2015 @cosme Best New Makeup Award (Cosmetics)

At last, the new colour cosmetics ranking.

on top of the @cosme annual ranking (which i've wrote about in a separate entry), @cosme also released a biannual best new makeup awards. it is given to new products that have been released in the past 6+ months. i think they should just name it "best new comer award" to avoid any confusion with their annual ranking (which surveys all products regardless of release dates). in other words, only good products that are newly released can make it into this list.

finally, after writing about best new skin care and best new base makeup, here comes the best new colour cosmetics.

the overall winner for the best new makeup is the maquillage dramatic rouge.

GRAND PRIZE

MAQUillAGE | dramatic rouge

a sheer lipstick that creates lady like lips, it is formulated with moisturizing oils that not only keep your lips kissable and pouty, but it also hugs your lips tightly without the sticky feeling.

BEST EYESHADOW

first place

JILL STUART | ribbon couture eyes

the smooth texture creates puppy eyes that captivates a lady.

second place

LUNASOL | tender clear eyes

third place

AUBE COUTURE | bright up eyes

BEST EYELINER

first place

FLOW FUSHI | mote liner liquid takumi

helps you get that perfect fine eyeliner easily.

second place

HEROINE MAKE | smooth liquid liner super keep

third place

K PALETTE | real lasting eye liner 24h waterproof

BEST MASCARA

first place

RMK | W colour mascara

an exquisite two-tone mascara for a true mascara lover. add sophistication to your eyes.

second place

CANMAKE | flaring curl mascara

BEST LIPSTICK

first place

MAQuiiAGE | dramatic rouge

long lasting hydration and shine.

second place

COSME DECORTE | AQMW rouge glow

third place

COFFRET DOR | premium stay rouge

BEST LIPGLOSS

first place

CANMAKE | your lips only gloss

the lightly tinted gloss has an ever changing colour that adds some fun into the makeup process.

second place

INTEGRATE | girl's kiss jelly

third place

YSL BEAUTE | volupte tint in oil

BEST BLUSHER

first place (also the grand prize winner)

MAQuillAGE | dramatic mood veil

the glowy powder enhances your skin while adding more dimension to your face. perfect for achieving a natural looking flush of colour on your cheeks.

second place

GUERLAIN | meteorite perles de blush

(limited edition)

third place

ETTUSAIS | heart cheek colour

just want to have note down my own two cents: there's a good mixture of high end brands and drugstore brands here. even though these products are newly released, i think beauty companies are running out of ideas and innovations because it's basically the same thing being washed and repackaged over and over. i probably expected too much, since this is supposed to be a ranking of good makeup products that are newly released, which doesn't necessarily mean it has to be completely new idea.

Sigma Unboxing (Brushes and Make Up)

Beauty Delivery To My Doorstep This Week

i guess if you are a beauty freak like me, sigma wouldn't be foreign to you.

full disclosure: i recently joined their affliate program! as a result, i was sent a welcome package. i've always heard so much good stuff about sigma, but the price tag really stopped me from venturing into their brushes. moreover, they're made from natural hair, something i'm not very confident of maintaining. now i have a chance to try them out before deciding if i want to invest in more of their products.

read on for a 10% coupon code!

since i can't do videos yet, the next best thing to an unboxing video is an unboxing entry.


i was surprised with a splash of hot pink after i opened the black box.
speaking of inner wildness!
all the goodies are wrapped in black paper.


i was sent the sigma spa express brush cleaning glove, a set of brushes and cosmetics, and a little gift for joining the affliate program.


a closer look at the brushes and cosmetic products (from left to right):

powder blush (heavenly)
eye shadow (notre dame)
lip base (indulgent)

3DHD kabuki brush
3DHD precision brush

buff and blend E39
medium sweeper E54
eye shading E55

(this mini size brush is a beauty affliate special i think? it looks so cute!)

i did a quick swatch of the lip base and eye shadow, and i am surprised at how smooth and even the lip base is. the pinkish brown/coral/nude shade is a winner for me :)


wearing the sigma lip base in indulgent.

the eye shadow is kind of a mysterious colour to me as i do not know how to describe it just yet. once i'm able to swatch them on my skin, i will.


pray hard that my skin will heal really soon so that the swatches can be up here ASAP! currently working on some first impression blog entries which should be up in the coming weeks :D

from now till the end of september 2015, you can use the code INNOVATINGBEAUTY to get 10% off your orders!

2015 @cosme Best New Makeup Award (Base Make Up)

Here comes the base make up products!

on top of the @cosme annual ranking (which i've wrote about in a separate entry), @cosme also released a biannual best new makeup awards. it is given to new products that have been released in the past 6+ months. i think they should just name it "best new comer award" to avoid any confusion with their annual ranking (which surveys all products regardless of release dates). in other words, only good products that are newly released can make it into this list.

in this entry, i've compiled the list of base makeup products. you can read about the best new skin care ranking in a separate entry. as you will see, there isn't much new innovation when it comes to base makeup. i don't even see a category for concealers!

BEST POWDER FOUNDATION

first place

MAQuillAGE | dramatic powder UV

lightweight and fluffy like mousse, the powder creates good skin that look so good, people may think it's your own skin.

second place

EST | powder foundation silky smooth

third place

ONLY MINERALS | premium foundation

BEST LIQUID FOUNDATION

first place

LANCOME | blanc expert liquid

the perfect foundation to help your makeup last the entire day!

second place

BOBBI BROWN | intensive skin serum foundation SPF40 (PA++++)

third place

DHC | Q10 moisture care liquid foundation EX

BEST SETTING POWDER

first place
GUERLAIN | meteorites compact

the powder that enhances your skin is finally here.

second place

DIOR | diorskin nude air loose powder

third place

DHC | Q10 moisture care face powder EX

BEST BB CREAM

first place

BIORE | sara sara aqua rich BB essence

effectively blocks out UV rays while camouflaging your skin for a natural look.

second place

PRIOR | BB gel cream

third place

YSL BEAUTE |  forever light creator SPF50

BEST CC CREAM

first place

JILL STUART | airy tint watery CC cream

can be used on its own to create a long lasting pure skin effect. covers all types of blemishes effortlessly.

second place

CHANEL | CC cream SPF50

third place

LANCOME | city miracle CC cream

omitted in this entry are the makeup primers, which you can see for yourself by click on the link!

most of the products in the ranking are from the higher end brands, i think it's a smart choice to invest in better base products since we use them over a wider surface area!

2015 @cosme Best New Makeup Award (Skin Care)

Let's talk about skin care first.

on top of the @cosme annual ranking (which i've wrote about in a separate entry), @cosme also released a biannual best new makeup awards. it is given to new products that have been released in the past 6+ months. i think they should just name it "best new comer award" to avoid any confusion with their annual ranking (which surveys all products regardless of release dates). in other words, only good products that are newly released can make it into this list.


there several categories, i'll be focusing on the skin care ranking in this entry.

BEST TONER

first place

LANCOME | blanc expert essence lotion

a toner that acts like a serum, it brightens the skin and is extremely moisturizing.

second place

ATTENIR | dress lift lotion

third place

FRESHEL | lotion (moist) N

BEST SERUM/BOOSTER

first place

FRESHEL | skin freshener

effective mist that draws moisture from the surrounding towards your skin, perfect for combating dryness during day time.

second place

BENEFIQUE | white retinol essence

third place

CHANEL | hydra beauty micro serum

BEST LOTION

first place

MINON | aminomoist moisture milk

highly moisturizing without the thick or sticky feeling.

second place

ATTENIR | dress lift day emulsion

third place

COSME DECORTE | cellgenie emulsion white ER (more moist type)

BEST SUNSCREEN

first place

ALLIE | extra UV gel (mineral moist neo)

although it has a very high SPF, the gel is extremely lightweight and is very waterproof.

second place

BIORE | aqua rich watery essence

third place

JILL STUART | relax aqua chiffon protector N

i didn't write about face wash, cream, and lip care as most of the products look really foreign to me. you can check out the ranking by clicking on the respective words!

i really want to get my hands on the freshel skin freshener mist. they're just an all rounder - hydrating, preps your skin for makeup, and sets your makeup. i hope the mist is fine enough, that will be the most important factor in determining how good it really is.

MAJOLICA MAJORCA Summer 2015 New Items

The new items tell you something about the trend.


new items from majolica majorca, as seen from their official website! from the looks of it, you can probably tell what trend they're going after.

did you guess it correctly? it's the natural makeup trend, thanks to korean influences!
if i were to come up with a keyword for this trend, it'd be "translucent". afterall, summer is all about clear skin and barely there makeup, right?

here's what majolica majorca has to offer this summer. most items are limited in number, but i believe they'll make a come back if sales are good :)

NUDE MAKE GEL (FOUNDATION, MAKEUP BASE, CONCEALER) SPF30 PA+++ | 1300 YEN

a gel that transforms into a lotion upon touching your skin, this moisturizing lotion will cover up any slight blemishes naturally to give you a no makeup look. can be used as a foundation, make up base, or a concealer.

LASH SECRET LONG (LIMITED) | 1200 YEN

can be used as both a mascara base and a top coat, the black extension fibre in the clear base will lengthen your lashes naturally and secretly. waterproof formula means your lashes will stay curled all day!

this is very similar to their lash bone black fibre in, the only visual difference i can observe now is the different comb brush. if you're confused about majolica majorca mascaras, i've got a comparison chart in this entry!

BLOOD ON (LIMITED) | 950 YEN

japanese are all about multi function products ever since the success of visee's cream blusher, which doubles up as a lip tint as well! blood on gives you a clear reddish veil on your cheeks and lips, just what it takes to fake that natural flush.

HONEY PUMP GLOSS NEO (LIMITED) | 480 YEN

2 new limited colours - red and orange - will help you create the perfect no makeup makeup look! the thick gloss is formulated with royal honey EX, moisturizing your lips while plumping them up with volume at the same time. 

the only thing that caught my attention is their beautiful packaging. i particularly like the gold on white packaging of the blood on blusher/lip tint. i am inclined to try the nude make gel some day, after i run out of my current foundation perhaps?

what about you?

5 Award Winning KATE Products You Must Try

Here comes my favourite brand.

how can i write about @cosme award winning canmake products and forget about kate, my favourite brand?
i'm once again referencing @cosme's ranking.

FYI, "ranking" refers to the most talked about ranking (by the community), while the best cosme award is an annual award carried out by @cosme editors. as much as i love kate, i'm surprised when i realize kate doesn't have too many award winning items as compared to canmake! so here are 5 items according to the popularity.

DESIGNING EYEBROW N | 1200 yen

this is probably japan's most loved eyebrow powder. kate was amongst the first to release a 3 shade brow product that provided everything you need to get perfect brows AND a contoured nose. the eyebrow powder managed to stay on my face without special priming or whatsoever throughout the day (unless i wipe it off with a tissue). sweat resistant, probably a little oil resistant too. the powder is extremely versatile and can be used as a matte eyeshadow as well. this is one of my absolute favourites from kate (for swatches and my full review on the designing eyebrow N, click here). the dual sided brush that comes with the powder is great for shading the nose. the angled brow brush is too soft for my liking, but it does the job nonetheless.

it's a pity it only comes in two shades of colour, EX-4 is slightly lighter and more yellowish, while EX-5 is a little darker and tends towards reddish brown. i wish they came out with an ashy/greyish brown that's more neutral and natural.

EYEBROW PENCIL N | 700 yen

with a 1.5mm lead, you won't have to worry looking like crayon shin chan after all your hard work. this would be perfect for sketching the end of the brow which is preferred to be slightly skinny. i haven't tried this before, but my friend has and she said the hard lead is able to deposit just the right amount of product on her skin, giving her natural looking brows. it's been said to be sweat resistant by peer reviews on @cosme!

comes in a wide selection of 7 colours.

LASH MAXIMISER | 1200 yen

this may be a life saver for peeps with short lashes. used as a base coat, it can lengthen your lashes naturally with black fibres that look just like natural lashes. i have already added this to my to-buy list :D

comes in two shades, EX-1 are black fibres in a white base, while EX-2 contain black fibres in a black base.

BROWN SHADE EYES | 1600 yen

an eyeshadow trio that comes with an additional matte nose contour powder. this series seems to be more popular in china than in japan. i've seen reviews praising the quality of these shadows and how buttery they are. i believe they're best applied with fingers. setting the boring colour selection aside (as kate always recycles their colour palettes), i'm going to get this palette nonetheless because there is one colour variation that caught my eyes. :D

comes in 6 colours, except for BR-6 which is matte/satin, all other shades are shimmery/metallic.

SUPER SHARP LINER A | 1000 yen

as the name suggest, it's a super sharp liner that delivers jet black ink. this used to be called super sharp liner S, and it was a cult favourite years ago. i've tried this before, i like that the ink dries to a matte finish, and that it really lasted all day on my lids on a hot sunny day even without priming my eyes with any powder products. however, it stained my lids, something i'm not too happy about.

comes in 3 colours.

you can read my full review and see my swatches of the super sharp liner here.

IN CONCLUSION
i have confessed my love for kate many times. most of the award winning products are for the eyebrow, i believe most japanese girls go to kate for their brow products? personally, i have 5 eyeshadow palette from kate and i love them all.

while i really love the eyebrow powder, i didn't agree with the number 2 spot the super sharp eyeliner got. i don't agree with the ranking everytime.

if there's one thing the @cosme ranking does, it's to add more items to my "to-buy" list. to be fair, they also give me a rough gauge of how good a product is before i buy. call it my form of market research :P


image credit: all images adapted from @cosme and kate official site.

5 Outfits To Try This Summer

Be Summer Ready With Me!

i'm very inspired after flipping through some japanese magazines, so i put together some outfit ideas, hopefully it'll give you some inspiration to spruce up your outfits this summer!

-ONE-

WHITE ON WHITE

summer isn't just about neon colours! pair a loose white with white boyfriend jeans if you're not afraid of dirtying them. put on some brightly coloured accessories such as the bold statement necklace to create a focal point for the look. you can choose any colour as the focal colour (since every colour goes with white). i opted for one single focal colour and went for a striking hot pink for bags and makeup to tie the look together.

-TWO-

CASUAL SUNDAYS

bust out your slip-ons as they're back in fashion. even if they're not in trend, the shoes goes so perfectly with rolled up jeans anyway! pairing a cropped top with a loose flannel will keep you warm and tone down the sexiness of the cropped top. the focus of this look is obviously the futuristic metallic bag and shoe. small handbags are perfect for days when you just need to carry your lip gloss and some money with you. colour block orange with cyan for an added flavour of summer to the otherwise colour neutral look.

-THREE-

DRESSY FLORALS

summer is the best time to experiment with bold prints. i used the floral skirt as the main focus and build the look around it, hence the understated striped top. as the skirt is already so colourful, i kept the colour of bags and accessories to a single colour so as to not draw attention away too much. jewelleries are kept to a minimum because the shoes are already such an attention seeker.

-FOUR-

TIME MACHINE

i drew a lot of reference to the 90s for this look - the cropped top, high waisted denim shorts, platform shoes, heart shaped sunglasses, and the iconic choker. i replaced oversized blousons with a floral kimono to soften the look a little. in my mind, the perfect makeup that will go so well with this look is a clean face with simple black cat liner and red lips.

-FIVE-

BOHO CHIC

this look was inspired by the coachella music festival from a while ago. off shoulder fluffy tops are the epitome of coachella i guess! pair it with denim shorts and converse for a more urban feel. i always link orange to summer, probably because it reminds me of sun kissed cheeks. complete the look with a pair of sunnies and a black bucket bag, it ups the boho factor.

BEFORE I END

style 2 is probably closest to my personal style since i'm more casual. i would love to try style 4 and 5, and i will definitely wear style 3 to my girlfriend's wedding. style 1 looks really good on magazines, but it irks me to think of how easily i'll attract stains, so it's a no go for me.

which would you like to try?