Monday 21 January 2013

Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup

My experience with powders is more or less limited because I haven't been using them for a long time, nor have I tried many brands. My skin is dry so I was skeptical about how such a product would work on me.

The only reason I started using powder was for setting liquid foundations, mainly to prolong their longevity.

So far I was somewhat successful, either with the Mac MSF natural or with the Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten powder. The main drawback though was the powdery look but it was nothing that my Mac Fix+ couldn't fix.

It goes without saying that I've been searching for a better product and I have been lusting for a long time over the Laura Mercier mineral powder foundation that everyone has been raving about. The truth is that I was very reluctant to pay 40-50 euros for a product that seemed not suited for my skin type.

Until one day, when I watched this review of the Dior Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup from pinkiecharm and it was the first time I heard about this powder foundation. Afterwards I did some more search online and I read only good stuff about it.

Coincidentally there was a 35% off sales at some store so I decided to give it a try and I got it in the lightest shade available here, that is #20 Light Beige.

The packaging didn't rock my world because the size of it is quite small so it's hard to use a standard powder brush, it loads only partially with the product.

Also, the shifter doesn't have the rotating cover that allows you to reveal just a few of the holes. Instead, there is an internal transparent removable lid that keeps the powder from going everywhere.

This lid is also indispensable because it helps retain the quality of the product intact.

As for the shifter itself, I removed the sealing tape only partially in order to contain as much of the powder inside it.

And these are the only negatives I could find of this product. The rest of it simply perfect!

Company description: This loose powder foundation contains 20% water and offers the skin the sensation of freshness upon application. Water acts as a veritable moisturizing and energizing coctail for the skin. The complexion glows with radiance and with daily use the skin becomes more and more luminous. Apply after fluid foundation or alone for a silky and transparent finish.

It comes in 7 shades but I believe that the lightest one, #10 Ivory is not available here.

What I think it is: Dior's next level interpretation of a mineral powder foundation

I love it because:

  • It's the finest milled, silkiest powder I've ever tried
  • It feels like nothing on my face
  • It doesn't cake or set into fine lines, even if i apply a little heavily, not even after many hours
  • It gives a gorgeous flawless and fresh finish that looks like skin instead of something on my skin.
  • It doesn't oxidize on me (hooray!)
  • It doesn't dissolve midday, it just stays put (hooray again!)
  • Worn alone it gives a decent coverage.
  • Used moderately on top of a liquid foundation, it can provide almost full coverage without the mask effect.
  • Although it does contain Bismuth Oxychloride in its ingredients, for some reason it doesn't itch at all. I have had this problem with the first mineral powder I tried, from ELF.

How I use it:

Because it is so fine and lightweight I just pour some into the internal lid and then gently pick up some on my brush. Then I tap it all over my face and then I buff it in.

I have used the Sigma Sigmax F82 brush and the Elf Studio Powder Brush to buff it in and they both work fine.

All in all, to me this is a HG status product.
 
As always, if you're interested in it, go to a store and try it on prior to purchase. What works for one person may not work for another.
 
That's it for now, I hope you're all well and thriving!

Sunday 13 January 2013

What's in my bag!

First of all, da bag!

This is an old (3-4 years?) flesh/ powder kind of pink Guess bag and it was love at first sight!
It's by far my most worn purse, all year around and although the corners are a bit beaten up, I can't see my self stop wearing it any time soon (maybe I'm a tiiiny bit obsessed with it, lol!).
It has a convenient pocket at the back where a keep my mobile and some chewing gum. I have also attached a cute hand sanitizer from Accessorize.
Here 's a peek inside!
And that's everything in it currently: work folio, purse, car papers folder, makeup bag, car keys (yep, this is a strawberry coin purse you see!), tissue paper and some chewing gum.
My work folio/diary: although I loved my Filofax A5 Graphic zip, it was too bulky and cumbersome. So I switched to the A5 Filofax Flex and so far I'm quite pleased, especially because it is very lightweight so that I can easily carry it around with me.
Car papers folio: I made this cute little folder for something else at first but then I realized it would be perfect for the papers for my car. On the left side I keep receipts and random papers.
Here's the inside.
My wallet: this is a Malden mini Filofax in Vintage Pink that I currently use as my wallet. I love the fact that I have my personal planner as well as note paper, cards, etc in it. In front I keep bank cards and a very handy transparent envelop.
This is the back and here I keep store cards (sephora etc) as well as...
...this little guy! It's a Victorinox SwissCard Lite and has quite a few quirky little helpers!
Here I keep banknotes, my Id and car license.
Last but not least, here 's my makeup bag. It hasn't changed much since i showed it in this post, I just added my Dior lipbalm, an H&M hand cream, an YSL mini eyeliner pencil and a mini Dior mascara.
That's all for now, I hope you're all well and thriving!
 

Monday 7 January 2013

Guerlain Meteorites: Perles du Dragon and Teint Rose 01

I decided to kick off 2013 with a spectacular product and I'm wishing you all to have a spectacular year!

Meteorites Perles: created by Guerlain, they're supposed to create an even, flawless and radiant complexion due to light manipulation "technology".

They can be used as a highlight on the high planes of the cheeks etc, or as a setting powder for all over glow.

They also come in various formats (compact, in loose form, with more or less fine shimmer) and color combinations.

It's a fact that I've been lusting over the Meteorites by Guerlain for a very long time but never actually visited a Guerlain counter to even see them in person, mainly because:

  • I thought they were exuberantly expensive and also because
  • I was very skeptical about the actual result of this product, thinking that it probably was just the emperor's new clothes.
But, life works in mysterious ways and now I'm happy to own not one but two of these little containers of mirth.

Meteorites Perles du Dragon: I came across these online, while browsing the new (holiday 2012) collections and I immediately loved the black tin with the brushed gold rosette on top. But that was about it.

A few days later, at work, we exchanged christmas gifts with my immediate colleagues the way we do it for a few years now: we collect money all year long (delivery change etc) and coming Christmas we add a little sum and each one of us gets an "unexpected" Christmas present, usually something fun and totally unnecessary!

So imagine my surprise when I opened a little sephora bag and saw this! I did the happy dance on the spot! After a second I started complaining that they shouldn't gift me something so expensive but the colleague that actually went to the store reassured me that it wasn't that expensive because there was a 35% off sales!

The biggest surprise came later on, when I actually used it all over my face: I was smitten!

Although I couldn't see anything (apart from a sparse extra tiny soft iridescence in very close inspection, like 2 cm from the mirror) my face looked like it was lit, like I was in the shadow and stepped into the light! It looked brighter, fresher, softer, my (moderate) imperfections were somehow blurred, it worked in a way that I had never seen before, with any product.

It goes without saying that I was mightily impressed and I wore it every night during the holidays, either for family gatherings or for going out and regardless the occasion, I got more compliments than before!

The facts: Perles du Dragon are from the holiday 2012 LE Liu collection by Guerlain. The actual product is named after the current chinese year of the dragon. The whole collection was inspired by Liu, a famous oriental fragrance by Guerlain.

Meteorites Perles in 01 Teint Rose: it took me just one day (after receiving the Perles du Dragon) to run to the store and buy the "everyday" form (meaning less iridescent and more appropriate for daylight) of the Meteorites. I was lucky to find them still on 35% off sales, so I (think) i paid 36€. It's definitely not cheap but I still believe this is the best makeup splurge of my life (so far, lol!).

The effect is the same as with the Perles du Dragon but more subtle and undetectable to the eye. It's like a transparent veil of light, blurring imperfections, softening lines and giving a fresh radiance and glow to my - otherwise - dull complexion. It also works perfectly as a setting powder and I also think that it keeps my makeup from oxidizing, even during long working days (8+ hours).
 
The facts: Meteorites Perles come it three shade variations:
  • 01 Teint Rose is the lightest one and it is supposed to brighten the complexion,
  • 02 Teint Beige is supposed to give a warm glow to the skin and
  • 03 Teint Dore is supposed to brighten golden complexions
The tin comes with 30g of product, meaning that they will last for years, even with everyday use.
How I use it: I turn it once upside down (with the lid on of course, lol!) so that any loose powder will come on top of the beads. Then I take a large brush and swirl it into them and I dust the powder all over my face. I repeat once more (or twice), it never gets cakey although my skin is dry. I use it on top of liquid foundation, on top of powder foundation, on bare skin, it works any way. I also use it to set my under eye concealer.It doesn't fade, it doesn't oxidize or alter in any way, it just stays put all day long.

One last thing: inside the tin there is a latex sponge. It's there so as to keep the beads snugly into the tin. I don't use it to apply the powder on my face not only because it would be unsanitary but also because it will compromise the product in the long run.

To me this is a very impressive product. Be cautious though because what works for one person may not work for another. So, in case you got tempted, before you spend your money on it, got to a Guerlain counter and ask the SA to apply it on you. Don't decide on the spot. Continue with your day plan, just check yourself in the mirror a few times (lol!). If you like what you see, in sunlight, in the shadow, in store lights, then this product is for you!

 

That's all for now, hope you're all well and thriving!

 

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