Viva Woman

I was rather surprised to find that NeoStrata has now a counter over at some Guardian stores. This brand is well known to be a physician dispensed line of products because they are formulated with alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs), polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), and Bionic PHAs.  In fact, I used to get it only from my dermatologist. 

I’ve used two of their products, NeoStrata Facial Cleanser and NeoStrata Bionic Lotion, supposedly to help my hyperpigmentation.  Frankly I hated the products!  They’re awful in terms of smell and the cleanser doesn’t even foam.  Moreover, the packaging is too clinical for my liking.  So I refused to get it again even though it came highly recommended for my skin problems.

But that’s just me.  I’ve read on the forums and even at Makeupalley, where many ladies are giving this range the thumbs up.  So while I hate it, the NeoStrata range apparently helps with acne prone skin as well as pigmentation.  I’ve even read reviews that some have claimed that their skin is much clearer after using NeoStrata’s products after awhile.  Plus the raves are also because the products are generally quite gentle, which I do agree.

So if you have problem skin like acne, dry skin, hyperkeratosis (thickening of the outer layer of the skin) or hyperpigmentation and are looking for AHA or PHA treatment based products, maybe NeoStrata is a good start especially since they’re now readily available.  You may also like to look up NeoAsia for the current and upcoming promotional offers.

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I love The Gloss Rave Reviews from Benefit Cosmetics!  It’s got to be the bestest gloss that I’ve used so far, and in fact, I like it even better than my current lipsticks.  I’m not someone who heart lip gloss so this is really big deal.  And you may also like to know that this one has got a rating of 4.7 out of 5 from the ladies at Makeupalley, so I definitely can’t be wrong about it.

The color is just right, the smell is just fine and very important for me, it gives some shine without being sticky at all!  Plus it’s good enough to be worn solo.

The Gloss from Benefit Cosmetics is available in eight shades but Rave Reviews seems to be the best.  At US$14 online or S$30 at Tangs counter, this one is worth buying over and over again. 

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If you’re interested to look younger, you might want to check out the new all-in-one Erase Paste from Benefit Cosmetics; a concentrated, creamy, blendable concealing and brightening camouflage for the eyes and face. 

Concealing dark under-eye circles can make you look younger as I’ve discussed in my entry yesterday.  Additionally, Benefit Erase Paste can be used to conceal blemishes and discoloration as well as camouflage deep marionette grooves, or the shadowy areas from the nose to the corner of the lips.

Benefit Erase Paste is available in three brightening neutral shades and  cost US$26.  You might be interested to know that from now till Mar 4, purchase of Erase Paste will entitle you to free US standard shipping with the promo code BRIGHTEN used during check out.  For international orders, use promo code INTLSHIP during checkout to enjoy free shipping for purchases above US$100 (with or without Erase Paste).

I’m planning to load up more of their glosses during my next purchase and since this sounds interesting, I may just add it on my list. 

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Makeup for me is not so much to look prettier, but rather, to look younger.  Hence, part of the process involves concealing.  To tell you the truth, I didn’t pay much attention to concealing my under-eye dark circles until recent years.  But as soon as I did, I realized the amazing effect it had.  It helped me to look more awake and much fresher!  At least I no longer have the problem of people remarking that I constantly look tired. 

I hope the picture above does some justice to what I’ve stated.  As you can see, the first picture shows me without any concealer.  Second picture is where I’ve dabbed on some powder concealer.  The last one is where I have my foundation layered on top of my concealer.

At the moment, I alternate between YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch and Everyday Minerals Multi-tasking Concealer, depending on my fancy.  I’ve been applying the concealer not just under my eyes but around it, particularly on the hollow sides of my nose (the spot next to the eye socket) because I noticed that the sides were rather dark as well.   What I didn’t know until I read Bobbi Brown’s Living Beauty is that doing so actually helps to open up our eyes and make them look brighter. 

I was also glad to find out from Bobbi Brown that we shouldn’t line our lower lash line or apply mascara to the lower lashes because that would draw more attention to our bad under-eye dark circles.  I don’t do both so that works in my favor.

And according to Bobbi Brown, the best way to brighten up extremely dark under-eye dark circles is to start with a pink or peach toned corrector, then layer on with a yellow-toned concealer.  She also suggested to keep the focus on the upper part of the eyes.

Maybe I’ll experiment with Benefit Eye Bright which is pink and see if it works with my current concealer.  If it does, I’ll report back again.

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