Here it is on the skin- the mist is super fine so even macro photography cannot pick up much visible water droplets (which is the issue I have with a lot of these facial mists since water droplets that are too big can melt your makeup, instead of rehydrating the makeup).

Has a very faint orange blossom scent. Overall this is not intended to replace a toner or anything like that, instead it just offers some portable freshness. I leave the bottle at work and spray on hotter summer afternoons as I sit next to a full wall of window.

Overall 4/5. Does its job. Aerosol can means the mist is ultra fine. However 60ml is not very much, and you can probably find cheaper alternatives. I'm guessing this retails below 20USD. Not a necessity, but if you were after a water mist and like to use one regularly, this is a good option. ( I still find avene more soothing and obviously better value for money- but the Paul & Joe one looks just way prettier).

Stash visit- Chanel lips- Rouge Allure/ Rouge Coco lipsticks pictures

Here's a visit to my collection... I wish I'd get around to swatching more makeup.

The theme today is Chanel rouge allure luminous satin lip color lipsticks in the roses and reds family. (also a few Rouge Coco lipsticks)

1. Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick #58 AUDACE

 2. Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick #32 Syncomore

3. Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick #68 Emotive

4. Chanel Rouge Allure #76 Captive

5. Chanel Rouge Allure in Byzantin (this one does not have a shade color code, as it is limited edition for 2011).

6. This isn't quite a rouge Allure...I only just noticed... well this is a rouge coco:

Chanel Rouge Coco 25 Vendome:

I have to admit I admire my red lipsticks far more than I wear them. Maybe a few more years I will be brave enough to sport around red lips. I'll do a post later for the 'entry level' normally-pink-lips-wearer-friendly-reds though.

Recent purchases - Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Palette, Pink Oyster Shimmerbrick, Glitter lip gloss Baby pictures

I really struggle to find time to do proper swatches especially for makeup items- lighting has so much to do with how the pictures turn out when it comes to swatches (not so much product itself).

Well here are some pictures first, for Bobbi Brown and the theme is pink!

Bobbi Brown Pink Oyster Shimmerbrick- I think this was limited edition for 2010- but it still floats around ebay and maybe those US outlets.

2. Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Palette - this was 2011 I think.

Contains: Ivory eyeshadow, pink flannel eyeshadow, pink chiffon shimmer wash, chocolate caviar eyeshadow.

The blush is "Pretty pink" which is a limited edition color to this palette.

Also contains  "soiree pink " glitter lip gloss , bubble bath lipigloss and sandwash pink lip color.

The last one is Bobbi Brown glitter lip gloss in #31 Baby.

Personally this is probably the most gimmicky Bobbi Brown item (not sure why I purchased it either given I'm not a fan of pan lipglosses). It's pretty sheer and the shimmers are like the name suggested, on the glittery side.

It's gradually warming up in Sydney (seems like it went from winter straight to summer...where did the spring go...)

What are your recent pink purchases?

LaVie Eye Lab De wrinkle Eye Patch mask with collagen and vitamins complex review

I actually got these are freebies from one of my HK purchases a while ago (I believe it's sold in selected HK drugstores like Watsons/ Mannings etc). I would guess the price to be around 20USD for a box of 5? (this is just purely based on the price of their eye cream which I can see from online it's sold for 200HKD which is just 27USD or something so it's likely the eye masks will be around similar prices).

These are basically sheet eye masks for the undereye area. This one is targeted at wrinkles.

Here's what it looks like after I open the pack. The sheet mask feels like a normal sheet mask for the face but in a thinner finish. It adhere to under eye area very well.

This actually performs surprisingly well- I've always used eye masks on and off (usually only freebies or ones that come in a set or something) and never really found them to be miraculous.  However this eye mask certainly did hydrate and seems to plump up the undereye skin area. (As it plumps up slightly, hence the 'dewrinkling'. I do not have much issues with fine lines or crows feet so that's all I can observe.

The next morning my undereye area does feel a bit smoother and makeup goes over it easier.

Overall 4/5. Does what it promises- not sure if it will dewrinkle serious wrinkles or crows feet, but for girls in their late 20s or 30s this will be a nice simple eye mask that won't break the bank.

Bobbi Brown Bare Sparkle 15 High Shimmer Lip Gloss review/ swatch

Bobbi Brown released a bunch of the new "High Shimmer Lip Gloss" shades in 2011. I grabbed what seemed like a nice nude pink shade in "Bare Sparkles" online.

This shows you the importance of reading other online reviews or trying to find some swatches. It looks gorgeous like a champagne pink shimmer lipgloss in the tube. Comes in an elongated tube which contains a decent 7ml size.

Here it is again under a slightly more yellow light which brings out the peach tone. I would really say this is more a nude champagne- peach (and less pink).

Now for the (disappointing) swatches. It really just looks like this. you can see the base color is practically clear- the sparkles are just bits of champagne pale gold shimmers.

On the lips for me it's really just a clear lipgloss with some sparkles. It's not supepr high shine or high shimmer like the name suggested either.

I was eating before taking the swatch so you can see my lips are a bit naturally redder in the middle - and this does not cover or even out my lipcolors at all. Basically you should think of this as a clear lipgloss.

Everything else about this gloss was at best, average. You can find 40580182481 drugstore lipgloss like this at a fraction of the price. The formula is ok, not ultra sticky but it's not as smooth and luscious as Armani lip shimmer or as 'crystal' like gloss as Chanel aqualumiere glosses either. This gets a 2/5 from me.