Kiehl's Lip Balm Hue No. 30G SPF 15

Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 was the first tube of lip balm that gave me the smoothest, flake-free lips I know of. That, and the pear-scented one later, it was time to move on to the tinted balms. 

 The tube comes in the typical pharmaceutical look of Kiehl's. 

 Above, the active and inactive ingredients. 

The Lip Balm Hue No. 30G is a transparent red-orange (leaning on the redder side) balm that coats the lips with medium-thick consistency. It imparts obvious color and helps brighten up the face while keeping one's "look" casual. Its staying power is on the low side, but it hydrates the lips as it gives color to it. It is a good addition for those who do not like the texture of lipsticks, but would prefer to swipe on some color. I reach for this on days when a lipstick feels too formal and lipgloss a little too dressy. In a nutshell - it is an amplified lip balm.  

Clarins Gentle Night Cream

Clarins, Clarins, Clarins. We've come a long way. Hello, White Plus HP Essence? When 大姐 gave me her bottle many calendars back, it was my go-to essence/serum for years. While I've tested so many other pots and vials, you're still my favorite skincare brand. Most of your lines, such as the Hydra Quench and Multi-Active, have been great experiences. Except now that my skin has become sensitive and became acquainted to Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate and absolutely loved it, afterwhich it was only natural to venture into your Gentle Night Cream.

It comes in a white box with the peach color scheme of the Gentle Treatment Range. 

Trivia: J.C.C., or Jacques Courtin-Clarins, simply added Clarins to his last name when the brand became increasingly well-known. 

I like the satisfying, secure sound the peach cover makes when capped on the round 50ml bottle. 

Usage instructions.

Clarins is one of the few beauty companies that remains family-owned. I hope they continue to be such for a long, long time, because they have steered clear of chemicals more found in products of beauty conglomerates.  

Product description.

Quite an experience to push the airless pump bottle. 

The product is stark white and quite smooth and creamy. It's moisturizing without being overly oily/rich. 

Spread out, it dries down to a semi-matte finish. It is not a cream that one can use in the day, unless one has very dry skin. It seals in moisture throughout the night. It did not me break out, and gave no redness and irritation either.The nutty scent is quite comforting and dissipates in no time. While my skin was not especially supple or glowing in the morning, it did provide balanced moisture without any negative side effects. This is saying a lot coming from my mildly rosacea-c skin that reacts to almost anything. Overall, I would recommend it to sensitive to hypersensitive skin-types. 

The pamphlet.

Products under the Gentle Treatment Range. 

Ingredients list. 

M.A.C. Fluidline Eye-Liner Gel in Blacktrack and Dipdown

Oh, MAC, how must I think thee? You were my 19th birthday surprise -- an introduction to the world of makeup. You opened solace for dark times, a celebration for happier days, and a whole new perpective on beauty on the human face. Yet you disappoint me more often than not. But, how can I not turn back and revisit time and again?

I'm not new to Fluidline; it was the first gel liner I tried in shades Macroviolet and Rich Ground (Why [horror and amazement] do I still remember the shade names?). They were great, and I liked them better than Bobbi Brown's version. 

Top view.

Uncapped, here in their glass pots. 

Blacktrack top, Dipdown bottom: sooty dark black and deep brown. They are heavily, heavily pigmented and a brush's lightest stroke would deliver a clear line on the lids. Glides on easily with no tugging. Colors are subjective, but to me MAC's translation of black and brown here are just what I envisioned my black and brown liners to be. My only problem is, and this one's a dealbreaker, is they smudge onto my undereyes in no time, which didn't occur before with the other shades. They did seem to be harder though. Perhaps I should wait for these to harden more. In any case, if smudging is not a common problem for you and you take your liner seriously, I highly recommend these Fluidlines. 

Back of it. 

VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Face Cover 30

VMV Hypoallergenics is a local cosmetic brand known for its clean aesthetics and dermatological approach. I remember in the early 2000s when my sister would visit their clinic along Palanca. This brand is backed by real dermatologists. Last Christmas, I was glad to receive the Armada Face Cover 30 (thanks E). 

 Locally, VMV is quite well-known for their Armada sunblock line. 

It comes in a tube form container with flip top cover. 

A plus is it's fragrance-, PABA-, and preservative-free.

Just a repeat from the bottle. 

As always, it's advised to avoid the sun between 10AM to 4PM, but in the heat of the summer, it's best to stay out of it earlier in the morning and later in the evening. 

A study on ratings. 

More description.

Here it is, a light cream consistency that spreads transparently. 

This is a great sunblock in terms of sun protection and moisturization. My only problem with it is it's too oily for my combination skin. This would otherwise be perfect for those with normal and even better for dry skin. When I used it on the arms and legs in the early days of March on the beach when the sun was broiling, I must say the tan I got was minimal. 

Parting reminders. 

M.A.C. Prep+Prime Moisture Infusion

After an unsuccessful attempt with MAC's Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Moisturizer, I set my sights on MAC's latest birth of a serum, Prep+Prime Moisture Infusion. In Hong Kong's winter weather, this was recommended by MAC as the better serum to use as it keeps in moisture properly. 

Shiny black galactic cardboard box. 

I've never seen a 50ml serum before; usually they come in 30ml's. 

Application instructions.

One pump produces a whitish, transparent glob. 

Blended in. 

I would say this is an average serum. It's supposed to prep the skin for makeup functioning as a primer and serum in one, but again, the hybrid seems not to be working out. Somehow I need three to four pumps to moisturize my face, and even at that it doesn't leave my skin soft and supple. There is a slight rough texture still after this sinks in. Perhaps because it serves two opposite purposes that's why it functions oddly. Moisturizing and priming can be two totally separate steps. I top this off with Sunkiller's Kid's Milk, and as that sunscreen can be quite drying, the combination has not been the best for my skin. One plus is I didn't break out from this product. It is tolerable now, but not spectacular; I doubt I'd be purchasing again in the future. This serum/primer will probably work better for dry skin types.

Ingredients list. 

Pulpe De Vie Glossy Lip Balm and Pearly Moisturizing Body Milk

Last Christmas, I was introduced to Pulpe De Vie, a French organic brand with origins from the south of France (thank you 大姐 for these). I love the whimsical, cute packaging with the lovely colors and drawings. Sadly I threw the boxes away, but for a preview do check their website out. 

The Glossy Lip Balm comes in a transparent tube with a slanted applicator. 

It's a thicker consistency compared to most lip balms. I say the opacity it provides is more of a lipstick's. It comes in a single shade of reddish, rusty, orange brown that translates naturally on the lips. The slight glitters also keep it from looking too flat on the lips. It provides adequate moisture, but don't expect it to soften like a balm. It doesn't dry the lips out at all. 

Here is a swatch. 

The Pearly Moisturizing Body Milk comes in a white tube bottle. 

Their slogan, "my daily pinch of good mood," is something I can relate to when I look at their products. 

The pearly milk is a cream colored mixture that has the consistency of milk (looks good enough to drink!). It smells of grapefruits and leaves the skin lightly moisturized and sparkly. 

The sparkly bits are quite obvious upon close inspection, so I would leave this to be used for evening. 

Overall, Pulpe De Vie offers fun, high-quality products that I reach for time and again. The brand is available in Rustan's. 

Eco Cert-certified.