Monday, October 19, 2015

Gerard Cosmetics Star Powder Audrey Review and Swatches

Gerard Cosmetics is an indie brand that has gotten really popular lately, especially on Instagram, where I see so many posts on the brand on there. So I couldn't resist, and started buying some Gerard Cosmetics myself, and ended up with a tiny collection of their lipsticks, lipglosses, and their Star Powder in Audrey. So, I thought I'd start by reviewing the Star Powder in Audrey first!


Gerard Cosmetics Star Powder Audrey: A gold shimmer powder

Anyway, Gerard Cosmetics is available to purchase from their website, and while the prices seem a bit expensive at first glance, there are always codes floating around for various deals, e.g. a 3 for $25 lipstick or lipgloss deal. Anyway, the Star Powders have been getting quite a lot of love on Instagram, so I thought I'd get one for myself! Most of the shades were a little too dark for me (unless I was looking for a bronzer or blush), so I got Audrey, which is a beige champagne shade.

Gerard Cosmetics Star Powder Audrey Highlighter Shimmer
Gerard Cosmetics Star Powder Audrey: One of several shades of Star Powder

As is my style, let's start with a quick look at the ingredients list, and then we'll go on to the swatches and reviews! I also did a comparison with one of the more similar shades of highlighters in my stash, too!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar Review and Ingredients Analysis!

Philosophy's Renewed Hope In A Jar moisturizer, as the name suggests, is a "renewed", new and improved version of Philosophy's iconic Hope In A Jar moisturizer. I happen to be running a giveaway for a jar of Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar and Purity Cleanser right now (which you can enter if you are a Singapore resident), so I figure that there's no better time to do a review of the new Renewed Hope In A Jar!


Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar: The new and improved version of Hope In A Jar

According to the Philosophy website, the "the revolutionary lightweight, whipped formula of hope in a jar is renewed and infused with a new innovation: clinically proven skin renewal technology", in particular "a triple blend of alpha hydroxy acids, 3 forms of hyaluronate plus an asian fruit extract". The old version was already pretty popular, so I imagine the new one is going to turn some heads!

I'm a big fan of acids, and both AHAs and BHAs have both worked well for me in the past, so I was definitely keen to try this out! And if you're like me, chances are you're probably pretty excited about the AHAs too, and you're probably wondering - what are the AHAs that are in the product, and is the product formulated to allow the AHAs to function optimally? And also, are there any other benefits beyond AHAs in this product?

Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar Bottle
Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar: The latest moisturizer from Philosophy

Don't worry though - we're going to look at all of these questions in my review. It's going to be a bit long, because we'll be looking both at the overall formulation of the product, as well as aspects of the product that are specific to AHAs (e.g. the AHAs inside it, and the pH of the product), but I hope it will be worth it! This also means we're going to get comfortable spending some time getting to know our ingredients list, so let's get started!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Singapore Giveaway: Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar and Purity Cleanser!

It's giveaway time! 5 lucky blog followers are each going to win a Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar and a Purity Cleanser! Philosophy's Renewed Hope In A Jar is the new and improved version of their iconic Hope In A Jar, and the Renewed version also happens to be pretty good, by the way (review on that to come soon). Philosophy's Purity Cleanser is also another of the brand's cult product, so these are some pretty great prizes! Just fill out your entries in the entry form below, and voila! Entered!


5 winners will win a Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar and Purity Cleanser!

Also, because I had a good reception to my previous Instagram giveaway, I'm also concurrently running an Instagram giveaway this time too over here on my Instagram account (basically, you can follow + regram/tag your friends if you're on Instagram for another chance to win). So the 5 sets of prizes will be given to followers who are either participating in this blog giveaway, or in the Instagram giveaway! (Of course, nothing's stopping you from doing both if you're so inclined to - you have better chances that way!)

And now for the standard rules: This giveaway is open to Singaporean residents. If you win, you have to collect your prize from Sephora Ion before 28 October, hence why this giveaway is only open to Singaporean residents (unless you have a nice friend who will do it for you). Lastly, this giveaway will end on 18 October midnight. It is going to run for a shorter period of time than my usual giveaway length, because you have until 28 October to collect the prize, and I want to ensure that people have enough time to do so! So don't wait to enter, and good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(Product provided for giveaway. I am not affiliated with/compensated by the company.)

Saturday, October 3, 2015

The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion Review and Ingredients Analysis

The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion SPF50+ PA+++ is the latest BB cushion to come from the brand, and it seems to have been advertised just for this hot weather we've been having - two of the key features being marketed are that it is waterproof, and has oil-control properties. That's gotta be good for hot weather, right?


The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion: Waterproof, and Long Lasting

The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion comes in two shades, V201 Apricot Beige, which is the lighter shade, and V203 Natural Beige, the darker shade. I have V203 Natural Beige with me, and although it isn't the best match for my skintone because it was too dark and orange, but it was the "default" shade that was sent to me. Which is a pity, because the Water Cushion does have a lot to recommend it! So if you see me looking kind of Oompa Loompa orange in my FOTD or swatches, don't worry, it's the result of a less-than-optimal shade match!

The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion Open 2
The Face Shop Oil Control Water Cushion: Perfect for hot weather and summer days

So, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's start the review - by taking a look at the formula and ingredients list!