Shen's Addiction: brightening skincare

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I admit, I find scientific things boring. But when it comes to beauty, I find myself clamoring for the information and product sheet that I would rather have them than the free product. I like reading press releases of the latest skin care as it gives me everything I want to know. I enjoy learning the science behind what makes a product work, what else have they come up with, what did they discover in the course of their research. I'm sure I'll make my chemistry teacher proud when she learns all she taught me wasn't for naught.

I was invited to the press launch of Estee Lauder's New Cyberwhite Brilliant Cells. It's a reformulation of the very popular CyberWhite EX that combats hyperpigmentation and provide a clear, even, luminescent skin that's from within.

New CyberWhite Brilliant Cells targets the different kinds of dark spots. I certainly didn't know that! There's the Barely Visible Spots, Small Surface Spots, Stubborn Age Spots and the newly Discovered Recurring Spots.

And with every spot, Estee Lauder - with it's 25 years of experience in skin whitening - now has provided solution for these troubling spots. And along with that, they have also given answers to skin's dullness: Dehydration, Uneven Skin Texture, Disorganized Collagen and Poor Microcirculation.

Did you know that Asian skin has less blood flowing on to our skin resulting to a dull looking one? I certainly didn't. But it made a lot of sense. I notice that as I age, my skin is less rosier and my skin a lot sullen. And all because of poor micro circulation of blood.

Estee Lauder CyberWhite Brilliant Cells aim to resolve that and to ultimately give the skin a brighter, even looking tone that is long-lasting.

See? See what checking out product information does to me? Now I won't be able to sleep unless I get to try even just one product from this line! Oh the bane of being a beauty addict!

Aside from the skin care product demonstration, they also provided one about the makeup line of CyberWhite Brilliant Cells.

Isabel Roces, Agoo Benzon, Nichole Reyes-Mercado, Regina Aquino and Cindy Go

Lovely ladies from the publishing and internet media graced the event of the CyberWhite Brilliant Cells Launch.

Trixie Reyna, Managing Editor for Cosmo.ph and Frances Amper-Sales, EIC of OK! Magazine and TopazHorizon.com

Regina Belmonte, Beauty Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine, Kim Tan-Rodriguez of thebeautyaddict.com

Liz Lanuzo of Projectvanity.com and another beauty enthusiast

Sandra Lacson, Brand Manager and Liz Pe Aguirre, Brand Coordinator for Estee Lauder.

Am I getting addicted to whitening and brightening products? Oh boy, I think I am!

Thanks to Estee Lauder Philippines for inviting me to this very intimate launch.

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The Body Shop has just revamped their Vitamin C Skin Care range to our skin that much needed radiance. And you know me, I'm a sucker for anything latest when it comes to skin care, makeup, gadgets, clothes... ok... just about everything. :)

The first on the list was The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost. It's probably one of the things I've been wanting to try for quite a long time.. actually, even when it was first introduced years back. And just a few weeks ago, I've been lemming for the Vitamin C skin care line seeing that they have improved it and given it a new look. But even based on reviews of the former Vitamin C line, the raves I've read about the Skin Boost were phenomenal, even life changing.

Really, who am I not to try this right?

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost

The Body Shop says:

Best if you want to: Create instant smoothing radiance with a silky smooth finish. It's an ideal skin pick-me-up to enhance your glow and our favorite Vitamin C product!

Best for: Dull skin

How it works:
Contains Amazonian camu camu berry, which is known to have one of the highest contents of vitamin C in nature. Antioxidant vitamin C brightens skin, encourages collagen production, improves elasticity, and works along with skin-softening vitamin E to protect skin from environmental aggressors.
Community Trade Brazil nut oil moisturizes and softens skin.
How to apply:
Apply in an upward, circular motion after moisturizing for a smooth base and a healthy-looking glow

The Vitamin Skin Boost is a great moisturizer for those who hates greasy emollient moisturizer. It will leave the skin soft and smooth immediately after application. I love how this feels like a primer, a brithening one at that. This serum reduces the sullen look of my face as it boosts with the essence from Camu-Camu which has the highest concentration of Vitamin C . Much like the same when I take my Vitamin C tablet every morning, I feel a sudden burst of energy as the day goes one, this serum seems to improve the texture of face as the days pass.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost is a gel-like fluid that comes out in a 30 ml pump bottle. It has a feel of a face primer and The Body Shop website even says that it is great to use as a make-up base since it smoothes the skin surface. It does not have a greasy feel but rather leaves the face matte after applications.

Since it has a feel of a primer, this is also a good makeup base since it provides a smooth skin surface. It helps reduce the pores' appearance and the skin do not feel or look oily. Rather there is a hint of glow with every application. Most of all I love the dewy look it gives me. M

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost Swatch

Applied on to skin (natural light)

Applied on the skin (with flash)

What I love about The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost...

1. Smells oh-so citrus-y
2. Easy to apply with its gel-like consistency.
3. Can double as a makeup base for smoother foundation application.
4. Rejuvenates my face as days goes by.
5. Livens up my skin tone with days of use.
6. Community Trade ingredients were used.
7. This 30ml Bottle will last me a long time
8. Gives a natural healthy glow on my skin.
9. No skin reactions whatsoever.
10. O.K. to partner with any current skin care.

What I don't...

None so far.

Conclusion:
The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost is definitely for those who feels that their face is dull and is looking for a brightening and rejuvenating product that can double as a makeup base and give skin a smoother and softer skin. This is also for you if you are on a look out for a product that you can insert in your current skin care regimen, not wanting to disrupt the process of your skin healing process but want something more that you are not getting. This is also safe for almost all skin types and have been tested by many Asian skin types. And for those who have tried the former Skin Boost, this is a product that you should try since it's been made a lot more potent.

This is definitely something I am keeping in my vanity for easy use because I am just loving the results.

Addiction Rating: 8
(1- i can live without it... ; 10-i am all over it!)

Hope you like this review! :)

much love,
Shen

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Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Dimethicone (Skin Conditioning Agent), Cyclohexasiloxane (Conditioning Agent), Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Emulsion Stabilizer), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite (Viscosity Increasing Agent), HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer (Anticaking Agent), Fragrance (Fragrance), Ascorbic Acid (Antioxidant), Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil (Emollient), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Glycerin (Humectant), Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Polysilicone-11 (Film Former), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Silica (Absorbent), Benzyl Benzoate (Solvent), Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Water (Solvent/Diluent), Hexyl Cinnamal (Fragrance Ingredient), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Mica (Opacifier), Titanium Dioxide (Colour).

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Dear beauties,

Are you tired of using concealers to cover those dark spots? How about piling on the foundation because of uneven skintone? Finally after years of research, Shisheido has come up with a skin care that promise to diminish those spots and give you a skin so bright, you glow.

Luxasia deemed me worthy to be among the guests for the launch of Shiseido's White Lucent Skin Care Line, its latest offering to the beauty-addicts like me. White Lucent, with its Melano SensorSystem and Shiseido's whitening ingredients immediately target age spots, darkened pores and pimple marks. In just two weeks, you'll see visible results.

Uber eye cadies introduced the White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum to all the guests.
(we were hoping these men came with our press kits.. just kidding!)

We got to try the product on the spot and I immediately loved the scent. Oh how I wish mom was here to enjoy these products!

The whole line of White Lucent.

I definitely would purchase the immediate products like cleanser, toner and serum. But as with a lot of skin care line, it would be great if we are devoted to one skincare line. So if you still have lots of acne to deal with or thinking of going to the beach anytime soon, better put off using any whitening treatments. Often, my dermatologists would say that we have to deal with the immediate problems before we move on to the next.

My advise, start using skin care lines like White Lucent when vacationing is done or at the beginning of a colder season. Around May and June in the Philippines, I start to deal with the hyper-pigmentation and dark spots on my skin. There is less sun exposure that would ensure my whitening treatments would work without any distraction.

Ms. Momo Nagai, Shiseido's Area Sale Manager for Philippines and Thailand

Me and Nikki were a bit of early birds. :)

Frances of OK! Magazine and Topaz Horizon arrived shortly.
She always gives a refreshing feeling when she's at an event. The place seem less intimidating with her friendly smiles.

Nikki and Frances, two bloggers who dominate the beauty cyberworld!

Beautiful women of Cosmopolitan Philippines.

Jane, Frances and Nikki.

Me, Jane, Frances and Nikki.
I still get starstruck whenever I'm with these ladies, I can't believe I can call them by their first names.. Lol.

You know Nikki and I won't leave without a pose at the photo wall. :)

close up, please!!

Thank to Keith for the photos I was in. :)

So, what are you waiting for? Deal with those dark spots and saves tons of time and money in covering them up. I'm saying this because now I already have reduced my usage of concealer. I can't believe how fast Shiseido White Lucent works! If only there's something for redness then I could go out without a stitch of makeup on! Imagine?

I know I wasn't able to talk so much of the benefit of this products except its immediate effect. Please visit Shiseido Asia website to more in depth information about the White Lucent Line. Everything there would definitely convince you to shell out extra few bucks for this product. For a product that works, nothing is too expensive.

much love,
Shen

Shiseido White Lucent is available at all Beauty by SM and leading department store nationwide. Find them all at your favorite malss, too, like Shangri-la (my favorite mall).

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I have been awed by Bobbi Brown Cosmetics for years now. I first heard of her brand when when I was watching a certain show in Lifestyle channel back in my college days. I thought then that her makeup speaks so much of being a woman who is uncompromising. Her mind seems to be dead set on giving women what they want. Well, who knows better than a woman to give what women wants but someone whose passion is beauty and cosmetics?

For years now, Bobbi has made women convert to makeup. She doesn't seem to discriminate herself from other cosmetic brands and yet maintain her own persona that sets her apart. Reading her book Makeup Manual, made me a firm believer that cosmetic is indeed for everyone. No need to shy away from cosmetics, I tell you. And here, I'll tell you why.

I was recently invited by Bobbi Brown Philippines to personally try out some of their cosmetics by way of achieving a perfect beautiful skin in 10 easy steps. Now, I'm not about to tell that you need to buy all the products you see in the photo essay below. Rather, I encourage you to explore the Bobbi Brown counters here in our country and see if something strikes your fancy as you practice the 10 Step Beauty routine.

This was the before picture (before everything else)

Skin Care is vital in all beauty regimen/routine/practice. I honestly don't know any women my age who doesn't have her own skin care kit at home that she uses day and night. The purpose of which is to make your skin maintain its youthful glow and suppleness.

Bobbi Brown Brightening skincare line does exactly that... and at first try, I was impressed. My skin was noticeably smoother and less "harag" looking.

Personally, I stray away from anything that says moisture or hydration in skincare since i thought this would make me look more oilier. Contrary to the popular belief, it didn't. I felt like a dunce trying to convince myself I didn't need all that hydration when it clearly was the answer. Since my face was moisturized, my oil glands didn't work doubly hard. Hence, oil was less existent (if not entirely eradicated). I was only after a few hours on the Tzone area. Suffice it to say, It was love at first sight. What more if I got to buy the whole set... Le sigh.

Aside from the Brightening Skin Care, Hydrating Eye Cream was used to depuff my eyebags.

On to the Steps:

Step 1 Corrector/Concealer

Concealing is very important in an achieving the perfect-looking skin. For some of us, a simple concealer would do but for those who share the same dilemma as I do, correctors do come in handy (or should I say saves the entire look). Bobbi Brown peach corrector is a definite must-have. I thought that the creamy consistency does not bode well for oily skin but it did blend seamlessly and stayed put for the better part of the day. I love it. This will definitely go on my must-buy-ASAP list. No joke.

Peach corrector and Warm Beige Creamy Concealer Kit was used on me.

Step 2 Foundation

Swatching is very important like what I told you in my Guide to makeup shopping. This goes the same for your foundation. The good thing is, Bobbi Brown appeases your worry and swatches 3 foundation on your skin and helps you determine what shade suits you best. Remember, the one that disappears on your skin in the natural light is the best shade for you.

When applying foundation, you need only to concentrate on evening out your skin tone and do not entirely need to cover your face with the foundation but only where there's redness. Personally, I didn't think this type of technique will work but with the years Bobbi Brown has on me, who am I to question?

Warm Beige of Skin Foundation with SPF 15 was used on me.

Step 3 Powder/Bronzer

Now this is a step that should never be missed. This finishes the whole face. With this, you are ready to go, in my opinion.

Bobbi Brown shares that Bronzing Powder helps add a little warmth to the skin. If you know me, you know I love bronzers. So I definitely agree on her with this one. The thing is many are scared of bronzer. The simple trick is less is more. Dab your powder brush lightly on the bronzer, tap and even swipe of a little at your wrist and swipe over cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.

If you like taking advise from me then you should take this advise as well since its from Bobbi Brown.

At this point, you can consider yourself ready to go with just a wipe of a gloss. Bobbi Brown designed the 10 Step beauty in such a way that you can stop at any moment you feel like you're... well, good to go. If the cab arrived early or the meeting was moved an hour early, the first 3 steps and even succeeding ones are enough to give you that flawless finished look.

Soft Sand Bobbi Brown Pressed Powder was used on me.

Step 4 Blush

Bobbi's philosophy is blush is quite new to me. But this new trick always the color to show more on the skin and for it to stay on longer.

First is the application of a nuetral blush (light mauve). Blend upwards to the hairline and downward to give that natural blushed look. When we blush, the colors are not really even, we may appear redder on either both side of the cheeks and theirs a gradient to it. The trick is to even it out and to accentuate it.

Adding a pop of color (bright pink for example) give a longer lasting look. Not to mention, mimics a perpetual blushed and flushed appearance.

This trick did me in, it was one of the best blush application I've ever seen in my 2 years seeing how blush is applied.

I think Plum and Peony shades were used on me.

Step 5 Lipstick/Gloss

Apply a balm first before color to give your lips that moisturized look. I personally do this after my skin care routine to prep my lips. (That's people think I also have nice lip color application.) The lip balm moisturizes my puckers that makes it easier for me to swipe off the color, even without a lip brush.

Bobbi's trick in finding the perfect everyday lip color, the most flattering shade will either match or be slightly darker than your lips. In this makeover, Dennis used Brown on me.

To be honest, lip liner is the least cosmetic product I use. I find it drying on my lips. With Bobbi Brown's trick though, there is no reason that my lip liner should stay doormat on my stash. To avoid feathering of lip color, lining my lips with Lip Liner after lip color should help avoid it. Lip brush in aid to blend both lip liner and color together.

Step 7 Brows

I may not be good at coloring and shaping my brows but this is one step I never forget. In my routine, this is after powder application since i have thin eyebrows. I can't go out looking like Powder.

Bobbi Brown advised that Eye Shadow color nearest to your eyebrows should give you most natural, define brows. Use your favorite Eye Brow Brush. Begin at the inner corner and work your way out as you follow the most natural shape suing light feathery strokes.

If your application was way too harsh than intended, pressing loose powder onto your brows with a powder puff should lessen the harshness.

Sable Eyeshadow was used to give that perfect brows.

See? I look good so much better than the before pic already. And I haven't had any eyeshadow done yet. :)

Step 8 Eye Shadow

Bobbi's trick here looks easier than anything I've ever seen. A light eyeshadow applied from lashline to browbone using your favoirte shader brush. Then dust a medium color on the lower lid up to the crease using your favorite shadow brush or in my case, blending brush.

Dennis used Ivory and Sable eyeshadow on my eyes. Then the Top Rated Bronzed Shimmer Brick to give me that daytime smoky look.

Step 9 Eye Liner

My favorite among everything in eye make up application is lining my eyes. The trickiest and hardest but my most favorite since this helps me look appear more awake.. and well, looking real good. I have to say the Long-Wear Gel Eye Liner did its job extremely well since I still had it on without so much as a budge until the wee hours of the morning. It even stayed put on my watery waterline!!

Step 10 Mascara

True black Mascara makes the most impact, Bobbi says. And she's right in my opinion. I don't have any other mascara color except for black ones since it gives my eyes a more wide awake look. Brown is more for softer look, she adds.

In my opinion, mascara is the last in almost all makeup routine to make sure that your lashes isn't coated with foundation that may drag your eyes down, giving you a very unfinished and unflattering look.

Always curl lashes before applying mascara.

Results....

A little fixing of the hair

et viola!

no flash

products used

After more than 9 hours, here are the photos of my eye makeup
(without a primer except the foundation stick applied on my eyelids)

If you're wondering what else in on my Must-Buy-ASAP list, its the:
1. Hydrating Eye Cream - I have the sample. I've seeing changes already. Definitely less puffiness.
2. Creamy Concealer in Warm Beige - Easy to use, covers a lot and travel-friendly.
3. Long-Wear Gel Liner - Long-wear is an understatement. More than 9 hours of it staying put was eternity for me.
4. Skin Foundation with SPF 15 - This will be my new everyday foundation. It's soooo light!
5. Brownie Lip Color - this is every Warm medium skin tone girl's everyday lip color. You don't need to exercise your brain cells with this one, I tell yah.
6. No Smudge Mascara - do I really have to explain this? It says no smudge and the wand is amazing!! Get in to all those eyelashes, top and bottom.

Thank you once again to the Bobbi Brown Philippines Blossom and Ina for inviting me to this personalized event. To Dennis of Bobbi Brown counter in Rustan's Shangri-la who showed me the step by step and giving a look that wowed my friends and the BF.

Visit Bobbibrowncosmetics.com to explore the wonderful products of Bobbi Brown.

Bobbi Brown 10-Step Beauty Guide.

Join Bobbi Brown Philippines facebook fan page.

much love,
Shen

Soon. I'll show you my the Bobbi Brownie Lip Color I got to take home with me.
Also, the Bobbi Brown Lip Color in New Guava, a shade from the Cabana Corals Collection. My first Bobbi Brown purchase. :) A lip color fit for this summer season.

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