Product Review: Avène Thermal Spring Water

At a Glance:
Price: US$16 / RM55
Website: Aveneusa.com
Weight: 300ml
Made in: France
Likes: Soothes skin, lessens blackheads, refreshing!! :D
Gripes: None!!
Repurchase: Yes!!
Jenn's Rating: 5 Stars!! HG Stuff!! :D


Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Nitrogen.

Product Description:

Avène Thermal Spring Water comes from Avène-les-Bains thermal spring in France which was declared to be of public benefit in dermatology in France, in 1874. This thermal spring water's unique and constant composition gives it soothing and softening properties for sensitive skin. This has been acknowledged by numerous scientific studies. Avène thermal spring water is used for many skin conditions at Avène Dermatological Hydrotherapy Center in France. Tested by dermatologists, it is particularly suitable as essential care for sensitive, hypersensitive and allergic skin.

Actual Product Pic:



Texture & Scent:
This facial spray feels just like spraying water on your face! lol!! Once on your skin, it feels refreshing and soothing at the same time. This doesn't have a scent.

Packaging:


This facial spray comes in a tin aerosol spray can. Here's the outlet:



Price & Availability:
This facial spray is priced at RM55 / US$16 for a 300ml spray bottle. There're also the 50ml and 150ml ones available, and those go for RM19 and RM39 each respectively. This should be available at most Watsons / Guardian / Pharmacies. Girls in the US can buy it off Drugstore.com too! :)


My $0.02:

I never bought the hype about this spray until i tried it out myself (ok, scream Doubting Thomas at me already!! haha!! :P). I mean, just how GOOD would WATER be right?

I was WRONG! This soothes my skin like no other, especially after shaving / plucking sessions where the skin's irritated and sore! And the most miraculous part of this? After using this religiously twice a day before moisturizer, i notice that i don't get as many blackheads as before already!! Don't know what is the logic behind this, but i'm loving it so i'm not complaining!! :D

It's also perfect to soothe heat rash! I had a bout of those when i was scouring the infamously hot Chatuchak market in Bangkok, and this really helped keep them as comfortable as i get can! :D Even the husband and another guy friend couldn't resist stealing this for a few quick spritzes to cool down! :D

Needless to say i'll be repurchasing this again and again and again and i think you get it now. lol! :D I like this enough to even not feel like trying out the other facial sprays anymore!! :S


Credits: Product photos from Aveneusa.com.

Product Review: Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Instant Skin Perfecting Cream BB Cream SPF 26 PA+++

ps: Masking Mondays takes a break this week. I left my brains in Bangkok and actually OVERWRITTEN the upcoming review with something else, so this'll have to stand in until next Monday!! T_T So sorry about that!



At a Glance:
Price: 199 baht (approx. RM20.73 / US$5.76)
Website: Maybelline.co.th
Weight: 18ml
Made in: China
Likes: Looks really natural, didn't make my face shiny, gives a nice glow, decent SPF coverage! :D
Gripes: Not available in Malaysia, comes only in one shade.
Repurchase: Yes!
Jenn's Rating: 4.5 Stars! Me really likey!! :D

Ingredients:



Product Description

Our Instant Skin Perfecting Cream is a perfect blend of 8 mineral ingredients.

The unique earth color shade instantly improves and perfects your skin:

• Brightens skin: visible whitening effect
• Covers imperfections: reduces the appearance of pores, skin redness disappears
• Moisturizes + Protects: All day hydration + helps to protect skin from UV rays and free radicals
  

Actual Product Pic:


Pigmentation & Color:


Like many BB creams in the market, this only comes in one fair shade. It suits my NC20 skin perfectly though it may look ghastly white freshly applied. Give it a few minutes and watch the cream magically blends into your skin color!! Haha!! :D I'm quite impressed with the coverage of this - it managed to cover my pimples, and did wonderfully even out my ruddy face:



Pimples on my forehead begone! No pink cheeks as well!! Me likey! :D

Texture & Scent:
This BB cream spreads quite well so its a joy to apply! I like how it isnt very thick as well! :D This has a light plasticky chemical smell which disappears quickly.

Packaging:


This BB cream comes in a tube with a screw off cap! I love how tiny the dispensing hole is:



I also like that it comes with a safety "seal":



Time Test:
This BB cream stayed put for almost 8 hours without making my face shiny! :D

Price & Availability:
This BB Cream is priced at 199 baht, and should be available at all Maybelline displayers in Bangkok.

Usage:
This is perfect for everday use since it looks so natural! :D


My $0.02:

This is the second BB Cream i've ever used! I bought this at a whim in Bangkok because its so cheap and i've heard wonderful things about this baby! :D

And i'm so glad i tried this one out! :D For one, it looks really really natural on my skin (more so than the one from The Face Shop i reviewed some time ago)! It didn't make my skin greasy or anything too! I'm loving the natural glow i get from this one!! :D

It also lasts pretty long (although it did fade a little towards the end of the day)! I removed this after 12 hours and this is still there! Most foundations would have disappeared on me by then! Amazing!! :D

This is me after 7.5 hours (with some household chores in between!):



Nice and matte still, although the coverage faded a little. Hello pink cheeks once again! :D

All in all methinks that this is an amazing product at a really affordable price. Maybelline Malaysia, if you're reading this, please bring it in already - i'm sure it'll sell like hot cakes! :D


Photo credit: Product picture from Maybelline.co.th

MAC To The Beach Collection

US Launch Date: 27th May 2010



There is fun in the sun, to be sure, but to the beach is more of a sensual state of mind – a pleasure we all feel near the sea. The girl and boy from Ipanema, from Cap D’Antibes to West Palm Beach…All around the world, the seaside has a romance, and a kind of golden, sexy alchemy we’re all drawn to. This collection encapsulates it, with a new, lapping-wave Lip-Pencil and High-Light Powder in coral shades, Nail Lacquer – A Scorcher! – Eye Shadow, Kohl, and Powder Blush to get away from it all effortlessly. Sandbags, seashells, the magic of marine life decorating packaging in the most soothing sultry shades of summertime. Close your eyes, and go To The Beach!

Eyeshadows (US$14.50):



Sand & Sun – Light Peach (Matte)
Firecraker – Frosted Mid-Tone Red Orange (Veluxe Pearl)
Sweet & Punchy – Bright Yellow Green (Veluxe Pearl)
Shimmermoss – Green with Green Pearl (Veluxe Pearl) (Permenant)
Humid – Intense Green with Shimmer (Frost) (Permenant)

Lipsticks (US$14.00):



BeachBound – Sheer Frosted Pale Peach (Glaze)
Lazy Day – Light Dirty Blue Pink (Lustre)
Thrills – Rosy Copper with Gold Pearl (Frost)
FunBathing – Mid-Tone Bronzed Plum (Cremesheen)

Lipglasses (US$14.00):



Easy Lounger – Light Baby Pink with Multi-Dimensional Pearl
Flurry of Fun – Sheer Sparkly Peach
Splashing – Mid-Tone Blue Pink with Soft Gold Pearl

Lip Pencils (US$13.00):



Life’s a Breeze – Soft Pink
Temperature Rising – Loudmouth Orange

Eye Kohls (US$14.00):



Float on By – Dark Green Turquoise
Rosemary & Thyme – Mid-Tone Olive Gold with Shimmer (Permenant)

Powder Blushes(US$18.50):



Hipness – Intense Coral with Soft White Pearl (Frost) (Repromote from Fafi). See pic here, and swatch here.
Get-Away Bronze – Mid-Tone SunTan (Frost)

Highlight Powder (US$26.00):



Marine Life - Multicolour pressed powder

Nail Lacquer (US$12.00):



In the Buff – Muted Taupe Avocado (Cream)
Scorcher – Creamy Bright Coral Red (Cream)

MAC To The Beach Bag - available at MAC stores only (US$49.50):



Cream bronzer (US$25.00):



Beach Bronze – Golden Glow with Soft Gold Finish
Weekend – Mid-Tone Deep Orange Brown with Soft Pink Pearl

Luster drops (US$18.50):



Pink Rebel – Blue Pink with Gold Pearl
Sun Rush – Peachy Bronze with Gold Pearl
See swatches here.

Bronzing Powder (US$22.00):



Golden – Muted Golden Tan-Beige with Golden Shimmer
Refined Golden – Finely Spun Golden with Soft Pearl Finish. See swatch here.

Bronze Body Oil (US$22.00):



Glowing Tan with multidimensional Golden Shimmer

Brushes:



Brush 130 Short Duo Fibre – (US$38.00)
A short, round dual fibre with flat head composed of both natural bristles and synthetic fibers ideal for application with creams, emulsions & various powder products.

Brush 131 Short Duo Fibre Powder/ Blush - (US$34.00)
Flat, tapered face brush that contains a combination of short, natural, fibers and longer, fibre optic fibries ideal for light application and highlighting/ shading with various face powders; Ideally suited with mineralize skinfinish powder products. See actual pic here.


This summer collection definitely got my attention (ok who am i kidding - ALL limited edition packaging do!)! :D

*ahem* The 3 green shadows are coming home with me for sure, as well as Get Away Bronze and the absolutely gorgeous highlight powder. Maybe one lipstick and lipglass each for collection's sake! :D

What's on your list? Are you as excited as i am for this collection, or are not not impressed at all? Spill! :D



Credits: All pictures from Chic Profile, Color Story from Specktra.net.

MAC Riveting, Prep for Colour & Viva Glam From Our Lips Collections Review + Swatches! :D

Yeah you got it right, here's more MAC swatches for yall!! :D MAC decided to have a collection party and launch several collections at once over here (or it could be that i'm just late!! XD)! :D To non-MAC lovers, this is the last one for now, i promise!! :D

Lets start with the Riveting Collection! :D



This rocker chick inspired collection definitely has a few bold items! And the repromoted Bubbles, which i paid good money for on eBay because the Sugarsweet collection did not make its way to India and i thought i'll never be able to get my hands on this lipstick ever again!! ARGH!! *tears hair out*

Oh well, with that rant aside, lets go straight to the swatches! :D

Lipsticks (US$14.50 / RM63):



Bubbles (Glaze) - Shimmery warm white. Sad case story!! T_T Hahaha!! :P Ok enough self- pity for now! This one looks amazing when layered over other lipsticks! :D
Metal Maven (Frost) - Pale frosted silver. This one looks ALOT like Bubbles, just more pigmented and frostier!
Show Orchid (Amplified Creme) - Vivid hot pink. This one is definitely not for the faint hearted!! It's a permenant PRO colour! :)
Riveting (Glaze) - Mid-tone dirty mauve taupe


Lipglasses (US$14.00 / RM63):



Rock Out (Frost) - Light icy silver with pearl. This one reminds me alot of the She-Zam Dazzleglass minus the red sparkles! :D
True Babe (Cream) - Creamy mid-tone light blue pink. This one's pretty pigmented as well, and it compliments the Show Orchid lipstick perfectly! :D


Blushes (US$18.50/ RM75):



Full Fuchsia (Frost) - Very bright iridescent fushsia. This is very pigmented, and could look VERY scary if you don't dust it on with the lightest of hand! :S This is a permenant PRO colour.
Dirty Plum (Satin) - Deep plum. This one looks scary as well, but with a light hand it looks quite lovely! :D

Just in case you're wondering how this Dirty Plum compares to the one in the Give Me Liberty of London collection (which happens to be a matte finish), here's a side-by-side comparison on both:



To the naked eye, the one from the Liberty collection has just a weebit more red in it. Texture wise however, i think i prefer the one from this collection because it goes on smoother! :D


Nail Polishes (US$12.00/ RM42):


2 coats each.

Studded (Matte) - True silver with pearl. This one is SUPER GORGEOUS!! *hearts*
Wham Bam Glam (Matte) - Cool dark taupe. This one looks like poo! What a color, yuck!!
Black Enough? (Matte) - Black. This one looks quite nice too, but it goes on streaky! :S


Next, lets take a look at the Prep for Colour collection! :D



This tiny collection introduces the new Prep + Prime Skin Enhancers, which works similar to the current ones except these are more creamy!


Prep + Prime Fortified Skin Enhancers (US$30.00 / RM128):



These can be used to correct a sallow complexion, neutralize redness or brighten up skin accordingly! :D


Lipglass (US$14.00 / RM63):



Just for Colour (Frost) - Fuchsia pink. This one is not for the faint hearted as well!! I think Fuchsia is the IT colour of this season! lol!! :D


Eyeshadows (US$14.00 / RM58):



Hey (Veluxe Pearl) - Warm mid-tone beige. This one has really nice texture!! :D It's a repromote from Fafi.
Prepped for Colour (Frost) - Ashy / Dirty brown. Not a terribly unique color, but its beautiful nevertheless! :D
Sorcery (Satin) - Reddish mid-tone brown. This one has much better texture than the one from last year's Devil May Dare palette! :D


Last but not least, let's look at the Viva Glam From Our Lips collection, featuring Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper! :D



I'm totally digging the poster pic, especially the expression on Cyndi's face! hehe!! :D As most of you know, 100% of the price of MAC Viva Glam lipsticks go to the MAC HIV Fund (which goes to people living with HIV irregardless of sex, race and age), so you're actually doing charity whilst looking pretty! :D



Gaga (Lustre) - Light blue pink. This one is surprisingly quite opaque despite it being a lustre! :D
Cyndi (Lustre) - Light reddish coral. This one is alot less scary once applied than it is in the tube! :D


That's all for my swatches! :D Curious to know what i got from these collections? :D


In their boxes!! :D


Open sesame! I got VG Gaga, VG Cyndi, Studded nail lacquer and the Naked Liner lip pencil from the Too Fabulous Collection! :D

As you can probably tell, i'm not a nail polish person at all, but Studded is too pretty to skip!! I also influenced my colleague to buy this one! hehehe!! :P

That's all for now!! It's Friday once again already! I've had a horrible week, so i'm actually quite glad that it's over already!! Hopefully next week will be better!! :D

You girls (and guys) have fun too!! Take care!! :D