Sigma Flare Palette

Finally!  I'm so excited to be able to start posting about the Sigma eye shadow palettes.  I received mine a month ago and despite having taken some product photos, I thought it best to do some a little test first and try to conjure up a look to go with the palette.  Plus, I think I've been doing too many Sigma posts back to back in this space I felt I should break it up a bit.

Each palette is priced at US$35 and is available for purchase on the Sigma website.  Assuming a brush value of US$9 (the full size brush retails at US$9/each), each eye shadow is only US$3.25 (less than RM10/each)! Click on the image above to purchase and receive a free gift with your order.

Anyways, there are 3 palettes altogether: Flare, Dare and Bare.  The package came with a little leaflet (Sigma's signature) that talks more about the palettes as well as a sample look for each.

Palette Leaflet

I was quite surprised at the actual size of the palette.  It's approximately +3/4in in length, +1/3in depth and height compared to the Urban Decay Naked Palette.

I'm starting off with the Flare palette so here we go.

New Product: theBalm Meet Matt(e) Palette

Talk about coincidence.  A few days ago I posted about neutral palettes and lo and behold, I received the latest theBalm mailer announcing their latest palette which just so happens to have some of the most beautiful neutral shades.  I'm personally very excited to get my hands on this palette simply because it's all matte shades!

Photo source: theBalm website

New Product: Stila Brighten & Correct Concealer

For those in the market to try a new concealer, Stila has come out with a brand new concealer formula aptly named the Brighten & Correct Concealer retailing for US$28 each.

Photo Credit: Stila Newsletter

The product comes in the same kind of tube/twist pen as their signature glosses.  This latest offering from Stila comes in 5 shades and for a limited time ships for free with the checkout code CORRECT.

Fair	Tone	Medium
Tan	Deep

Here's a description of the product from the Stila website:

Swirl your way to a perfected and brightened complexion! Stila's new Brighten & Correct Concealer contains a unique multi-mineral complex and Haloxyl™, making it a perfect multi-purpose undereye brightener, illuminator and correcting concealer that help reduce the appearance of dark circles over time.

Swirled with two shades, one for brightening and another for correcting, and infused with light-diffusing pigments, this beautiful formula offers lightweight, buildable coverage while improving the look and feel of skin. This innovative concealer delivers one high performance, high definition, complexion-perfecting product.

• Brightening, illuminating, correcting concealer
  
• Includes Haloxyl™, which immediately helps reduce the appearance of dark circles
  
• Multi-mineral complex includes: zinc (antioxidant), magnesium (maintains skin barrier), chlorine (maintains mineral concentrations), sodium and potassium (key electrolytes)
  
• Diminishes the look of fine lines & wrinkles
  
• Reduces imperfections and improves skin texture
  
• Hydrates, balances and nourishes the skin
  
• Serum cools as it dries, which helps reduce puffy skin around the eye
  
• Paraben, Oil, Lanolin, Fragrance Free
  

Sephora Favorites, Great Way To Sample Products

I love samples.  It allows us to try different products from a variety of brands without having to purchase the full size and realizing it's not delivering the results we'd like.  During my recent US trip, I picked up 2 amazing sets from Sephora at what I feel is great value:

Sephora Favorites: Give Me Some Lash, US$30
(Approx. US$4.30/tube)

You get deluxe samples of the following mascaras to try out and they're perfect for travelling or to throw in your purse too.

• Talika Lipocils (0.07oz)
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! in Black (0.1oz)
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash in Black (0.1oz)
• Bare Excentuals Flawless Definition Mascara in Black (0.16oz)
• Smashbox Lash DNA in Jet Black (0.2oz)
• Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black (0.14oz)
• Buxom Lash in Blackest Black (0.2oz)

A set of mascaras like this is great because you get to try out different mascara formulas and find your new favorite.  Plus, since these are mini sized, you won't have to worry about having a lot of product left in the tube come time to chuck them in the trash.

Sephora Favorites: Set For Summer, US$39
(Approx. US$4.30/item + free clear make up bag)

In this set you get 2 full size and 7 deluxe sized samples in a clear plastic zippered make up bag to put your make up in.  I love the selections and variation in this set especially since you can get a complete look with just the products in this set and your own tinted moisturizer/foundation.

• Sephora Collection Mono Eyeshadow in Choco Excess 19 (0.07oz) - Full size
• Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pop (0.20oz) - Full size
• Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk (0.13oz)
• Too Faced Mini Peach Leopard Brightening & Perfecting Bronzer (0.08oz)
• Sephora by OPI in I'm WIred (0.125oz)
• Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment (0.08oz)
• Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-Up Base (0.18oz)
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Mascara in Black (0.10oz)
• Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Make-Up Setting Spray (0.34oz)

These sets are limited edition and available at Sephora.com and Sephora outlets.  I'm not too sure if these sets are available in the Asian Sephora stores as I don't have one near me.  Could anyone confirm this?

Photo credits: Sephora.com

Look of the Night: Attending A Wedding

Last night I attended a wedding reception at a local hotel and decided to try out some Real Techniques brushes and my new Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation.  Since I still have my travel make up unpacked, I went ahead and utilized whatever I could find in it for the look (hope you don't mind how tired I look in the photo as it was taken when I got back home from the function).

Benefit B.Right! Radiant Skincare... The Minis

If you've been thinking of trying out the Benefit B.Right! Radiant Skincare line but don't want to invest in the full size products just to end up not quite liking how the product works or finding out that it's not agreeing with your skin, then you're in luck.  On a trip to ULTA while I was in the US, I happened upon these intro kits and felt that this would definitely be the perfect opportunity to try our part of the line without that hefty investment.

Click here for the introduction post for the Benefit B.Right Skincare Line

b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit intro kit

3-pc Intro Kit, US$12

• Exfoliator, Refined Finish Facial Polish (8.9g/0.3oz)
• Face cream, Total Moisture Face Cream (3g/0.1oz)
• Face lotion with SPF, Triple Performance Facial Emulsion SPF15 PA++ (8.9ml/0.3fl oz)

b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit 6 piece intro kit

6-pc Intro Kit, US$24

• Facial wash, Foamingly Clean Facial Wash (8.9g/0.3oz)
• Exfoliator, Refined Finish Facial Polish (8.9g/0.3oz)
• Toner, Moisture Prep Toning Lotion ()
• Face cream, Total Moisture Face Cream (3g/0.1oz)
• Face lotion with SPF, Triple Performance Facial Emulsion SPF15 PA++ (8.9ml/0.3fl oz)
• Eye cream, It's Potent! Eye Cream (3g/0.1oz)

These mini sets are limited edition and are available on the Benefit webstore, Amazon.com and in selected ULTAs.  Give these a whirl and if you only like one (or all) of the products, the full sized versions are already part of the permanent skincare line.

NOTE: Unfortunately these sets do not ship internationally due to hazmat regulations.

Neutral Palettes For Everyday Make Up

Neutral palettes and earth tones have been make up staples for practically every beauty lover and make up artist out there.  I'm sure even those less inclined in make up would probably own at least 1 neutral palette or own earth tone eyeshadow shades.  From beginners to advanced users, fresh to smoky looks, fair to deep skin tones, these types of palettes are a definite win.

Practically every cosmetic company has their own version of the neutral palette which means, we're pretty much spoilt for choice here and picking one up is only a matter of budget and personal preference.  Check out a few palettes available at varying price points below.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Sigma Eyeshadow
Palette - Bare, $35
Sigma

Whatever your budget, there's bound to be a neutral palette to fit your needs.  Drop by a drugstore, beauty outlet or every your fave departmental store and pick one up.  Have fun with this staple palette!

Photo credits: Target.com, Sephora.com, Walgreens.com, Sigma Beauty

New Product: Sigma Brush Cup Holder

Not to long ago Sigma came out with the Make Me Up collection and a lot of people were excited with the brush cup holder packaging the brushes came in.  Click here for a link to my previous post on the collection.

Now that Sigma owner, Simone, has announced that the they'll be doing away with the brush roll, here comes its little sister, the Brush Cup Holder in its place for the same price of US$20.

Photo courtesy: Sigma

At the moment the product is available only in the classic black but I wouldn't be too surprise if they release the other colors for individual purchase as well.  These oval cylinders consists of 2 parts and snap together to protect your brushes.  Have them placed separately on your vanity/table top as brush cup holders (hence the name) or snap them on to take them on the go.  When you're travelling you can place you clean brushes in one cup and used ones in the other getting them ready for cleaning.

Jewelmint Picks: July 2011

There's been a lot of hype online about Jewelmint and I have to admit there are some beautiful unique pieces on the website. For a subscription/membership fee of US$29.99 a month, you get to choose your favorite piece(s) to be shipped to you.  Each additional piece costs US$29.99 (first piece is included in the subscription/membership fee) and were created/designed by actress Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter. Click here for more information on how it works.  You also have the option to purchase special jewelry pieces where 50% of the proceeds goes to support charitable causes like this.

If you're interested, feel free to click here to join Jewelmint.

Since at the moment the website only ships to the US, I haven't been able to get my hands on the actual jewelry as much as I would definitely love to.  Anyways, I thought why not just share with all of you my top picks of the month (pieces I'd love to buy and not necessarily those suggested to me that month) had I been able to purchase them.

Forever Yours Bracelet

I think that is a beautiful demure piece with a nice combination of silver-, gold- and rose gold-plated finishes and a couple of plates that are perfect for engraving your name and special messages on.