YSL Matt Touch

Not all that glitters is gold. But all sparkly stuff still draw me. YSL's opulent gold packaging notwithstanding. I've been searching for the perfect bases -- primers included. High praises for Yves' Matt Touch yet again sent me bartering my monies for results.

It was hard to take a proper picture because the packaging is made of ultra-reflective golden cardboard. Excuse the dark angle. 

It used to come in a range of shades; now it comes in a single transparent shade, hence the opaque packaging whence before it was see-through. The 30ml tube is the epitome of elegant discretion. 

It promises what I'm looking for -- smoothes, mattifies, prolongs foundation. 

Open me. 

Read above. 

The opening came sealed in foil; now removed. The design is quite helpful in managing the amount of product to be dispensed.

Out comes a waxy substance, the shade almost like the first extracts of boiled rice. It really just spreads as a colorless primer. 

True it feels soft on skin when applied. But I guess that's the quick happy ending for me. It seems to just sit on top of my skin, much like Smashbox's famous primer. I was looking forward to its oil-controlling abilities, but sadly paired with my RMK Stick Foundation, or even Nars Loose Powder, it didn't take two hours before the natural oils surfaced. It somehow blurred pores, but it was definitely not the soft-focus type of concealment. At the end of the day, my pores are clogged and my foundation seems to be gone and everywhere at the same time (is that even possible?).

This is one of those products that works for most but for some twist of fate does not for me.

Ingredients list. 

The back of it. 

MAC Prep+Prime Face Protect SPF 50 PA++

A never-ending quest for the right sunscreen that fits the bill led me to the rather unassuming Face Protect SPF 50 PA++ from MAC Prep+Prime.

It comes in a shiny black box with specks of glitter - dark, dreamy, and exciting. 

The tube is similarly sleek and I see can cater to both sexes. 

Sealed for your protection.

Squeezed out it is a white glob of a light cream consistency. The formula is superb -- not sticky and strangely calming to my intolerant skin. This product is also very good at oil control. Paired with a serum underneath, it kept my face matte and clean-looking the whole day, with only a few oils breaking through the nose area. It didn't break me out nor cause any clogged pore. As a bonus, it doesn't even need a separate makeup remover to take off. 

Spread out it dries to an invisible soft matte finish. Overall, an excellent sunscreen and primer that I would recommend to all, even to those with very sensitive skin. 

Application instructions. 

One bottle lasted me over three months. It can be quite tricky to squeeze out the last bits of product but it's nothing that a good pair of scissors can't handle.

Standing up.

Mindless me threw away the container after it was finished (arg!). Exchange three empty MAC containers for a lipstick. 

They print out the date of manufacture in clear numbers now. 

Ingredients list.

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. 

Lunasol Eyelid Base (N) in 02 Light

Version 1.0 of Lunasol's eyelid base was my very first introduction to eyelid bases. Back then, the idea of a separate primer for the eyelids was a foreign concept. I didn't know eye bases make such difference to the finish of eye makeup until the popular Lunasol Eyelid Base (which held the top three spot in cosme.net's annual ranking for consecutive years), and there was no turning back. Would you know that the first review on the original Lunasol Eyelid Base on Makeupalley in early 2008 (has it been almost 4 years already?) was by me? : ) I've tried a few brands in between (Urban Decay; I Nuovi), but neither came close to Lunasol. I loved it then and still do so today.

The description from the brand website says:

A makeup base for eyelids that removes dullness and enhances the coloration and durability of eye shadow.
A brighter color has been added to the existing basic colors. Choose a color depending on the skin tones and the daily makeup. Contains beauty essence ingredients.

The newly revamped Lunasol Eyelid Base (N) is a tiny 2.5 g package but it packs a punch. It comes in Lunasol's signature bronze packaging. The original version contained 2.2 g of product and was available in only one shade. Now, the website shows two new shades in 01 Neutral and 02 Light. In Rustan's Kanebo counter, they also had a darker shade in 03 Dark. They are still selling the original eyelid base which comes in only one color, called simply Lunasol Eyelid Base. Note that 01 Neutral shade of the new version is not similar to sole shade available to the old version.

Product details on the back carton.

The Japanese' attention to detail: product names printed on many sides of the packaging.

Open up! The packaging has a smooth, mirror-like surface. If I remember correctly, the old version had Lunasol's ribbon detailing with a matte finish. This tiny little pan fits into my palm with a lot of space left.

The mirror installed in the pan is a very nice touch. 02 Light looks like a peachy beige.

A different angle shows the eyelid base in a brighter shade.

Above is a light swatch -- the amount I would use on one eyelid. Here the "lightness" of the shade is more apparent. It is definitely lighter and less neutral than the original version in my memory.

It blends in seamlessly with a natural highlighting effect. My eyelids look brighter and more refreshed. The trick is to use just a dab of product, because it is extremely emollient and pigmented. A little more would result to creasing, which is the opposite of what this product aims to do. With the right amount of product applied, eye shadows stay put for long and apply more vibrant and true to their colors. The best part is I truly feel the nourishing effects of this base. It is a gentle product for the delicate eye area. There is a certain moisture and slip to it which make the eyelids feel protected. This can also be used on its own just to even out skin discolorations around the eye area. I've noticed my eyelids getting darker when stressed out, and while the neutral shade of the original version worked fine with me when life was less hectic, I find shade 02 Light to suit the tired skin tone I have around the eyes now. 

As expected with Lunasol, the same shiny bronze feature extends even to the bottom part of the pan. 

The ingredients list is found above. Fans of Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faces Shadow Insurance, Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base probably wouldn't like the creamy consistency of Lunasol Eyelid Base. Similarly, I wouldn't go for the texture of the above three, which I would classify in a similar category. Simply put, Kanebo Lunasol's eyelid bases are by far the best eyeshadow base/primer I've tried.

I Nuovi Eyebase Eyeshadow Perfecting Base

I Nuovi is one brand in Sasa that always catches my interest. It was only after reading a couple good reviews of its eyeshadow base when I finally asked my sister to help me pick it up on her last trip to Hong Kong.

By far I've only tried two eyeshadow bases; while Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion didn't work for me, I found Lunasol's Eyelid Base exceptional. I didn't want to splurge on another pan of it because there is a reformulation due for release this autumn. I figured the next best thing is to try out I Nuovi's "eyeshadow perfecting base."

The product, simply called Eyebase, comes in a plain nude-colored, no-frills tube with a screw-cap cover. 

The Eyebase contains a generous 15ml of product, which is quite a lot for an eyeshadow base. The pointed tip is also helpful in controlling the amount of product to be dispensed.

It is light beige with a gel-type texture. I can't imagine when this will run out since just a dab is already enough to prep the eyelids. 

It feels a little bit gooey when spread out. I guess that sticky characteristic is what helps eyeshadows adhere to it. 
It dries to a matte, clear finish. It doesn't make eyeshadows "pop" or look more vibrant the way Lunasol Eyelid Base does, but its transparency keeps the color of eyeshadows true. This base also keeps my eyeshadows in place for about 12 hours, which is really impressive.

I didn't experience any irritation using this product. I am also glad that it's fragrance-free.

 And that it doesn't contain any animal products.

It is interesting to note that this Italian product was formulated and manufactured in Japan. Below is the ingredient list.

It's priced at HK$175, which isn't really cheap, but it does its job and it does contain a lot of product. Overall, I am happy with this purchase and wouldn't mind recommending this to anyone who wants to extend the wear of their eyeshadows.