Photolog 2020: Day 44 of 366

Lancôme Skin Feels Good Hydrating Skin Tint Healthy Glow in 035W Fresh Almond
Say hello to my new obsession: Lancôme Skin Feels Good Hydrating Skin Tint Healthy Glow. I never thought I would see the day when I would actually like tinted moisturizer (or any liquid face makeup), but since quitting MAC in December, I've been in a no-makeup phase. I've worn full face makeup exactly twice in the past two months (once to go out for a celebratory dinner with some friends and the other for a job interview). Otherwise, I only wear mascara when I go out. But sometimes I want my skin to look a little more even and a little clearer since I have redness and freckles, especially since I'm starting my new job in a couple weeks (yes, I got it!). The obvious solution is tinted moisturizer or BB cream, which also comes with SPF (sunscreen has become essential). So I tried many different samples from many different brands, and almost all of them went on either too pink, too light, too sheer, too opaque, too matte, or too dewy. Some were just too damn expensive.

Enter Lancôme. Frankly, I never thought I would buy a Lancôme product again after I quit working for them back in 2009. Not because they don't make quality products, but because I just felt that there were cheaper, more effective, or more suitable options for myself in both skincare and makeup from other brands. But this skin tint is phenomenal. They make the perfect shade for me (this is super rare since Lancôme has never made a face makeup that was warm enough for my skintone), it totally evens out my redness, it fades out freckles without covering them up completely, and my skin looks realistically clear and fresh with just the right amount of luminosity. It's not so dewy that I look like I dipped my face in oil (super important since I have combo-oily skin to begin with), but it's not so matte that I look like I have makeup on. It just looks like I have naturally great skin.

The best part is I got my mom to grab it for me 'cause it's Thursday, which means Seniors' Day at Shoppers Drug Mart, and those who are 60+ get 20% off everything. THE BEST.

Lancôme Roseraie des Delice: Le French Touch Gourmand Color Lipsticks

Lancôme's Spring 2012 colour collection by Aaron de Mey, called Roseraie des Delice, is "inspired by a garden party that takes place in a rose garden." (Sound familiar?) This collection is available at all Lancôme counters and online. This collection features nine new and limited edition products. Roseraie des Delice sees the release of three new and limited edition shades of Le French Touch Gourmand Color Bare Lips Sensation lipsticks (one of which will not be reviewed here). It is touted to have a silky formula that is "rich in Pro-Xylane to nourish and re-plump lips." There is usually a fragrance in Lancôme's lipsticks, but I couldn't detect a scent or taste in these. Each lipstick comes in a brushed gilded metal tube with mint green stripes, contains 3 grams of product, and retails for $40.

314 Rose Candy and 316 Soft Marshmallow

314 Rose Candy is a medium bright reddened pink. It goes on smoothly and evenly, and has a lightweight texture. It has low pigmentation, and sheer to semi-sheer buildable colour pay-off. It is more pink than Revlon Sweet Tart Lip Butter, and less orange than MAC Full Speed Sheen Supreme Lipstick.

316 Soft Marshmallow is a light warm pink. It goes on smoothly and evenly, and has a lightweight texture. It has low pigmentation, and sheer to semi-sheer buildable colour pay-off. It is more yellow than MAC Viva Glam Gaga and Revlon Strawberry Shortcake Lip Butter.

Overall, I really like the look and feel of these lipsticks. Like Chanel Rouge Coco Shines and YSL Volupté Sheer Candy Glossy Balms, these are meant to be sheer lip colours (Lancôme calls this "Bare Lips Sensation"). I did find these to be more moisturizing than both Chanel's and YSL's formulas, though. They make my lips look full and juicy and plump, while adding a nice pop of colour. I also like that they feel lightweight and hydrating while worn. The only downfall here is the price. While I do find the small striped brushed metal tubes to be really cute (they remind me of peppermint candies), I just don't think it merits the $40 price tag. Seriously, these end up being more expensive than Chanel, YSL, and Dior. If these were really unique shades, I'd say go for it, but in this instance, I think you're better off getting some of the Revlon Lip Butters instead, which will give you the same effect but at a fraction of the cost.

Lancôme Roseraie des Delice: La Roseraie Illuminating Smooth Powder

Lancôme's Spring 2012 colour collection by Aaron de Mey, called Roseraie des Delice, is "inspired by a garden party that takes place in a rose garden." (Sound familiar?) This collection is available at all Lancôme counters and online. This collection features nine new and limited edition products. The star product of the collection is La Roseraie Illuminating Smooth Powder. It is meant to be a "lightweight, multi-dimensional powder that gives a transparent finish to the skin" and is touted as an "all-in-one product for cheeks and face." Each powder comes in a black compact with "La Roseraie" written on the outside in mint green, contains 11 grams of product, and retails for $48.

La Roseraie features a satin peachy pink rose design and satin pale cream beige "stripes" with a gold shimmer overlay on every other "stripe." When mixed together, it creates a light peachy pink with gold shimmer and a light pink sheen. The texture is soft, silky, smooth, and very lightweight. It has light pigmentation and sheer to semi-sheer colour pay-off. This product is touted to have a "transparent finish," so the sheerness of the product is to be expected. Because of this, it should work well on all skintones and undertones. It is not as frosted as MAC Porcelain Pink Mineralize Skinfinish.

I almost didn't want to touch it because I didn't want to ruin the gorgeous imprint. I was really disappointed to see that the gold shimmer "stripes" were just an overlay, though. The purpose of La Roseraie is very similar to that of MAC's Beauty Powder, but this is much more translucent and less frosted, so it's more wearable in general and can possibly even appeal to those who hate shimmer (a "gateway" product into shimmer, if you will). However, this product is almost too translucent for me; it barely shows up — at least, on its own (the swatch in the picture is layering the product about five times). If you layer it on top of blush, it does soften the colour and add a very subtle glow. However, as a highlighter, it barely registers. It seems that the main purpose of this powder is to add a subtle all-over illumination to the face (with "subtle" being the keyword here), and it does to a certain extent — it will be more apparent in direct lighting or sunlight than indoors. But for $48, it was painful to see that this product barely shows up on skin. You can easily find a product that does something similar for much, much less.

Pre-Birthday Haul!

I may have had a bit of a shopping spree this evening... It all started at Shoppers, 'cause they're having a 20x Optimum points event in cosmetics this week. So, I obviously stocked up on my fall/winter skincare: Lancôme's Bienfait Aqua Vital Continuous Infusing Moisturizer, Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, and Hydra Zen Neurocalm Extreme Soothing Moisturizing Cream-Gel. Then, loaded up with points, I headed over to Murale to redeem them:

I got a new tube of my favourite Chanel Mousse Exfoliante Pureté Facial Cleanser and Gommage Microperlé Pureté Exfoliator, and I also picked up a bottle of Skyn Iceland's Glacial Face Wash, which I have been wanting to try for a while, but always forget about while at Sephora.

I also got some make-up goodies, 'cause I can't go to Murale and not buy some sort of colour product. I got three shades of Deborah Lippmann nail lacquers, including a bottle of Happy Birthday (I thought it was fitting), a new bottle of Across The Universe (I lost mine, which upsets me greatly, 'cause it is my all-time favourite glitter polish), and Marquee Moon ('cause it has glitter in it, and I must have all of Lippmann's glitter polishes). I also picked up the new NARS Highlighter Blush in Miss Liberty from the Holiday 2011 collection (I was tempted by some other things, but ultimately decided I need new eyeshadows like I need another hole in my head), and new tubes of Lancôme's Artliner Precision Eye Liner (hands down, the best liquid eyeliner, ever) and Hypnôse Custom Volume Mascara (still my favourite mascara).

And since I tried Principessa's Lip Balm from my Glymm Box last month, I've been really interested in trying some of their other products. Murale is one of the few places I've seen this brand, so I decided to check them out while I was there. I decided to pick up their Bellina Box Ultimate Spa Case, which includes full-size bottles of their Cattiva Diva Silky Hand Cream, Dolce Dreams Whipped Body Lotion, and Fresh Fiore Shower Cream, along with a shower pouf. I just tried the shower cream and body lotion, and am really enjoying them. I smell like a vanilla marshmallow, which I would hate in the summer, but actually really like now that it's cold out. The scent lingers, but it's not overwhelming. And the body lotion is actually really moisturizing, even though it doesn't feel very heavy.

And since we were already at Shops at Don Mills, I decided to stop by Aritzia to pick up some more TNA leggings (seriously, I live in these) and a new black zip-up hoodie. And then I saw their new Wilfred shrunken Chevalier blazer. Now, if you know me in real life, you'd know that I practically live in Wilfred's original black double-crêpe Chevalier blazer. Seriously, I probably wear it every other day. It's just so comfy but still polished and professional and appropriate for work (!). When I bought it, I felt kind of guilty, 'cause $225 is a little steep for a blazer, but the cost per use is currently lower than $1 (seriously). So imagine how happy I was when I saw this shrunken version that is shorter and more fitted, but still just as comfy and polished and professional and appropriate for work! I've always loved their structuredblazers, but most of them are too stiff for me to work in ('cause when you do make-up for a living, you need to be able to move your arms freely). So this is absolutely perfect. Instant love. And I will wear it until its cost per use is also lower than $1.

Somehow, I ended the evening at a Foody Mart. Okay, I warn you all: Never go to a Foody Mart on a Friday night. That stereotype of Bad Asian Drivers? It all happens in the parking lot of a Foody Mart (or T&T Supermarket). And it's not just one or two, but every single goddamn one of them. And then when you somehow manage to make your way around these drivers and find a parking space and go inside? Well, here's a new stereotype: Bad Asian Walkers. Seriously, they walk like they drive. But it was made slightly better because among some other things (shrimp chips, rice crackers, etc.), I found some positively delightful goodies: Kasugai Mangosteen Gummy Candy (!) and Pocky Milk Chocolate Salty Pretzels (!!!).

Needless to say, I had a very good day.

Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Mascara

Lancôme released a new mascara a couple weeks ago called Hypnôse Doll Eyes. Lancôme touts this mascara as their "most flirtatious lash look" with "volumized, extended, lifted lashes," giving a "wide-eyed look." Hypnôse Doll Eyes comes with a conical-shaped brush to provide "an extremely smooth and clean application, precisely defining even your hard-to-reach and lower lashes." It is meant to "lift and thicken every single lash without weighing it down." Currently, the mascara only comes in black (called So Black), and retails for $31 a pop. It is available at all Lancôme counters, Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique, and Murale in Canada.

First, I must note that I have relatively straight and very long eyelashes, so I'm only writing about how this mascara applies to this lash type. I personally don't find that I benefit from the cone-shaped brush at all. Though it does define my lashes, I don't find that the application is particularly smooth or clean. And while Doll Eyes is a lightweight formula, I didn't find it to really lift or thicken particularly well. Or, at least well enough to replace any other existing mascara. Hypnôse Doll Eyes is reminiscent of L'Extrême, in that it helps define and lengthen, but not volumize. And even then, I find L'Extrême to do a better job at both. And unless you have naturally curled lashes, Doll Eyes won't provide enough lift or curl without the help of an eyelash curler.

I'm not sure why Lancôme would put Doll Eyes under the Hypnôse name, given that both the original Hypnôse and Hypnôse Drama are volumizing mascaras. Even though it's touted to give volume, I needed four coats of Doll Eyes to give me similar volume of two coats of the original Hypnôse, and it doesn't go on nearly as smooth. Overall, I am really disappointed in this mascara. You're honestly better off with L'Extrême or Definicils for definition and length. And this doesn't even compare to Hypnôse for volume. I think the reason as to why I'm so underwhelmed with Doll Eyes is because Lancôme already has so many other phenomenal mascaras. There's just no reason to buy this one over the others in terms of definition, length, volume, or curl, because Doll Eyes will just be inferior to the others. Honestly, I find that I get more of that "doll-eyed" look with the original Hypnôse, and seeing as they're the same price, you're better off skipping Doll Eyes.

Lancôme Ultra Lavande

Most of Lancôme's Spring Collection, Ultra Lavande, didn't really intrigue me except for a new shade of Le Vernis Nail Colour in 359 Lavande. Despite the name, it's actually not lavender. It's a gorgeous mid-tone, slightly blue-based purple cream that should suit all skintones because it doesn't lean too blue. I have tons of nail polishes, many of them in purple shades, but surprisingly, I don't have one like this (they're either too light or too dark, or too blue or too red). I'm sure that there's a dupeable colour out there, but I haven't found it yet. I'm glad Lancôme didn't go the pastel route for Spring, 'cause I can see this shade being wearable all year round. It goes on relatively smooth, and goes opaque in two medium coats.

My complaints come in regarding the packaging and the price. You only get 6 ml in Lancôme polishes now (they used to be 10 ml), and it comes with a plastic top instead of a metal one (which is fine, 'cause less fingerprints stay on it). But it does look significantly cheaper than it did before. And it's $16 for 6 ml, making it more expensive than even Chanel, which is $26 for 13 ml. If you do the math, Lancôme is $2.67/ml and Chanel is $2/ml. As a result, I would only splurge for Lancôme polishes for a unique shade, like this one (which is also my principle with Chanel polishes).

L'Wren Scott for Lancôme

I picked up the new L'Absolu Rouge lipstick from the L'Wren Scott for Lancome collection today. It looks very vampy and dark in the tube, but in actual execution, it's a beautiful deep berry red shade that's actually very wearable and perfect for the holiday season. As with all L'Absolu Rouge lipsticks, it goes on smooth, creamy, and pigmented, while keeping lips moisturized. I'd have to say that Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge lipsticks are one of my favourite formulas to apply.

Boston: Day 1, Duty Free

Road trip with the boyfriend: October 12 to 16. Destination: Boston, Massachusetts. Approximate distance one way: 550 km. Approximate hours of driving one way: 10 hours. Approximate hours of driving one way with my driving: 8.5 hours. Time of departure: 10:30pm, October 12.
First stop: Duty Free. Sweet!

I swear I actually didn't plan on buying any cosmetics, but I noticed they had Lancome's new Hypnose Precious Cells Mascara, which we don't have in Canada yet, so I picked up two tubes. And while I was at the Lancome section, I grabbed a tube of the Gel Eclat Clarifying Cleanser Pearly Foam (the American version of our Creme Radiance Cream Cleanser). I also grabbed a couple of things by H20+ 'cause they were pretty cheap: Oasis Mist Hydrating Water and Face Oasis Dual-Action Exfoliating Cleanser. Discounted prices and no tax! You just can't go wrong. And our dollar is almost on par with the American dollar. Shopping is going to be awesome.

I also bought a bottle of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select Tennessee Whiskey for Ben, and two cartons of cigarettes (one to bring home, one to split on our road trip - only $50 each carton, which means saving at least $5 per pack!). Conclusion: Duty Free makes me super happy.

Lancôme Color Design Matte Lipstick

I ended up grabbing a couple more lipsticks yesterday while working at Lancome: Color Design Matte Lipstick in Posh Pink (brightened pink with a slight coral edge) and Stylista (softened coral-peach). I'm pleasantly surprised at the formula of these lipsticks, because for matte lipsticks, they go on incredibly smooth and soft - not drying or chalky at all. To be fair, I would say the finish of the lipsticks aren't fully matte, because there is a bit of a sheen in the sunlight, but they look like a matte lipstick in natural lighting. The pigmentation is in line with matte lipsticks; that is, full colour coverage. And they leave a nice stain after several hours of wear. I'd have to say that these are my favourite matte lipsticks I've tried so far. There's nothing I don't like about them.

While I was at the mall, I sort of embarked on a mini shopping spree at Aritzia, where I may have bought a new black wool and cashmere Talula Babaton peacoat, two shearling-lined TNA zip-up hoodies in black and peacock blue, two plaid boyfriend fit hooded TNA flannel button-up shirts, a couple of TNA shrunken crewneck pullover sweaters in black and grey, a couple more black T. Babaton seamless tanks, and a "greige" linen Wilfred scarf. Conclusion: I should not be allowed in malls.

Lancôme French Coquettes

I picked up a couple of demo shifts for Lancome this past week, and finally played around with the new French Coquettes fall collection. It's actually a really nice collection, and I think I would've bought more from it if the prices weren't so high. ($47 for a pot of eyeshadow pigment? $16 for a tiny vial of nail polish? No, thanks.)

I did, however, pick up the new limited edition French Touch Cult Rouge Silky Cream Lipstick in 304 Cherry Sarah. It's a medium cherry plum shade that can go from subtle to dramatic depending on how the number of applications. I like that it leaves a nice plum stain after a couple hours of wear, and it never screams "vampy!" The formula goes on smooth and it feels really nice on the lips; creamy and moisturizing, but not slippery. The packaging is small, but you get the same amount of product as in a regular Lancome lipstick. I personally love the packaging; it's in a silver metal tube with an Eiffel Tower/fishnet stocking-esque pattern etched on it, and the Lancome rose logo imprinted on the end. They're $40 each, which is actually more expensive than Lancome's L'Absolu Rouge lipsticks (that were already expensive to begin with at $35 a pop), but such is the nature of limited edition products.

Other recent purchases also include: a pair of UGG Evera oxford sneakers in black suede, two pairs of Gap Legging Jeans in a faded grey wash and dark wash, several Calvin Klein bras, and a shit ton of television DVDs from Amazon.ca:

- The Big Bang Theory: Season 3

- How I Met Your Mother: Season 5

- Community: Season 1

- Glee: Season 1

- Pushing Daisies: Seasons 1 and 2

- Parenthood: Season 1

- Mercy: Season 1

- Grey's Anatomy: Season 6

- Heroes: Season 4

- Smallville: Season 9

- 90210: Season 2

Conclusion: I should not be allowed to shop online.