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. 

Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Pressed Mineral Powder in Warm Silk

Since I came across Jane Iredale in makeup school, I have been very curious about the brand. Jane Iredale is known for being the first brand to offer mineral-based cosmetics, touting its popular slogan, "the skin care makeup." Even my dermatologist only recommends this line for my hypersensitive skin.

It usually retails for an arm and a leg, but happily I came across its warehouse sale and got it for a good 40% off. This pressed powder foundation contains 9.9g and offers SPF 20 with UVA and UVB filters. 

The shade matched for me: Warm Silk, which is described as an almost universal shade on their website. 

The sleek, matte gold compact is barely an inch thick. It clasps on and off with the help of a tiny round magnet. The packaging has considerable weight, and while it is marketed as a luxury product, it has an earthy quality that well reflects its "natural" roots. 

The shade up close. I quite like the artful "i."

It comes with a flat puff that is not very useful (not pictured) and a plastic separator. The standard mirror is present. 

The back.

This foundation in particular is popular with The Skin Cancer Foundation.

The ingredients are made up of mineral components, truly a confirmation of their natural origin. I had high hopes for this foundation because of the excellent reviews on Makeupalley. I found that it does not irritate my skin -- meaning no red blotches or breakouts after use. The shade Warm Silk is also a good match for my skin tone. My gripes are probably longer. On its own, without the help of an oil-controlling primer, it does nothing to control the oilies (I was told this pressed type is the one recommended for oily to combination skin). So, be warned, and whip up the primer. It is not the easiest pressed powder foundation to blend on to skin. My only comparisons would be Japanese brands RMK and Lunasol, which are very easy to apply. However, since Jane Iredale PurePressed Base hardly contains any synthetic ingredients, that part can be overlooked. The key is to apply the product little by little, building it up slowly, otherwise piling it all at once leaves a caked up face. It does take a while to build up coverage, but it happens. It also does not have the best pore-concealing abilities, but again, that must be a primer's function.

It is recommended to use a hydration spray to set it.

Instructions on how to apply. 

Jane Iredale's Handi Brush is best paired with this pressed powder foundation, however, it is out of stock in Manila, and I couldn't pin it down in Hong Kong either.

Above is what the Handi Brush looks like. Overall, it is a good mineral powder experience, and I would probably continue using it, but I would not buy again because it can be quite a fuss to use. I would not want to keep brushing product on sensitive skin because it irritates the epidermis further. The finished look it gives is acceptable, but not very exceptional. For its retail price, I would gladly try other brands. 

As they were clearing out most of the products, the kind SA gave me freebies!

Clockwise from left is PurePressed Eyeshadow in Blue Moon, which makes an excellent liner and contour color. It has a very nice texture. The sample loose powder in Radiant is great as a blusher, adding subtle color and contouring the cheek area nicely. I quite like the loose powder texture more than the PurePressed Base. Lipglosses in Blackcurrant and Cosmos -- good color payoff, but I do not like the minty sensation and the sticky texture; the colors are not very flattering on my skin tone, but Cosmos would look great for ivory beauties and Blackcurrant would be phenomenal for dusky ladies. 

Swatches of the above. 

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm Collection

Last Christmas I was surprised by my sisters with Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm Collection (thank you 大姐 and 三姐). The Yuletide-themed box features red balls and ribbons.  

It contains the famous Beauty Flash Balm, Instant Definition Mascara in 01 Intense Black, and Natural Lip Perfector in 01 Rose Shimmer. 

The three products are meant to bring instant results into one's beauty regime. 

Opening . . . the box reveals a gold cosmetics case. 

The box states it is made of recycled materials. Eco-friendly is the way to go.

The case features an oval shape made of soft material. It is laterally roomy but may not easily keep tall bottles or bulkier products. These three wonders fit perfectly inside.  

The Beauty Flash Balm comes in its original 50ml size, while the Instant Definition Mascara and Natural Lip Perfector come in 3ml and 5ml sample sizes respectively. 

Beauty Flash comes sealed hygienically with a foil on the opening. This product has actually been around for a long time and is one of Clarins' classic releases. I remember trying this for the first time many years ago and loved the effect it gave. The product comes out as a peachy-flesh color which disappears into the skin when applied. It has a plant-based scent which lingers for a few minutes and dissipates. I find this product to have the best effects when used sparingly. Too much and the skin looks oily and tired. When the perfect amount is used (usually a small squirt) it really does its magic of making the skin look brighter and more revitalized. It can even work as a primer for normal/dry skin types. I personally use it on its own as it is already a little too heavy for me to top up with foundation or powder. I like the glow it gives but I don't use it every day as it has a tendency to clog pores. 

Above the pamphlet introduces two ways of using this product -- as a booster or as a mask. I haven't really tried using this as a mask as this method comes across as too rich for my skin type. 

The Instant Definition Mascara comes in a black tube with a gold metallic cap. 

The pigments in this mascara produces an inky black effect when applied to the lashes. 

The brush has short bristles and tapers to a narrow tip. I find this kind of tip helps reach into the inner lashes more easily. The best way to apply this mascara is to layer when it has slightly dried. It can be a bit too heavy for my sparse lashes, so I only use minimal coatings. Sometimes when I use too much it makes my lashes clump together. However, at the right amount it separates the lashes and gives a dark, smokey effect that is very attractive. It doesn't have curling properties so an eyelash curler is best paired with this product. Overall, this is a mascara that needs an expert hand, and not really one that is easy to use on an everyday basis. It does "dress" the eyes in an instant by giving it a sooty look. 

The Natural Lip Perfector comes in a pink tube befitting its Rose Shimmer shade. The golden cap adds a nice elegant touch to the look. 

Above is the applicator in pristine condition. The white fuzzy-textured tip gives way to a pink shade. This lip product is not really a lip gloss or a balm. It comes out as a pinkish gel-type liquid that coats the lips subtly with color and understated shine. The best part is it moisturizes the lips and makes it healthy-looking. I feel my lips are nourished throughout the time I wear this. There are two other shades in Apricot and Nude Shimmer, which I would definitely look into. This product is probably my favorite lip product of all time because it is practical and satisfies my beauty-related needs at the same time (not to mention the wonderful scent that accompanies it). 

The Instant Light series continues above. 

Ingredients for Beauty Flash Balm. 

Ingredients for Natural Lip Perfector and Instant Definition Mascara. 

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Lip Gloss in Shell Pink

Never have I heard of the cosmetic brand Koh Gen Do until one fine day when I saw its poster on the windows of Beauty Bar -- clearly depicting cinema/high-definition products but with a Japanese touch. It's hard enough to resist anything Japanese-makeup related, but combined with the novel concept of HD (high definition/cinematic makeup), which I've never seen being marketed in other Japanese brands before, it certainly caught my attention. Some more research revealed that Koh Gen Do is a full-fledged brand with complete makeup and skincare products up its sleeves. It seems to be more established in the United States more than any other country. Here is an excerpt from the official website:

It is most famous for their cleansing water, base makeup / foundation, concealers, and lip glosses. After discussing the brand with the SA, she revealed that Koh Gen Do just launched in Manila on November 2011. 

All the Lip Glosses looked delicious, but in the end I settled for the shade in Shell Pink. 

It comes in a white glossy carton that is a tad plain but the quality is evident (a cosmetic trait that is very Japanese). The product name includes "Maifanshi" (which sounds Chinese in my opinion but I'm sure it's Japanese). I'm not quite sure what it means.

The tube is made of soft clear plastic while the black screw cap is also plastic but of a harder sort.

It contains 7g of product which is quite a lot for this is a thick gloss and a little goes a long way. I like the clear packaging because it allows me to see the color right away at the same time I know how much product is left.

The applicator is also made of plastic and is slanted. Plastic applicators are easier to clean therefore less prone to bacteria, which is another plus. The slanted tip (reminds me of Lancome's Juicy Tubes) is another positive attribute because it allows precise application. The tiny hole helps controls product release with a few squirts, which is perfect given the lip gloss' thick texture.

Above is a swatch of Shell Pink. It looks like coral pink veering on the pinker side against skin. But on the lips it looks a lot more transparent with just a hint of pink. It gives off a very natural shade with high-shine finish. The gloss gives lips a healthy, plump look. The nourishing effect of this lip gloss is also amazing. Dryness on my lips are erased with this gloss on; I do not even need to apply a lip balm beforehand. This is like a treatment lip product with the benefit of gloss.

There are other shades available such as Blush Pink, Juicy Beige, and Champagne if I'm not mistaken. Beauty Bar doesn't carry all the colors available on Koh Gen Doh's website. Incidentally, this lip gloss range won Essence magazine's 2011 Beauty Awards :)

 

Ingredients list above for those who can read Japanese. Koh Gen Do really surprised me with this lip gloss. It's rare for me to fall in love with the first product I try from brands I've never heard about, but the Maifanshi Lip Gloss is one such gem. At P1,050 a pop I think the price is reasonable for the the very high quality of this product. For those who desire natural-looking lip gloss combined with treatment benefits, I definitely recommend this! 

Neal's Yard Remedies Lip Gloss

Neal's Yard Remedies is an English organic skincare brand that I chanced upon during my visit to Oxford earlier in the year. The brand has a whole range of products ranging from face, body, hair, mother & baby care, aromatherapy, even products for men. Being the beauty junkie, I jumped straight to their cosmetic offering. 

Their makeup collection is quite small consisting of lip glosses, eye pencil liners, and eye shadows in loose powder form. I tried two of their lip glosses, Rosehip and Mulberry. It says that these glosses do not contain parabens, silicones, or carmines. The brand is marketing its products heavily on its organic and therapeutic qualities. 

You can see the consistency is very different between the two products. Rosehip is far more liquid than Mulberry. In fact, it is dripping out of the container each time I open it. Mulberry is thicker and pastier in texture. Both contain slight shimmers that are not noticeable on the lips. Rosehip is a cheerful bright red shade. It applies transparent but the color is still evident. It has a shiny effect on the lips. Mulberry, on the other hand, is very pigmented. A little goes a long way with this shade, and it looks like a cross between a lipstick and gloss when put on. Almost opaque, it has none of the glassy finish of Rosehip. It is a muted plum shade which is close to my natural lip color.

They both sport slanted tips with screw-cap covers. They're 15ml for £9.50 each which is not bad at all. I'm actually having a hard time finishing these up. Overall, I prefer Mulberry because it is an easier color to wear, and more importantly, because it feels more comfortable on the lips and stays on longer owing to its texture. Rosehip can oftentimes feel like an oil slick on the lips. However, it is still a useful shade for a "casual" red look. Because it is not matte, or overly sheer, it provides the perfect balance of shade and consistency which make it an easy red to wear.