Event: The Grand Bal Dior

Just received this in my mailer.....

It seems to me that Dior started to churn out palettes that resembles a clutch year after year during the festive season since 2009 or 2010. 

This year's palette, Palette Grand Bal Carnet de Maquillage seems to be a tad plain compared to last year's pastel garden theme. Gold, silver and red seems to dominate this season and its not difficult to see why.

And yes, Dior has a upcoming event at Intercontinental Hotel Singapore at Middle Road on 5th October, do rsvp by 24th September if you are interested. 

Review: Dior 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette Garden Edition in 441 Garden Pastels

This is the Spring collection that has been generating quite a buzz in the cyber beauty world long before it was even launched early Jan this year. Part of the buzz was contributed by the extent on how the rose mottifs in the eyeshadow palette were handcrafted and there are even pictures of the crafting processes posted online and of course, the striking colours in the collection as well as the perfumed nail polishes, not fogetting to mention the exquisite rose knob on the limited edition makeup clutches.

To be frank, i am seldom drawn to Dior's collection as i do feel that they are more suitable for beauties with cool colour skin tone and the fair ones. I am not surprised by the shade of the limited edition blusher that was launched in the spring collection- bright pastel pink, even though it was fused with the technology that upon application the blusher will appear just like how you are blushing naturally. I figure the technology would be similar to Dior Addict Lip Glow SPF 10 which i did a review of it previously.

Despite the technology used, the blusher did not work on me, i looked ashy so i figure there isn't anything for me in this collection looking at the swatches widely available online and testing on the various products in person.

The colours from the garden clutches looked a little similar to the ones released last year which i have both and looked like they can be duped, the nail polishes which i would love to love doesn't work on me (but they look gorgeous on my fair friend which is simply not fair : ( ), the limited edition blusher in the beautiful casing was calling out my name but the ashy colour on my cheeks made me unwilling to part with my dollars and the pretty Garden Roses Palette refuse to love me when i tried them on.....

Until when i swatched the Garden Pastels Eyeshadow palette....

I was deeply intrigued by the way-out-of-my- comfort zone colouring ( i am a neutral lover mainly), but the greens... the 2 greens are nothing that i have seen... i was sold on the spot.. almost.

I was about to walk away from it until by BBF (fellow skincare and cosmetic addict) dragged me back and told me that it will work on me, just that i have to be lighthanded with it and not to be ambitious to use all 5 colours in a look. What can i say, i feel that she knows me better than i know myself... after much contemplating, i hauled it, tucked safely in my bag cushioned in between stuffs.

 Dior's 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette Garden Edition.

 441 Garden Pastels.

 The Classic Dior compact.

 441 Garden Pastels.

  A Closer look.

441 Garden Pastels without the plastic lid.

More of it.

 Swatches under normal light, photo taken near the window at noon.

Swatches: Top left to right, centre then bottom left to right.

Photo of swatches taken indoor.

In terms of packaging, this limited edition eyeshadow palette was packaged in the classic Dior compact, and the standard 5 colour eyeshadow palette placement which isn't any different from its normal eyeshadow palette thus lacking the WOW factor that i would have expected from a limited edition (same case as Chanel's), a subtle difference like motiffs or even colouring would have made one drawn more towards it (yeah, i am referring to me).

I do not detect any hint of fragrance from the eyeshadows..so far so good. What's the use of perfuming eyeshadows anyway right?

Next, the eyeshadows are nicely pigmented (which is supposed to be so at this price point) and one can easily layer on to build up intensity but they are such lovely light spring colours i wouldn't try to wear them heavily layered on. A touch of subtly would be a nice touch, i personally think. The swatches above are taken with just 1 brush of colour.

In terms of texture, it is a absolute delight in swatching and application, it glides on buttery smooth. The colours however are nicely shimmery and with a little frost to them, having said that i would wear them lighthanded (as my BBF suggested) and with other matte colours or just 2 or 3 colours each time.

As for the colour combination of the palette, they are totally different from anything that i have owned or seen and nothing can represent spring better than them. The light yellow grassy green at the top left corner wow me as it is so vibrant and alive in real life swatch, the white at the top right corner is versatile and nicely pigmented which would not be difficult to use, the light pastel pink in the middle has a very very subtle hint of lavender to me, it is not terribly unique but a nice colour to work on (especially on fair beauties, i just use it nevertheless). The buttery yellow at the bottom left turns out to be a little like very pale gold on me when i use it with a lighthand so i figure its good as a highlighter for eyes and lastly the cool blue toned green with a hint of silver shimmer at bottom right is a unique colour that turned out quite well for me as well.

All in all, i love it. With the exception of the horrid pricing.... Its only USD59.00. Why such high markup? 

Priced at S$94.99 for 4.8g or 0.15oz, available at all Dior Counters. It is a limited edition..... as so get it before its gone.



Review: Dior Addict Lip Glow SPF 10 vs Nivea Soft Rose Lip Balm

There are days when i just want to get out of the house without any makeup on me yet i do want those naturally soft looking lips with a subtle hint of healthy pink.

Well, what's a gal gonna do?

I got to know about Dior Addict Lip Glow (lipbalm) when i was accompanying my close GF on her quest for the perfect liquid foundation and as she found her HG foundation, i found mine too......

Weeks later, when i was almost 1/2 way through the tube of Lip Glow and pondering if i should purchase a backup, i found Nivea's Soft Rose lipbalm which also gives a tinge of pink and moisturiser your lips at the same time.

I did a comparison between the 2 of them, sort of a high-end vs drugstore match.

Here we go......

Nivea Soft Rose Lipbalm.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Awakening Lipbalm SPF 10.

Nett weight: 4.8 g

Nett weight: 3.5 g

Nivea Soft Rose Lipbalm.

Dior Addict Lip Glow.

T-B: Dior Addict Lip Glow, Nivea Soft Rose.

L-R: Dior Addict Lip Glow, Nivea Soft Rose.

L-R on paper: Dior Addict Lip Glow, Nivea Soft Rose.

Packaging:

Dior's Lip Glow definitely has my vote in this area, the transparent light pink cover and the silver knot looks pretty on the dresser, in the bag and just anywhere else compared to Nivea's utilitarian look which serves its very basic purpose (the pink rose motifs printed added points in this area).

Scent:

Dior's Lip Glow has a subtle sweet and slightly minty smell, whereas Nivea's Soft Rose possesses a bubblegum-like or candy-like sweet scent. Personally, i lean more towards Dior's Lip Glow where scent is concerned.

Application:

Although the 2 are supposed to give my lips a healthy pinkish look, i would say they are so alike (function-wise) and yet so difference (performance-wise).

Upon application, Dior's Lip Glow gives my lips a flush of pink with a hint of red in it, as well as a shiny sheen that is quite similar to lipstick with very sheer coverage. On the otherhand, Nivea's Soft Rose gave a barely there hint of pink which is not noticeable unless you are under close scrutiny.

The difference between the 2 might not appear obvious in the pictures above, but in real life on the lips one can see the difference instantly. On the paper, one can notice that the tone of pink is different, Dior's being the warmer pink and Nivea's is cooler.

I have to cast my vote to Dior's Lip Glow as i have gotten many compliments from friends and colleagues, sadly none when i am wearing Nivea's Soft Rose. Apart from the differences above, Nivea's Soft Rose does not contain any sun protection (Dior's Lip Glow has SPF 10).

Price: Dior's Lip Glow contains 3.5g or 0.12oz of the product for S$40.00 vs Nivea's Soft Rose which contains 4.8g or 0.16oz of product for S$3.50 which works out to:

Dior's Lip Glow: S$40.00/3.5g=S$11.40 per gram

Nivea's Soft Rose: S$3.50/4.8= S$0.73 per gram

which makes Dior approximately 15 times more expensive than Nivea.

Now for the million $ question, who won and will i repurchase it when i am done with the tube i have currently?

Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Awakening Lipbalm wins hands down with only one downfall which is its hefty price tag (which comes no surprise to anyone as we are talking about Christian Dior here), lesser product and that it doesn't take long to finish a tube (about 2 to 3 months with daily usage).

Like it enough to repurchase?

Yes, when i am feeling rich or when i felt like pampering myself (that happens alot : ))

Dior Addict Lip Glow Colour Awakening Lipbalm SPF 10

Main Ingredient (active): Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) 7.5%

Other Ingredients: C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Dissostearyl Malate, Bis-diglyeryl Polyacyladipate-2, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl lauroyl Glutamate, Synthetic Beewax, Dimer Dilinoleyldimer, Dilinoleate, Octyldodecanol, Ozokerite, Ethylhexyl palmitate.

Priced at S$40.00 for 3.5g or 0.12oz (available at all leading Departmental Stores).

Nivea Soft Rose Lipbalm

Main Ingredients: Apologies, i threw the packaging away before i remember. : (

Priced at S$3.50 for 4.8g or 0.16oz (available at major drugstores and supermarkets).

Ghost of Christmas Past- Christian Dior Limited Edition Collection

It's that time of the year again......

Ho! Ho! Ho! Do you hear the Christmas bells ringing closer and closer to you as the days pass?

Well, i did and was deeply reminded of it whenever the urge is here to possess the simply-too-gorgeous-to-resist collectibles are churned out by various cosmetic brands during this time of the year....

As usual, i found myself falling for the trap year after year (though i would say i am more selective nowadays : ) ) ...... this year is no exception.

Please welcome warmly Dior Minaudieres to family of "Limited Edition & Collectibles".....

L-R: Grey Gold 001 and Pink Gold 002.

The treasure within.

Treasure revealed in its glory. : )

L-R: Grey Gold 001 and Pink Gold 002

The Grey Gold is a complusive buy but i do not regret the purchase at all (eventhough my pocket is still sizzling with smoke from the purchase- a hefty S$100.00 for the palette). The colours are practical and i would say i will get quite a lot of wear out of it.

Just as i was contemplating if i should close both eyes bravely and take the plunge to get the Pink Gold Palette too (both palettes look absolutely gorgeous to me).... my dearest group of BFFs actually chip in and get that for me as my belated Birthday present. : ) Thank you gals.

Grey Gold 001 (seems to be a Sak's exclusive in the States)

Colours from L-R: Charcoal Grey, Light Silverish Grey and Light Yellow with Gold shimmer.

The Clever touch- a lid that prevents the eyeshadows from getting into the lipglosses.

L-R(Lip colours from Grey Gold 001): Lip colour in deep burgundy red-purple with gold shimmer, Lip gloss in light vanilla with gold shimmer.

Pink Gold 002

Colours from L-R: Deep Maroon red-purple, Light Taupe-Beige and Light Pink (all with gold shimmer, especially obvious in the Light Pink eyeshadow).

L-R(Lip colours from Pink Gold 002): Medium tone Bright Pink with a little red in it, Light Pale Pink (all with gold shimmer).

As i was going through my treasures, i realised that i actually started collecting Dior's LEs way back 3 to 4 years ago.... wow!

Cristal Boreal Crystal gloss Jewel from 2009.

The luxurious packaging.

The beautiful crystals on the pendant.

The white silverish lip gloss (it is actually transparent upon application, just a hint of shimmer on the lips).

Lady Dior Radiant Couture Touch-up for Face, Checks and Lips from 2007.

The velvet pouch that house the hefty "bag".

Love this, love this, love this....

Versatile colours to be used as highlighter, blusher and lipcolours.

A closer look.

What can i say?

But to proclaim myself as a victim of gorgeous collectibles (i know i can't sleep and will keep on thinking about the lovelies if i don't lay my hands on them..)

Oh well.... this is my vice.

What's yours? : )

Review: Christian Dior Cannage Color Collection Eye Palette

I have always been wanting to own a Christian Dior Eye palette, especially having read raves on their silky smooth texture and good color payoffs. The higher end price point is one of the main factor that is stopping me from trying it out for myself (even though the swatches that i did at Dior's counter managed to tempt me quite a few times).

Thanks to my sister, who is a frequent traveler, she managed to snag a Dior palette from the Cannage Color Collection at an irresistable price of S$69 for 8 eye colors and 2 double end applicators. This palette is a Krisflyer exclusive, meaning it will not be released to the Dior counters in town.

Krisflyer Exclusive @ S$69.oo

Purple patent leather with Signature Cannage stitching

Colors that are versatile for day and night

A closer look at the colors

Swatches from bottom row left to right then top row left to right (no flash)

Swatches from bottom row left to right then top row left to right (with flash)

I am not too sure of Dior's color numbering, according to the label at the back of the palette, the palette is made up of the following colors:

1. 3 Eyeshadows from 1 couleur - 965 - 005 - 515

2. 3 Eyeshadows from Couleurs Iridescent - 929 - 822 - 682

3. 2 Eyeshadows from 5 Couleurs - 096 - 194

The eye colors swatches beautifully and Dior's eye colors truly live up to its name/rave from the reviews in various forums. I can foresee myself succumbing to the temptation of future Dior eye palettes release.

Main Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Nylon-12, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Triethoxycaprylysilane, Tocopherol.