Kose Sekkisei White BB Cream Review & Swatches

The only item that I have ever tried from the Sekkisei line is the ever so famous, whitening lotion. Although I am not a big fan of that lotion due to its high alcohol content and smell, I am, however, a huge fan of this BB cream.

Let's first take a look at the product's claims, shall we ? (from Kose's website) 

- Hides blemishes to give even & natural coverage

- Brightens skin to look lit from within

- Lightweight texture spreads easily & smoothly

- Cares for skin with oriental plant extracts & UVA and UVB protection

- Time-saving, long-lasting, non-cakey, hydrating

- Mineral-oil free

My Skin Description: 

- dry: cheeks, chin & around the nose

- large pores

- pale complexion (Mac NC15-20, Chanel 10, Bobbi Brown Porcelain)

- yellow undertones

My thoughts ... 

Color Match: I purchased shade 01 and it matches my skin tone/undertone perfectly. Like all BB creams, the White BB cream does not come with an extensive shade range. Sekkisei only offers two shades: 01 & 02 (both of which are better suited for those with fair complexions). 

Coverage:
- one layer: light/medium coverage
- two layer: medium coverage
*very buildable*

Finish: I would say that Kose's description of the BB cream's finish is very accurate. It definitely brightens up the complexion for a lit from within look. This White BB cream is not one of those bases that stays feeling "wet" or "tacky" as if it would just slip and slide all over the place; therefore, when it dries down to a satiny finish on the skin, I usually don't find the need to set it with any powder.

Texture:
- creamy texture
- not runny at all 

Longevity: I usually know how well my foundation is lasting by looking at my blush. By the end of 8 hours, my blush still looks exactly the same as when I first applied it *thumbs up*. I did notice, though, that the area around my nose did start to slightly fade around 6 hours. Besides that, everything else looked perfect ! Definitely one of the longest wearing BB creams that I've tried.

Because I am currently living in Beijing, I always have to wear face masks to help filter the heavily polluted air. I find that this BB cream did not transfer at all onto my mask ! Keep in mind that I didn't even set my foundation when I first applied it ! Completely impressed ...

Scent: This BB cream smells EXACTLY like the Sekkisei whitening lotion but without the strong alcoholic smell. To me, this scent actually reminds me of the aerosol colour hairsprays that I used to use on Halloween when I was a little girl to put funky highlights all throughout my hair. Of course, this BB cream actually smells pleasant to some people versus how those colour hairsprays are just a complete no no. If I were to describe this scent, I would say it smells slightly musky and powdery. I'm not the biggest fan on how this BB cream smells, but because of the fact that it isn't too heavily fragranced and that the scent doesn't linger on the skin, it doesn't really bother me.

Overall: I would definitely recommend this BB cream for those with all skin-types ! Not only did it not emphasize any of the dry patches on my cheeks or around my "recently-popped-pimple", it also controlled my oily T-zone very well ! In addition, it covered the humongous pores around my T-zone beautifully. There is honestly nothing more that I can ask for from a BB cream.

[ Details ]

Sun protection: SPF 40 PA +++ (UVA + UVB protection)

size: 30g

shade: 01
price: 1825 yen

Hope this review was helpful ! 

Chansie

Chanel Camelia De Plumes Review and Swatches

Winter is here and we all know what that means ... holiday collections are out ! The one that I was the most excited about this year is Chanel's. Every year Chanel would come out with gorgeous powder compacts and the little collector in me can just never say no to them. 

Lets get to the review, shall we ? 

Colour: a shimmery, cool-toned champagne highlighter 

Texture: smooth and soft

Longevity: lasts me a good 6-8 hours 

Finish: This highlighting powder is quite pigmented and shimmery so a light sweep of product is enough for me to get a nice sheeny glow to my skin.  

Application: Because I wouldn't consider this highlighter as a subtle one at all, I recommend to only apply it on the tops of the cheeks or anywhere else on the skin that doesn't have a lot of texture or pores. I like to use a small tapered powder brush for this highlighter and it blends in the product so effortlessly into the skin. 

Overall: I believe Camelia De Plumes is a good highlighter but it may not be one thats suitable for everyone. If you're a collector or makeup lover like myself, I do recommend you picking this highlighter up as well. One of the reasons why this product is so unique to me is because of its colour. It almost looks both warm-toned and cool-toned at the same time ... 

For those who are looking for a natural, everyday, easy-to-use highlighter, this probably isn't the best option for you. Instead, I would recommend checking out Kevyn Aucoin's Candlelight, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders or Cle de Peau's Face Luminizers. 

[ Details ] 

size: 8g 

price: 540 HKD 

- limited edition 

Thanks for reading and I hope this review was helpful !

Chansie 

Sulwhasoo Voluminating Foundation Review & Photos

At first glance, I was quite confused about the design of this foundation; however, after playing with it for awhile, I've realized that it is basically a cushion foundation that comes with a sponge applicator that has "a handle". A fan of Sulwhasoo's Evenfair Perfecting Cushion, I had pretty high hopes for this foundation as well.

Sulwhasoo's product description:

A cream-type foundation formulated with Sulwhasoo Essential Firming Cream, to lift up your skin, while leaving it feeling light and comfortable all day. 

How to apply: 

Apply an appropriate amount and spread thinly over face using the puff as your regular foundation. Gently pat over the *U line once again ( *U line: The line that connects your eyes to the lips through the cheeks). 

My skin description: 

- dry: cheeks, chin & around the nose 

- oily: nose (after a few hours) 

- normal: forehead 

- large pores 

- pale complexion (Mac NC15-20, Chanel 10, Bobbi Brown Porcelain) 

- yellow undertones

My thoughts ... 

Color Match: Similar to Sulwhasoo's Perfecting Cushion's colour range, the colour selection for this foundation is very limited as it only comes in two fairly light shades: No.21 medium pink and No.23 medium beige. In addition to these two options, Sulwhasoo also offers No.C21 and No.C23 which are basically the same shades but with more coverage. The shade that I selected is No.C23 (a perfect colour match for my complexion). In my opinion, No.C23 for this foundation is almost exactly the same shade as No.21 in Sulwhasoo's Perfecting Cushion when applied onto the face. 

Coverage: 

- one layer: light coverage

- two layers: light-medium coverage
Despite the fact that I got No.C23 instead of No.23, I find that the coverage still leans on the lighter side; therefore, I wouldn't recommend this product for those who are looking for more high coverage foundations. 

Finish: The finish of this foundation is actually very similar to that of Sulwhasoo's Perfecting Cushion - both glowy and very natural looking; however, this foundation is slightly different in the sense that it doesn't help to minimize the look of my humongous pores. Because of this, I find that it is absolutely necessary for me to set the area around my nose with a powder to avoid accentuating my pores as this foundation does have a slight glow factor to it. 

Application: Sulwhasoo tells us to press the sponge into the plastic mesh of the foundation and then apply (with dabbing motions) onto the skin. To me, the sponge applicator is completely useless. It is stiff and hard, making it very difficult to blend the foundation around the nose, between the eyebrows, and underneath the eyes. Because I have to spend a lot of time just to be able to decently blend the foundation into my skin, my arm actually gets tired before I can even achieve the effect that I want. On top of that, I find that the sponge absorbs more product than it actually dispenses onto my face. Because of all these reasons, I personally prefer to just use a Beauty Blender for this foundation instead. I simply push the Beauty Blender into the plastic mesh and it picks up just the right amount of product for each "section" of my face. The finish on the skin looks more flawless AND it takes less time/effort. 

Longevity: Since this foundation does have a dewy finish, I really didn't have very high hopes for its longevity factor at all. For my skin type, I find that I would need to touch up with some powder on my oily T-zone approximately every ~3 hours. Although this foundation doesn't control oil production very well, it still manages to stay put on my face for a good 6 hours. 

Scent: 
- has a strong scent but not noticeable after applied on the face
- hints of citrus/floral/herb 

Overall: After experimenting with this foundation for quite some time, I believe that it is better suited for those with dry skin since it really does help to brighten up the complexion and doesn't cling or accentuate any dry flakes on the skin. Although this product does claim to help "lift" the skin, I haven't seen any noticeable changes to the overall "tone" of my face; however, I still believe that it is a good foundation for those with mature skins as it is quite moisturizing and doesn't settle and accentuate the fine lines underneath my eyes. For those with oily skin or with enlarged pores, I would suggest staying away from this foundation since it doesn't control oil production or minimize the look of pores very well. Packaging wise, I find that it isn't the most sanitary since it does require me to press my Beauty Blender onto the plastic mesh, apply to my face, and then press again onto the plastic mesh to get more product. In my opinion, the facial oil or dirt that may be on my Beauty Blender can easily come in contact with the product in the container and contaminate it. Because of this packaging, it might not the best choice for those who have acne on their face. 

If I ever had to choose between this and the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion, I would definitely choose the latter. The finish on the skin is very similar but the Perfecting Cushion helps to diminish the appearance of enlarged pores and is also more long lasting than the Voluminating Foundation. 

 

[ Details ] 

size: 30g 

price: 80 000 won 
shade: No.C23

Hope this review was helpful !

Chansie 

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation Review & Photos

Chantecaille's product description

An oil-free gel foundation that has the unique ability to transfer water into the skin without the use of any oil. The formula provides adjustable coverage (medium to full) thanks to light-reflective circular pigment that eases the appearance of flaws

- contains 60% charged water and seaweed

- protective field prevents water evaporation, blocks environmental oxidation 

- comes in 14 shades

My skin description: 

- dry: cheeks, chin & around the nose 

- oily: nose (after a few hours) 

- normal: forehead 

- large pores 

- pale complexion (Mac NC15-20, Chanel 10, Bobbi Brown Porcelain) 

- yellow undertones

My thoughts ... 

Color Match: Usually when I purchase a foundation, I like to choose one that is one or half a shade lighter than my skin tone because I find that a lot of foundations tend to oxidize on my face, making my complexion look a bit dirty and orange. The makeup artist at the Chantecaille counter ensured me that the Future Skin foundation doesn't oxidize at all and she was right ! The shade "Alabaster" matched my complexion perfectly :) 

Coverage: Although Chantecaille claims this foundation to be medium-full coverage, I think that it is only buildable to a medium coverage; however, I do agree with the claim that it helps to "ease the appearance of flaws" or in other words, helps to blur out my imperfection. Because of this, I find that the foundation actually doesn't need to be full coverage in order to make my skin look perfected. 

Finish:
- gives a natural glowy look
- completely undetectable on the skin
- doesn't emphasize dry patches
- minimizes the appearance of large pores

Texture: As described by Chantecaille, the Future Skin foundation is extremely lightweight on the skin even when I apply a few layers to build up the coverage. The gel-like texture makes it effortless to blend and meld the foundation into the skin. 

Application: The Future Skin foundation is honestly a fool-proof product. I've tried applying it with my fingers, a Beauty Blender and a brush and the finish looked amazing with every method. For more coverage, I recommend using a flattop foundation brush and for less coverage, I recommend using a Beauty Blender or just your fingers.

Longevity: For a dewy foundation, Future Skin's lasting powder is actually very impressive. I still remember wearing this foundation for over 11 hours and my complexion still look evened out at the end of the day. On top of that, my pores were still nicely covered and my face didn't look like a grease ball. Of course, the foundation didn't look like it was just freshly applied and my face wasn't completely oil free, but after so many hours, I really can't expect it to still look flawless. Despite how it faded around my nose and how my T-zone got slightly oily, it still looked great overall.

Scent:
- no scent

Overall: The part that I love about this foundation the most is that it looks incredibly natural on the skin. The best way to describe the finish would be that it looks like I have naturally good skin and that I just have a light moisturizer on. Not only does it help blur out my imperfections, but it also helps to smooth out the look of my skin. On top of that, I find that it continues to stay looking fresh throughout the day even when I forget to touch up my T-zone sometimes. In my opinion, this is one of those foundations that can truly suit people of all skin types !

[ Details ] 

size: 30g

price: 75 USD

shade: Alabaster

Hope this helps ! :)

Chansie 

Sulwhasoo Evenfair Perfecting Cushion Review & Swatches

I finally jumped on the cushion base makeup bandwagon and tried out the Sulwhashoo Perfecting Cushion ! :) The shade I bought is No.13, light pink.

Let's start off with the product's claims, shall we? 

- flawless and smooth skin for a long time
- promotes skin resilience
- moisturized skin all day long
- anti-wrinkle & whitening
- SPF 50+ PA+++

How to use (from Sulwhasoo website) ...

Use a puff to release an appropriate amount and pat over face as your regular foundation. Apply more on areas with flaws for flawless skin expression. 

My skin description: 

- dry: cheeks, chin & around the nose 

- oily: nose (after a few hours) 

- normal: forehead 

- large pores 

- pale complexion (Mac NC15-20, Chanel 10, Bobbi Brown Porcelain) 

- yellow undertones 

My thoughts ... 

Color Match: Like with any other BB cream or foundation from Korea, the colour selection for the Sulwhasoo cushion is very limited and, in my opinion, quite confusing. Because my skin is quite fair, I was automatically drawn to the No.13; however, after seeing that the shade is called "light pink", I was a bit hesitant to try it out as I do have yellow undertones in my skin. Despite the ever so slightly pink undertone of No.13, I do believe that it is a pretty good match for my current complexion. 

** color range: No.13, No. 21, No.23, No.25 **

Coverage: 

- one layer: light to medium coverage

- two layer: solid medium coverage

Finish: This foundation gives a really natural growly finish to the skin and not the "wet" dewy skin look that some Korean pop stars have in the advertisements. Usually when my base makeup is glowy, I tend to set the area around my nose with a powder because I find that the dewiness actually accentuates the look of my large pores; however, with this product, I find that the look of my pores are minimized quite nicely without any powder ! 

Application: The instructions say to use the sponge to pat all over the face but I find that the simple patting motion doesn't help blend and meld the product into my skin. Instead, I like to slowly pressed the sponge all across my face. Not only do I find that the pressing motion helps make the foundation look more natural, but it also takes less time and effort to apply one full layer evenly on my face. 

Longevity: Undoubtedly, the Sulwhasoo Evenfair Perfecting Cushion is one of the longest wearing foundations that I have ever tried. Not only do I not need a powder to set my base makeup in the morning, but I also find that I do not need to touch up my foundation at all throughout the day. Granted, I do get slightly shiny on my nose but I find that the "shiny-ness" that I get from this foundation doesn't make my skin look greasy or oily.

Scent:
- herbal-ly & minty
** scent does not linger on the skin ** 

Overall: The Sulwhasoo Evenfair Perfecting Cushion has definitely set the standards high for not only cushion foundations/BB creams but also for any base makeup in general. Because my friend has oily-combindation skin and she still loves this product just as much as I do, it truly shows how good of a product this cushion foundation really is. Although it is quite pricey, I am pretty confident to say that it won't be a disappointment as long as you can find a decent colour match. It is convenient, long lasting and simply beautiful on the skin. What more can you ask for from a foundation, right ? :)

[ Details ]

size: 15g x 2 (one refill) 

price: 60,000 won 

Hope this was helpful !

Chansie 

Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Review

"Blessed' with super dry skin, I am usually very picky when it comes to my facial cleansers. I find that the majority of ones that I have tried leaves my skin feeling tight and dry as if it was on the verge of cracking. With the Suisai Beauty Clear Powder, I do not get this feeling at all.

Here are the product's claims ...

- contains 2 enzymes (protease & lipase) to break down excess sebum & dead skin cells 

- hydrates while cleansing the skin

- brighter & smoother skin

- smaller pores 

- fragrance & colour free

My thoughts ... 

I understand that some people prefer to use cleansers that leave their skin feeling squeaky clean but in my opinion, that is simply too harsh for the delicate skin on our face. The Beauty Clear Powder not only helps to retain the moisture in my skin, but it also leaves my skin feeling clean and comfortable.

The reason why this is my favourite facial cleanser is simply because it (literally) makes my face feel baby soft. Despite sometimes having some pimples and dry spots here and there on my face, my skin immediately feels flawless to the touch after using this. It is as if the top layer of the skin is washed away and I'm left with a completely new layer of skin. Although the miraculous "baby soft skin" effect of this product isn't long lasting, it has undoubtedly helped my pores look smaller and my skin feel/look smoother. On top of that, I have noticed that my skin looks brighter and more even-toned. A major bonus with this product is that I no longer need to exfoliate my face as often. Because of these reasons, I love the product enough to continue using and, most likely, repurchasing it.

I do want to point out that this cleanser isn't one that would be able to remove my base makeup. I am a believer that removing my makeup is one step of my skincare regime, and cleansing my face is another; thus, I always remember to take off all my makeup before I use my facial cleanser. Not only do I feel more confident that I have zero traces of makeup left on my face, but I also feel like by doing so, I am really allowing the cleanser to deep clean my pores without all the makeup blocking it from doing its job.

The Suisai Beauty Clear Powder is individually package with just the right amount of product packed in each little container. Although it isn't very environmentally friendly, the packaging does make it very travel friendly. A downside to the packaging is that it is quite the hassle to always remember to throw away the little packets after using them. Because of this, I usually have a pile of these little containers inside my shower ...

All in all, would I recommend this product ? Absolutely. :)

Details

size: 0.4g x 32 packets
price: 2000 yen

Thanks for reading !

Chansie

Nivea In Shower Body Moisturizer

I was quite intrigued by this Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturizer when I first saw it at Watson's in Hong Kong. We put conditioner in our hair when we shower, so why not put conditioner on our bodies as well ? It only makes sense ...

Having moderately dry skin, I was immediately drawn to the dry skin formula versus the whitening one for those with dull skin.

Here are the product's claims:

- leaves no residue on towels
- quickly absorbed by wet skin
- leaves a silky soft skin feeling after stepping out of the shower
- no need for additional body lotion afterwards

Instructions:

1. Use your normal shower product and rinse off
2. Apply this In-Shower Body Moisturizer on wet skin while still in the shower
3. Rinse off
4. Dry yourself, get dressed and go.

My thoughts ... 

I usually use twice the amount of the Nivea In Shower Body Moisturizer on my body as I do for my usual body wash. Because of this, I do expect that it will run out pretty quickly if I were to use it everyday. I agree with Nivea that it doesn't leave any residue on my towels nor does it leave a sticky feeling on my skin afterwards; however, I find that this product doesn't exactly leave a "silky soft skin feeling" either. I would describe the feeling to lean more on the "squeaky-moisturized" side than on the "silky soft" side. I know "squeaky-moisturized" may sound a bit confusing but I can't seem to find another way to describe that feeling. 

This moisturized feeling also isn't very long lasting too. After an hour or so, I find that the side of my body that I used the In Shower Body Moisturizer on to be just a bit more moisturized than the side that I didn't use it on. A tad bit disappointing I must say ... 

During the hotter months, I find that this is a decent product to use just to add that little boost of moisture to the skin (especially for those busy mornings where we just don't have enough time to lather ourselves in lotion and to wait for it to sink in). I also find it a decent product for those who live in humid areas who just want that extra kick of moisture to their skin. 

During the colder months (and for those who have dry skin), on the other hand, I find this product to be unnecessary. It definitely won't give you the moisture that you're looking for so you would most likely have to follow up with another body moisturizer; thus, I find that applying this product in the shower would just be a waste of time and effort. 

I have tried to use this body moisturizer on dry skin and I actually prefer to use it on wet skin instead. I find that it is extremely sticky and thick when you first apply it; however, after a few minutes, it does sink in, leaving your skin feeling smooth and moisturized. The only downside is that it is very heavily scented (gives me a huge headache). Because it is meant to be used in the shower where it is diluted with water, it is no surprise to me that it is extremely thick and concentrated. Since our skin is our biggest organ, I prefer to use body moisturizers that are paraben and fragrance free when applying on dry skin. After all, whatever we apply on our skin does go into our blood streams. I know that this Nivea In Shower Body Moisturizer is definitely not fragrance free and probably not paraben free but because the majority of it does get washed off, I am not as picky with the ingredients in this case. 

I admit that I had some pretty high hopes for this product. I wouldn't necessarily say that I am disappointed but it really didn't live up to my expectations. 

Details:

size: 400 mL

price: 49.90 HKD

I hope my thoughts on this product helped out some of you! If you have any questions, please ask away ! :)

Chansie

Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows (Pale Barley & Rosewood) Review & Swatches

My first ever purchases from Burberry's makeup line: the ever so famous Pale Barley and Rosewood Sheer Eyeshadows.

(Pale Barley)

To me, Pale Barley is a cool-toned, pale cappuccino colour with gold shimmers while Rosewood is a classic taupe. Both of which have a super flattering metallic finish. The colour range for Burberry's eyeshadows are probably not as colourful and extensive as that of MAC or Urban Decay's, but it is their texture that makes them HG products to me. They are honestly everything that I look for in a shadow: creamy, blendable, silky, soft ... (and the list goes on).

(Rosewood)

One of the comments that I often hear others say about these shadows is that they aren't as pigmented as the typical shadows out there. But, as stated in the name (Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows), they were formulated to be more on the sheer side. That being said, they are definitely buildable ! As always, I wear a primer underneath my shadows and I experienced no fading or creasing with these ones at all.

The way that Pale Barley and Rosewood blend into my skin is just amazing. Their formulas somehow allow them to look seamless on my lids. A fool proof product for sure.

After my experience with these two shadows, my Burberry collection will definitely continue to grow :)

[ Summary ] 
price: HKD 250
net weight: 2.5g 0.088 oz
color: pale cappuccino (PB), taupe (R)
finish: metallic
texture: creamy, soft
pigmentation: sheer but buildable

Hope this was helpful !

Chansie

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss and Blush - Review and Swatches

Happy Thursday everyone !

Since many of my lovely friends on Instagram seem to be interested in the YSL Baby Doll Kiss and Blush, I decided to make a brief post on them. I hope it will be helpful to some of you !

Yves Saint Laurent claims this to be a versatile 2 in 1 product that can be used on both the cheeks as well on as the lips. At first, I was quite skeptical about its "duo-purpose" claim; however, after experimenting with it for a few more times, I have to say that I am extremely impressed with how it performs. 

~ As a Blush ~ 

With its lovely mousse-like texture, the Baby Doll Kiss and Blush blends out effortlessly and seamlessly on the cheeks without any uneven patchiness. I recommend that you only start off with two small dots on the cheeks and then add more until you achieve your desired effect. Not only would this technique prevent you from overdoing your blush since it is extremely pigmented, but it would also give you more time to blend out evenly before it dries up and becomes blotchy. As a blush, it is definitely considered long-lasting because once it sets on the cheeks, it looks and lasts just like a cheek stain. Depending on how bold the shade is, the staining effect does vary. Nonetheless, they do perform beautifully as cheek stains/blushes.   

~ As a lipstick (preferred way) ~

My favourite part about this product as a lipstick is that it does not emphasize my chapped lips at all. In fact, the formula seems to be able to blur out all my imperfections to make my lips look and feel unbelievably smooth and moisturized; however, it is also because of its formula that it does transfer and fade easily throughout the day (definitely not one that would survive its way through a meal).

Another pro about this product is that with just one application, you can easily achieve full colour on the lips (as shown below). Not to mention that it can also act as a lip stain if you only apply a few dots on the lips and then blend out. As expected, I find that the bolder shades in the range have a greater staining power compared to that of the lighter/more natural shades. Because of this, I do recommend using a lip liner when using the bolder colours to prevent bleeding and staining/smudging on the skin around the lip area.

~ Applicator ~

- firm yet flexible enough to allow for easy application
- slightly pointed applicator good for outlining the lips
- holds the perfect amount of product for one application

      

~ Final Verdict ~

These Baby Doll Kiss and Blushes are some of my favourite lip products just because they feel incredibly comfortable on the lips and are some of the few lipsticks that can actually hide the lines and dryness on my lips. If the price of this product doesn't scare you away, I would say go for it !

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer them :)

[ Details ]

price: 40 USD 

size: 0.33 fl. oz. 10 mL 

As always, thanks so much for reading and I hope you have a wonderful day !

Chansie

Yves Saint Laurent Couture Palette Review & Swatches - Parisienne & Palette Bleus Lumiere

Yves Saint Laurent recently released a new addition to their eyeshadow collection: the Couture Palette. I have a soft spot for pink eyeshadows so I picked up "Parisienne #7" and of course, the limited edition "Palette Bleus Lumiere" that was released as a part of the 2014 summer collection.

YSL separated its palettes into 5 sections with each section designed for a different purpose:
- top left: base
- top right: highlighter
- bottom left & right & middle: colours

Parisienne #7 (permanent)
Since I am a fan of the Naked 3 palette, it is no surprise that this has become one of my favourite eyeshadow palettes. One downside that I find with the Naked 3 is that most of the colours are quite warm-toned and dark. Because of this, it can look a bit overdone for my casual makeup days. Personally, I find that Parisienne, on the other hand, has softer and more wearable shades.

One aspect that I really like about this palette is that it is very versatile. For a neutral eye, I can just simply disregard the two bottom pinky shades and only use the top neutral colours. For a romantic eye, I use the light pink as my base colour (the YSL makeup artist looked amazing when she used the palette this way).

All five shades are perfectly pigmented and smooth. The four outer colours have a metallic finish, which can look quite sparkly under natural light, and the middle shade is semi matte (has a tiny amount of shimmer in it but nothing very noticeable). With both shimmer and matte finishes, Parisienne does make a very nice complete palette.

Palette Bleus Lumiere (limited edition)
Between the two palettes, I do prefer Parisienne over Bleus Lumiere. The colours in this palette is undoubtedly very pretty and summer appropriate; however, I find that the bottom left and middle shade don't apply as smoothly as the other three shades (a bit patchy in my opinion). This may be because their finishes do lean more on the matte side rather than the metallic side that the other ones have.

Being left with only three metallic, colourful shades that I like, I am not able to create a complete eye look. In my opinion, I would skip this limited edition palette and pick one from the permanent line instead.

Overall

Despite how soft and finely milled these eyeshadows are, I find that I get absolutely no fallout when I apply them onto my lids. They are pigmented, smooth (except for the two bottom ones in the Bleus Lumiere) and the colour range of this Couture Palette line is quite extensive. Lots of thumbs up from me ! :)

(top left, top right, bottom right, bottom left, middle)

(top left, top right, bottom right, bottom left, middle)

[ Details ]
price: HKD 585 (permanent), HKD 595 (limited edition)
net weight: 5 g 0.18 oz

Hope this was helpful !

Chansie