theNotice

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Cleansing Oil review, photos | Unmask Limited Edition

January 28, 2013

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The product: shu uemura ultime8 sublime beauty cleansing oil (unmask edition packaging)

The collection

To celebrate a classic (and one that’s been on shelves for 46 years, at that!), shu uemura have released their top-selling cleansing oil in limited edition “unmask” packaging — a far cry from the minimalist bottles in the permanent range.

From left to right, we have the ultim8 cleansing oil (reviewed here), the fresh pore clarifying gentle cleansing oil (for pore concerns), the high performance balancing cleansing oil (for all skin types), the cleansing beauty oil premium A/O (for ageing skin), and finally, the whitefficient clear gentle cleansing oil (for brightening).

ultim8 cleansing oil

Created to target global skin concerns, the ultim8 cleansing oil is something of the crème de la crème of cleansing oils. Its eight oils are infused with botanical ingredients to fight any of the skin concerns you may have, and shu uemura describe it as a “cashmere-like cocooning oil.”

I’ve tried two of shu’s cleansing oils so far (the other was their A/O formula), and this one has been my favourite. Lighter than the A/O while still feeling comforting and a little weighty, I much prefer the scent of this one — and, of course, its cleansing powers don’t disappoint.

As a blogger, one of the things I struggle with the most is getting super-pigmented swatches off of my forearms on swatch days. It doesn’t sound like much of a feat, but trust me: with very pale, dry skin, my arms pick up colour like crazy.

Cleansing oils aren’t my favourite way to remove makeup from my arms (you need a sink, and I’ve yet to find one that’s truly cost-effective), but when I have a lot of products to go through in very little time, the shu oils have been my go-to. Without even needing a cleansing cloth to scrub with, they remove product more quickly and gently than anything else I own — including bi-phase makeup removers and micellar waters!

Keep reading! »

Tags: shu uemura cleansing oil/Cleansing, Cleansing oils, Fall/Winter 2012, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, shu uemura, Silicone-free, Skincare, Spring/Summer 2013

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Balenciaga Paris L’Eau Rose | On Our Radar

January 27, 2013

Rae Chen

6 Comments

As I’m sure you all know by now, I’m a huge fan of the Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum (review here; seen also here and here). With key notes of violet and patchouli, it’s a dreamy, fresh-cut scent with a smooth, grounded base — particularly as a scent from a fashion house, this 2010 Olivier Polge creation always takes me by surprise.

Balenciaga L’Eau Rose EdT, the second flanker in this line, comes out everywhere March 2013 (though it’s already available at Nordstrom). Described as a “sparkling violet fragrance” with notes of blackberry and musk, I’m a little concerned (does that not sound like your typical celeb perfume?), but I’m curious to smell this one in person!

[I’m a little less sold on the bottle, though — I feel almost as if the matte black top and airy rose base glass are a little too discordant, but think I’ll have to see if it fits the olfactory aesthetic first.]

Tags: /Fragrance, New This Week (& etc), Spring/Summer 2013

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Tips for Beauty Bloggers | Don’t forget about colour management!

January 24, 2013

Rae Chen

25 Comments

Did you know that around 35% of computer users browse the internet on Chrome? And in some cases, of that 35%, exactly zero are viewing the same image that you spent so long getting internet-ready: Chrome doesn’t fully colour manage, and there’s no add-on or extension you can download to get it to do so.

Above image: a Chrome-friendly rendition of YSL’s Spring creme blushers

Below image: what happened the first time I uploaded this image to theNotice!

There’s no perfect fix for this problem, I’m afraid, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind. Colour management lets users see more or less the same colours in an image despite differences in colour profiles, devices, etc., so when a fair few of your readers are seeing something totally different from what you’re seeing —

Well, you might want to double-check your colour settings when you save!

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P.S. This is a great page for checking your browser for colour-management!

Tags: /Beauty blogging, Photoshop and photos

25 Comments

YSL Arty Stone (Spring Look 2013) | Collection Overview & Preview

January 22, 2013

Rae Chen

15 Comments

With a pretty serious cold (the kind of serious wherein the cold virus means business, not the kind where it glares grumpily at everything ~~though that, too~~) and spotty sunlight at best, my progress photographing and testing out the new YSL Arty Stone collection is plodding along pretty slowly.

Here’s a collection overview to get you started — I’m most excited to test out the Rouge Pure Couture Vernis à Lèvres in Pêche Cerra-Colla, Volupté Sheer Candy in Framboise Craquante, and the Crème de Blush formula. While I’m not much of a nail girl, La Laque Couture in both Jade Impérial and Bronze Pyrite will be coming up as well!

On counters this January & online now at Nordstrom, for those of you who’d rather not venture out into the cold.

The inspiration

Gems fascinate with their magnetic beauty and their mysterious power of attraction. The Spring Look 2013 is a palette of mineral and crystalline colors, inspired by the brilliance of precious stones.

“After an acid pop trend in 2012, the Spring Look 2013 is a return to calm. I wanted a palette of colours in halftones, pastel but intense, fresh and powdery, almost milky. To use as a play of harmonies for a chic Parisian look or contrasted to show-off a rock attitude.”

–Lloyd Simmonds, Creative Director Make-up Yves Saint Laurent Beauté

The collection

Y Facettes Palettes

Face Collector Palette, limited edition ($70 CAN)

Eye Collector Palette (Pure Chromastics No. 14), limited edition ($74 CAN)

Volupté Sheer Candy ($38.00 CAN)

No. 11 Frosted Mint, limited edition UK exclusive

No. 12 Tasty Raspberry, new permanent shade

No. 13 Griotte Mocha, new permanent shade

Rouge Pure Couture Vernis à Lèvres ($34.00 CAN)

No. 27 Pêche Cerra-Colla, new permanent shade

No. 28 Grenat Acrylique, new permanent shade

No. 29 Rose Forreau, limited edition

No. 30 Mauve Fusain, limited edition

Crème de Blush ($52.00 CAN)

No. 7 Rose Quartz, new permanent shade

No. 8 Red Agate, new permanent shade

No. 9 Baby Doll, new permanent shade

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Spring/Summer 2013, Teasers, Yves Saint Laurent / YSL

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Playing with textures | A violet-eyed makeup look done entirely with cream products

January 21, 2013

Rae Chen

32 Comments

I love playing with different textures when it comes to my makeup, but it’s not a regular thing for me — I have a set few products that I use all the time (mainly powders), and I don’t really get much of a chance to work with other methods of delivery.

My sister, though, is hugely into creme products. Like, hugely-hugely. She has this weird–and notably false–preconception that the pigments in cream products will stick around for longer, but it means that her stash is easily 80% cremes.

Anyhow. For something a little different, I borrowed a couple of her favourite creme products (the Estée Lauder cream eyeshadow and Illamasqua blusher) and threw together a violet-eyed, neutral-cheeked look.

For the full tutorial, don’t miss this post on She Said Beauty!

The eyes

For the eye, I started with a base of Estée Lauder Ivory Lace (the ShadowCremes are being discontinued; try something like MAC Bare Study instead), added Ellis Faas Light in E304 to the outer half of the lid, then layered Clinique Lid Smoothie in Born Freesia overtop in the centre. And it… went actually horribly, to be honest.

I’ve never tried to layer one of the Lights before; I will never try to layer one of the Lights ever again.

(Actually, now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure I’ve come to this conclusion before. Anyone else find that Ellis products are glorious only if used without a primer underneath?)

I don’t know if it was the layering or the blending, but — never; never again. Fingers or brushes didn’t matter; drying time didn’t matter… again and again, I ended up with flaky bits of fallout and an increasing amount of eye irritation.

To get around this, I actually mixed the two violets on the back of my hand & applied. It went really well, surprisingly — E304 added an intensity that Born Freesia doesn’t usually have, but the texture of the Lid Smoothie was maintained and led to a really easy, smooth application.

The escapades continue »

Tags: /4. Makeup looks, Clinique, Ellis Faas, Estee Lauder, Eyes, Illamasqua, Indie brands, Korres, Lancome, Makeup looks: colour, Urban Decay

32 Comments

Adele at the 70th annual Golden Globes: not Ellie Goulding; still pretty awesome.

January 18, 2013

Rae Chen

2 Comments

So, I’ve been seeing this guy who thinks–actually thinks, not a word of a lie–that Adele and Ellie Goulding are the same person, with like, different hair or under a different record label or something. I don’t even know.

The only explanation I can give you is that ridiculous music hipsters hate Billboard artists like beauty bloggers hate brands who don’t understand copyright law. It’s kind of the best thing.

Anyhow. Fun fact of the day, because I’m too feverish and disoriented to start covering Spring until next week (spoiler alert, it’s going to be an absolutely amazing season) — Adele showed up at the Globes last week with drugstore polish on her nails.

Shock and horror!

(Image courtesy Coty Canada)

Copy the look at home with a sheer coat of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in So Much Fawn topped with two coats of Copper Penny.

The Globes winner was wearing an additional topcoat to enhance the colour of Copper Penny, but you’ll just have to do without, I’m afraid: it was created exclusively for use at the Globes.

(I am secretly convinced that it was a reinforcing layer of vibranium covered in gold microparticles. Those ~~nails~~ talons are pretty hardcore; reinforced fingertips are totally the new exploding pen.)

Tags: /Celebrities, Nails

2 Comments

Clarins Rouge Eclat, Instagram, and Anastasia Bold & Beautiful | A brief update…

January 17, 2013

Rae Chen

14 Comments

I feel like I’ve managed to get away with surprisingly few “teaser” posts recently, but that is possibly just because I’ve been cheating & not posting at all. Either way, here’s a brief update on why there isn’t a proper post for today!

(But not an actual, proper post. Apologies.)

Clarins Rouge Eclat (Spring 2013)

Clarins Rouge Eclat Face Palette (Palette Eclat) & Rouge Eclat Lipstick (in Red Wine)

I wanted to have a teaser up for this today, but it just didn’t happen — I was up until three editing photos before I gave up and went to bed. I always overshoot collections (one of the main reasons why it takes me so long to get new material up on the blog), and the hundreds of images were just too overwhelming.

A snap review, though: Spring this year is going to be amazing. I am absolutely loving the bits of Clarins Rouge Eclat that I have on hand; from the gorgeous detailing, to the textures and pigment… the collection is quite impressive so far, even by Clarins’ own high standards.

[Finally] On Instagram: theNotice

No promises, but we’ll see how it goes. Follow here for early teasers, trivial updates, and the occasional makeup look/full-face swatch!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Bold & Beautiful Kit

Another “coming up”! I just got this one yesterday (haven’t even opened it up to swatch yet), but I am so smitten with the aesthetic — the entire concept is based around classic novels & book characters; how awesome is that?

Out next month (February 2013) as part of the brand’s Spring offerings.

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Have a wonderful Thursday, my dears!

Tags: Clarins Face & Blush Powder, Clarins Palette Eclat/Clarins, Product snapshots, Teasers, Uncategorized

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Lancôme x Alber Elbaz | Summer 2013

January 15, 2013

Rae Chen

4 Comments

(Adorable doodle credit Lancôme x Alber Elbaz, of course!)

This summer, Lancôme will be releasing a collection with renowned designer Alber Elbaz, artistic director at Lanvin (since 2001).

In the words of Youcef S. Nabi, the president of Lancôme, “his sense of luxury, his vision of femininity and that hint of audacity resonate perfectly with the new values of the Maison Lancôme.” This will be Elbaz’ first foray into make-up, despite his varied work in the fashion industry over the years.

The Lancôme x Alber Elbaz collection will launch June 2013 worldwide.

Tags: /Lancome, Spring/Summer 2013

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L’Occitane Magical Leaves Body Milk | A post-holiday review (& thoughts on uncooperative packaging)

January 14, 2013

Rae Chen

6 Comments

The product: L’Occitane Magical Leaves Body Milk

Last month, L’Occitane released two scents inspired by the enchanted forests of Provence to capture the magic of the season. Available in a number of formats, from eau de toilettes to shimmering dry oils, Marvellous Flowers and Magical Leaves were/are limited edition — my apologies for having gotten this review up so late.

While not readily available online, I did see these in-store earlier this month.

I’m actually quite fond of the Magical Leaves scent, but the packaging was such a turn-off. In a sentence: it quite literally took this body milk from the top of my “post immediately!” list to — well, to the middle of January.

The Body Milk has a good texture, sinking in quickly with light hydration and softly scented without too much throw. L’Occitane describes the fragrance as a (unisex) “zesty, mouthwatering composition,” with notes of verbena, hazel, citrus fruits, and vanilla — my nose doesn’t pick out any of the specifics, but it’s just… tasty.

It’s very fresh; unexpected for a holiday release but absolutely appreciated. A faint woodiness/sweetness keeps the citrus blend from coming off too sharply, but it does smell a little “standard.” I quite enjoy the fragrance, but won’t be stocking up on it.

As for its downfall? The wonderfully whimsical Feuilles Magiques packaging (which makes me think of storybook woodland fairies or something) is actually a pain to use — the plastic is hard to squeeze, and while thin, the formula isn’t so runny that it just comes pouring out of the bottle.

I can see this shape working much better for the shower gel, shimmering oil, and eau de toilette (all in the Marvellous Flowers fragrance), but for a body milk… I mean, I liked the scent, but it would’ve had to have been something pretty darn special to justify this much hassle.

Keep reading! »

Tags: /Fragrance, L'Occitane, Moisturizers, Paraben-free, Product Photos, Product Review, Skincare

6 Comments

New 12/01/13: Urban Decay, Bobbi Brown, Dior, & more

January 12, 2013

Rae Chen

4 Comments

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I actually haven’t done one of these in over a month — the last was on November 25th! So, my apologies in advance for the obscenely extensive product widgets, but I hope you enjoy nonetheless.

In cosmetics

Notable new products include extensions of the Urban Decay Naked line, the Bobbi Brown Brighten, Sparkle & Glow collection (I think I’ll be doing a full product spread on that one), Dior Cherie Bow, a whole bunch of Benefit palettes and kits, and a numer of new MAC brow products.

And worth a mention: Sephora has picked up quite a few more OCC products, and ciaté has finally (finally!) come out with an interesting nail kit that’s more intriguing than gross. So, um, that’s pretty cool.

Good job, ciaté.

In skincare, fragrance, & tools

I spy, with my little eye… Clarins Double Serum, Bobbi Extra Bright, and a super weird Tarte vibrating eye… stick… thing that apparently only Ulta is nuts enough to carry.

It sounds really weird, you guys. I need help responding to this.

Tags: /New This Week (& etc)

4 Comments