‘Product Reviews’ Category Posts

10
Feb
2012

Sponsored Post

L'Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence Review

Asians have it good. Look at these Asian beauties we all know and admire for their beauty. Compared to their Western counterparts, they generally look younger and more youthful than someone of the same age in other parts of the world. Personally, I remember being asked if I was in my early 20s by some of the European girls when I was competing in the Miss Universe 2011 pageant. In actual fact, I was about 4 to 5 years older than a lot of them!

L'Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence Review

Environmental factors (sun exposure, weather, humidity, diet, different seasons etc) play a big role in determining our our skin condition. But genes are a big part of it too. So, what do Asian beauties like Li BingBing, Zhang Zilin, Gong Li, and ME (Wahahaha!), I mean Fan BingBing have in common other than their stellar beauty? Good genes of course (ahem!). But science can do a lot to help enhance those good genes!

L'Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence

Introducing the L’Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence that works to boost your skincare effectiveness by TWO TIMES! You’ve probably already got your basic skin care routine which is great for keeping good skin. But how many of you have heard or experienced the phenomenon where you need to change your skin care routine after several months because your skin “gets used” to the products? Well, I used to be one of those that had to switch my skin care routine every few months, and now I have a whole cupboard full of half-used skin care products.

The problem lies not in the products you use, but really at the heart of our genes. Scientists have discovered the “recovery gene” in the our skin ages with time and in youthful skin, the recovery gene absorbs active ingredients and counter-responds to fatigue and stress up to five times faster than in mature skin. Ahhh.. Dont we all wish we could be forever young?

L'Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence Review

Looking back to my 2012 beauty resolutions, the L’Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence fits right in with focusing on anti-aging. I’m definitely giving this a shot. Pump one drop from the glass bottle and you’ll find the liquid is clear and of a runny consistency. Applying it my face and neck, I found that it dries, within a short span of about 15 seconds, clear to a non-sticky finish. You can, then, instantly use your favourite moisturiser over the boosting essence. The best part is, believe it or not, this nondescript liquid increases the performance of ALL types of skincare, whether it’s anti-aging, whitening or hydrating.

I put the L’Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence to the test by using it before my moisturiser and after a proper cleanse. It’s crucial to apply it before the last moisturising step as a booster is meant to help to prep skin to absorb the active ingredients in the following moisturiser or treatment cream. Since sleep is the best time for skin renewal, I slept in the L’Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence wanting to see the efficacy of this essence. Well, the results are in. The next day, I woke up to more luminous and plumped up skin! Visible results instantly! YAY!

L'oreal Youth Code Booster Essence

Compared to other essences from other major beauty brands, the L’Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essences comes at a steal of SGD $39.90 for a 30 ml bottle. One drop of the powerful essence gave me visible improvement in the softness and smoothness of my skin. I didnt even have to touch it to know it. I could see it.

If you’re going to get your bottle of L’Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence this month, you’re in for a treat. For the month of February, L’Oreal Paris is running a special promotion! You’ll be able to get your L’Oreal Paris moisturizer (be it Anti-Ageing, Whitening or Hydrating) at only $9.90 (usual: $25.90 – $29.90) when you purchase Youth Code Boosting Essence. $9.90! That’s ridiculously cheap! It’s time to stock up on your moisturisers cause the promotion ends 28th Feb, at selected retailers only.

You can also go to the L’Oreal Paris Facebook page to find out more and stand a chance to win a SGD50 Robinsons voucher! Seriously, it’s not often you see with the naked eye an immediate change in skin surface texture upon using a product. But this immediate result with the boosting essence only gets better with long-term use in conjunction with a regular skin care routine. One week of using the L’Oreal Youth Code Boosting Essence visibly improves the texture of your skin while continuing to one month of helps regain the youthfulness and radiance in your skin. Who says you cant reverse the hands of the clock? I most certainly want to look like Gong Li when I’m her age!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
No comments

31
Dec
2011

Synonymous with the trenchcoat, Burberry first made waves in the beauty scene when they launched the Burberry Body perfume with Rosie huntington-Whiteley as the body face behind the new women’s perfume.

Burberry Makeup Festive Collection Fall 2011

Now, this Fall/Winter 2011, they’ve brought in the Burberry Beauty line to Singapore. Yes, you heard that right, Burberry makeup. On top of being decked out in their iconic trench coats, fans of Burberry can now match their outfits with a Burberry Festive Look makeup.

Burberry Makeup Lip Glow

Of the new items in the Burberry Beauty makeup collection, I thought the Burberry Lip Glow (SGD $39) was something unique. Isnt the iconic Burberry print on the lipstick itself so chic! To the naked eye, the Lip Glow looks like a lipstick and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was one.

Burberry Makeup Lip Glow Swatches

But upon swatching the three new trench colour inspired colours – (L-R) Bright Plum, Ruby and Nude Gold, you’ll realise the Lip Glow’s texture is slightly sheerer and clearer than your regular lipstick. Light oils in the Burberry Lip Glow give it fluidity and a smoother and slicker application compared to the usual lipstick. It also reflects light to create the illusion of fuller lips, at the same time leaving lips supple and shimmering with natural highlights.

Burberry Makeup Singapore

What really strikes me about the Burberry Beauty make up collection is the very stylish packaging of all their products. Everything, from their eyeshadows, lip products and even foundation, is encased in a metallic grey casing with the signature Burberry checkered print. Definitely make up products you’d want to be seen with if you’re a fashionista clad in your favourite Burberry.

Burberry Make up Eyeshadow

They even make the effort to stamp the print onto their eyeshadows and lipsticks. I’m put in a spot now because I dont want to ruin the gorgeous print on the Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow (SGD $46) but love the fidelity of the colour and soft satin texture.

Burberry Makeup Foundation Review

I used the Burberry Beauty Sheer Foundation Luminous Fluid Foundation yesterday at a house party and thought the mid to heavy coverage of the foundation was a pleasant surprise considering how the foundation was fairly light on the skin. The texture is a lot more like mousse when pumped from the bottle even though it’s named “Fluid” foundation, but blends easily into a smooth and even finish and on top of that, gives a nice luminous look.

How many of you are Burberry fans? Will any of you be trying out this Burberry Beauty collection?

Burberry Beauty makeup can be found exclusively at TANGS Orchard Singapore.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
3
comments

19
Dec
2011

Beauty to me is about transformation and if you follow me on Twitter, you’ll see the various looks I change into from time to time. So, it is only with praises that I introduce the brand new repackaged Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume

The Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume, first introduced in 1989, is their classic, elegant signature fragrance. The Red Door is iconic of the first few “Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salons“ originally found in New York. Symbolically the red door represents the boundary where a woman can be transported and transformed from her “everyday self” to her “best self”, especially when she walked through the door way of the spas. Till today, at least 100 over years later, the famous Red Doors of Elizabeth Arden’s Spas can be seen along Fifth Avenue, in New York.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume

This change in packaging for their signature scent captures boldly the iconic Red Door. The Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume bottle has today been modernized using a bold red glass design to reflect what else… but the famous Red Door. I’m totally in love with the striking red glass bottle accentuated by the gold plate emblazoned with “Elizabeth Arden”.

The bold glass design naturally holds a bold, assertive floral fragrance that evokes glamour and confidence. It’s a strong scent for the woman who wants to take over the world. If you’re already a fan of Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door perfume, you wont need any introduction to this scent. It’s the same delicious fragrance you know in a striking new bottle.

But if you’re new, the Red Door perfume opens with Lily of the Valley in the top notes, alongside vibrant freesia and Wild Violets. The stunning mid notes are of Red Roses, Moroccan Orange Flower, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang to create the impression of sophistication. If you’re used to softer floral scents, this is a different scent you might consider adding to your perfume stash.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Perfume

So add to your perfume stash and transform yourself you can because here’s a giveaway for a 50ml Elizabeth Arden Red Door eau de toilette worth $84!

Follow these steps to qualify:
1) Go to Elizabeth Arden’s Facebook page and click “Like”
2) Post on the wall the answer to this question in this format:

The Elizabeth Arden Red Door perfume, first introduced in _ _ _ _, has now been repackaged in the shape of a _ _ _ _ _ _ _. [dweam.com]

3) Your answer must be in the exact format above and include dweam.com at the end.

All answers can easily be found in the blog post so read carefully. Contest ends 23rd December 2011 at 2200 hours, just in time for Christmas! Head on over to the Elizabeth Arden’s Facebook page now and good luck!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
No comments

15
Nov
2011

Update: Winners have been picked. Thank you everyone for participating!

With the end of the year holiday about a month away, I strongly believe there’s still time to write to Santa to tell him what I want in my Christmas stocking. I really do love the holiday sets that come out during this time of year. All the pretty bows and lovely wrapping, I adore receiving presents and tearing the wrapper off in a heartbeat. Everyone loves opening presents!

Since I cant have everything that gets my heart racing this Christmas, partially thanks to my already burgeoning make up stash, this Christmas Wish List series is the perfect excuse to ogle at the items that get me biting my lips.

Lancome Tresor

Following the success of Tresor and Tresor in Love women’s fragrances, Lancome introduces Tresor Midnight Rose with Emma Watson as the face of the fragrance. I havent followed the previous two fragrances but after experiencing all three perfumes, I’m quite sure that this is my favourite fragrance out of the Lancome Tresor threesome.

Emma Watson for Tresor Midnight Rose

With Emma Watson, my favourite Muggle, as the vivacious, spontaneous and romantic heroine of the Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose ad, I surrender. You’ve got my attention now Lancome.

Tresor Midnight Rose Lancome

Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose

In contrast to its sister fragrance Tresor in Love, the Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose bottle is a violet hue that is meant to represent the “most romantic hour, just before midnight, when magic tints the sky a violet hue”. I am bedazzled by the faceted bottle and diamond cut cap, perfectly accessorized by a satin nightime rose. A precious rose symbolizing passionate love.

When you take a closer look at the fragrance, you’ll realise the rose is an apt symbol for the Tresor fragrances. At the heart of all the Lancome Tresor fragrances is the signature sweet rose. In the Tresor Midnight Rose mix, however, you’ll first experience a sweet burst of raspberry and blackcurrant fruit before the rose, jasmine and peony reveal itself and leave cedar essence, vanilla and musk lingering on your skin.

Words aside, I like the fragrance. The first burst of sweetness will catch you a little bit off guard, just like how they described a spontaneous first love encounter. After surprising you, then comes the chase. It mellows and you long to catch a hint of the scent again. When you do, it’s fresh, sensual and leaves you wanting more. The Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose is definitely a unique fragrance. A few days after I was introduced to the scent, my nose caught whiff of someone using it next to me and I immediately identified it.

Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose

So, here’s the twist about this Christmas Wish List. Lancome has kindly offered to give away TWO 50ml bottles of Tresor Midnight Rose (worth $100 each) to two readers of this blog.

To win yourself a bottle of Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose perfume, you will need to submit a photo of yourself with your favourite PURPLE item. I’m actually wearing Deborah Lippmann’s Bad Romance nail polish in the above photo! Your photo should revolve around the theme of purple, romance, rose or the Emma Watson hat! It doesnt have to be too complicated or involve a purple beauty product. Purple bags, accessories, rose rings, hat hair clips are all welcome! Just show us how much you love purple!

Send your Tresor Midnight Rose photo with the subject “I Love Midnight Rose” to daydweam@gmail.com by 20th November 2200h. The TWO best photos will receive a 50ml Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose fragrance in their mail box via snail mail. Remember to include your name and use a working email.

Entries posted in the comment section do not qualify. The Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose contest is limited to Singaporean addresses ONLY. So what are you waiting for? Get creative!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
1
comment

14
Nov
2011

Remember there was a week I mentioned on Twitter that I was trying out various mascara bases for a review spot on Urban? It’s finally gone to press!

Urban Singapore Mascara Base Reviews

I used to use mascara bases (remember the time when mascara bases came with the mascaras on double ended tubes), but then stopped using them when I switched over to falsies. Now, it looks like bases are making a comeback again, especially since most are fortified with all sorts of nutrients, making them both a mascara base and an eyelash nourishing serum.

For instance, the Chanel Beaute De Cils Nourishing Mascara Base has meadowfoam oil bonded to silicon to give it repairing, strengthening and smoothing properties. The DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum & Primer is a nourishing serum treatment, with a unique cell-conditioning complex made up of hydrolyzed soy proteinson, on top of being a mascara base.

After trying 8 different mascara bases over the week, I swear my lashes have grown that teensy wee bit longer. Must be a combination of all the goodness from the different mascara bases. Yay! Although all of them performed particularly well, I did have my favourites. Can you guess which ones they were?

Click to enlarge
Mascara Bases Review

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
No comments

22
Oct
2011

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish Singapore

Deborah Lippmann nail polishes have always received lots of hype on the beauty blogs of both overseas and Singapore beauty bloggers. Now that Deborah Lippmann nail polishes are finally here on Singapore shores thanks to Luxola, anyone and everyone can finally get instant access to these delightful polishes with their next day delivery service.

Deborah Lippmann Nail Polishes

Unfortunately, I have no self-control when it comes to sparkly stuff. Just like the OPI Miss Universe collection and OPI Burlesque collection, I went nuts adding 4 new bottles of Deborah Lippmann nail polishes to my cart on top of already purchasing the Face Atelier Ultra Foundation.

Deborah Lippmann Red Ruby Slippers Swatch

Of the 3 Deborah Lippmann glitter polishes I bought, Red Ruby Slippers has probably got to be my favourite. With an obscene amount of large red sequin glitter and fine red glitter in a black jelly base, this nail polish makes you sit up and pay attention. Red and black is a fierce colour combination that you really cant argue with, but you’ll need at least 3 coats of nail polish before the translucent black base becomes opaque. You’ll also have enough glitter on your nails to rival Dorothy’s real red ruby slippers.

Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe Swatch

I decided to call this Deborah Lippmann nail polish the mermaid nail polish thanks to a comment a friend made when she saw the nails. “It looks like a mermaid!” she exclaimed. If you’re intending to dress up as a mermaid this upcoming Halloween, I would suggest using this on your nails. In fact, Across the Universe should really be renamed to Across the Ocean. With a mix of both blue AND green large hex glitter sequins in a black jelly base, they look like the scales on a beautiful mermaid swimming in the dark depths of the deep blue ocean.

Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance Swatch

Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance will definitely appeal to any Lady Gaga fan, although I cant say I went gaga over this colour. The large purple hex glitter and fine glitter doesnt stand out as much like its red counterpart, but the purple, nevertheless, is a cool colour to rock out to.

Deborah Lippmann Sarah Smile Swatch

Like the rest of the Deborah Lippmann lot, the lightest colour of the loot still needed a minimum of 3 coats to get the best colour payoff. Sarah Smile is Deborah Lippmann’s collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker to create what they call the “city’s sexiest pink”. It goes on sheer and is almost whitish at first glance, but build it up to at least 3 layers and you’ll find it a whitish-pink, pinkish-white or beige tone. Honestly, it doesnt matter what you call it, it’s an amazing and unique nude colour and I LOVE IT.

But it’s not just the colours that gets the nail addicts raving. What really sets these Deborah Lippmann nail polishes apart from the rest of the other nail polishes is the fact that the glitter polishes are so easy to remove. As much as I love glitter nail polishes, they are a b*tch to remove. I’m sorry. But I hated removing the OPI Burlesque collection from my nails. It even got to a point where I just wanted to peel the glitter off my nails.

Regardless of which glitter polish it was, the Deborah Lippmann nail polishes were painless to remove. You might have to use your nails to chip the bigger pieces of glitter off, but it didnt feel like it took Herculean effort to do so.

I am sold on Deborah Lippmann. I got a sneak preview of the nail polishes that Luxola is bringing in for the Christmas season and I cant wait to get my hands on them. Maybe Santa will be extra nice this year and throw them in alongside all the other goodies he’s bringing me.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Google Bookmarks
  • email
1
comment