Saturday, September 26, 2015

Perfume House M. Micallef Celebrates One Year Anniversary in Singapore with launch of Akowa

Structural, crystal-studded Ylang in Gold bottles
French luxury niche brand M. Micallef has been in the market for almost 20 years, but just celebrated their first birthday in Singapore with the launch of sexy new men's fragrance Akowa (SGD$345), a sensual, woody-aromatic concoction which contains a "secret ingredient" extracted from the root of an undisclosed plant from Africa. The name and concept is drawn from the reclusive African Akowa tribe, and the scent itself has an herbal bite along with a soft almost-sweet muskiness.

Aside from the slightly bitter bite of the mysterious African root, the composition also includes orange blossom and bergamot for a fresher opening, amber and cocoa for a warm inviting heart, and vetiver and white musk to ground it in the base. The overall scent is not too soapy-fresh, not too sweet, not too bitter. It's pleasingly complex but not too complicated and full of itself (as some niche scents lean towards).


The blend of old and new is something of a common theme for M. Micallef. 
They are still credited as one of the first perfume houses to embrace niche ingredients like Aoud (or Oud wood) before it became fashionable to put it in everything, and even in the design of the painstakingly hand-crafted bottles, there is a blend of classic, old-fashioned opulence with a touch of modernity.


Some of the bottles (especially the stoppered collector's bottles and the pointy-topped Ananda bottles) remind me of Arabian perfumes. 

But if you're worried that these will smell like cloying, heavy Arabic-style perfumes, don't be. Most of M. Micallef's scents can be described with the words "smooth and likeable". Some, like their bestseller, the original Anande, are sweetly-floral and extremely wearable. Ananda Dolce is fruity and creamier, like an peach-almond dessert. I love big white florals so Ananda Black with it's fleshy tuberose and ylang is my favorite of the three.


For those who love a slightly more fruity and flirty concoction, Mon Parfum M. Micallef (below) contains orange blossom, mandarin, patchouli, and a shot of yummy caramel. 


My personal favorites are Ylang In Gold and Royal Muska from the Collection Jewel line, pictured below. These are delicately sweet scents that wear like "your skin but better" because they both have a light lactonic "milky" quality to them that makes them super smooth. (If a smell can be described as smooth.) 

From left: Jewel for Him, Ylang in Gold, and Royal Muska





Royal Muska features notes like sweet raspberry, Turkish rose, ylang ylang, precious woods, warm benzoin, and musk. Ylang in Gold has ylang ylang (again - you can tell I love it!) coconut, sandalwood, and vanilla, although I also smell a fruity tang not included in these notes.

Ylang in Gold in particular, is a scent I love. Wearing it is like wrapping yourself in a silk scarf. There are no hard edges or rough bits. It's airy light and smooth as butter. It does remind me of another favorite, Il Profumo's Macadam, and these are both compositions that make me think of walking into a room with a plate of untouched French macarons sitting on the table.

Macaron tower, picture credits: crafthubs.com
There's a soft delicate, creamy sweetness in the air but it's not a full-on gourmand dessert smell. There is nothing sticky, sugary or cloying.

And to top it off, it's available in a version filled with shimmery flecks of gold mica to deposit a glimmering veil every time you spray your skin.

M. Micallef Le Parfum Couture

Friday, September 25, 2015

Sephora Essential Colorful Masks



The weekend is a perfect time to pamper your skin and explore different treatment options. While I'm still giving my new Nūface device a try (that's not something you use once or twice and write a review about), here are some economical options!

I have many friends who rave about the Sephora Essential Colorful Sheer Masks. But I think it's so great that they've come up with capsules because - sometimes - I'm just not in the mood to fuss with messy drippy sheets that get on my hair or run down my neck. With these you just open a pod, dig it out, apply, and you're good to go.

The new pods come in every one of your favorite colors; orchid, lotus, pearl, green tea... If you haven't paid attention to these before, here's a run-down of what they do.
  • Avocado (moisturizing, nourishing) - softens and hydrates very dry, compromised skin barrier and helps protect chapped skin. 
  • Ginseng (toning, revitalizing) - if your dkin is dull, tired and a bit puffy, ginseng can improve circulation and help firm and tighten slightly.
  • Green Tea (mattifying, refreshing) - for those who have oily skin but don't like drying clay masks, this is one that helps calm and absorb excess sebum. It won't have the same anti-bacterial or pore-clearing properties as stronger masks but  sometimes when you are having hormonal breakouts, you need skin soothing more than skin drying.
  • Job's Tears (moisturizing, brightening) - this is probably my fave off the whole series. It's good for a 10 minute quick fix to smooth and brighten skin. It's also good for acne-prone skin as it's calming and helps lighten fresh scars.
  • Lotus (soothing, moisturizing) - a refreshing hydrating mask that helps soothe tired, stressed skin.
  • Matine Algae (nourishing, deeply hydrating) - the difference between this and the Avocado is that this is better for skin that lacks water (dehydrated) and Avocado is better for skin that lacks oil (dry). Many people are can be oily and dehydrated at the same time due to not drinking enough water or using drying skin products to treat oily skin. If that sounds like you, you need to add back water, not oil.
  • Orchid (anti-aging, regenerating) - if you want your mask to do more than temporarily smooth your skin, try something with antioxidant extracts. 
  • Anti-aging is about prevention so even if you're young, using an anti-aging treatment regularly helps protect what is there. 
  • Pearl (brightening, perfecting) - pearl powder has been used as a beauty aid in Chinese culture for centuries. It not only helps smooth and protect skin barrier, it also imparts a beautiul luminosity to thw skin. I consider this more of a special occasion boost than something for regular use to even out the skin as I find Job's Tear better for that.
  • Pomegranate (anti-fatigue) - besides being loaded with antioxidants, Pomegranate also tones and perks up dull, tired looking skin.
  • Rose (moisturizing, brightening) - we all love our rose masks because besides toning and intensely hydrating, they just feel like such luxurious, pampering treatments.

To be perfectly honest, many of these have overlapping properties and benefits. All of them are hydrating for one.

But the good thing is you don't need to over-invest. Just pick up a handful that appral to you and pop one open depending on how your skin feels that day. Put them in the fridge. They feel even better. 

And bring them traveling.



Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Favorite Red Hot lipsticks of the moment


Some of you might have seen me mention on Instagram that I'm a bit obsessed with orange-hued reds at the moment.

They're brightening,  fun, and chirpy like orange, but at the same time they're grown-up looking because they mostly act like a red lipstick. And there are several different textures that I like right now as well.


MAC's Dangerous is a limited edition shade (bad news) which is quite similar to Lady Danger (good news), but slightly more muted. So if you are looking for a classic red-orange in a rich matte texture, Lady Danger is probably the best bet.

Many people are worried about orange-based reds making their teeth look yellow. Actually I don't find that to be the case unless your teeth are badly stained to begin with. It depends on how bright or neon the shade you choose is. If you go with shades that are more red-based (like the ones listed above) they actually aren't bright enough to make your teeth look dull and discolored, which is what some bright oranges and bright pinks do.


You can choose between glossy finishes, sheers, classic cremes, and a perpetual fave of mine - mattes. They all look great.

Orange reds are FAB when layered as well. Pop a glossy shade on top of a matte shade and you will be making a big statement with those lips.



Great orange-red mattes for velvety tomato toned lips:
  • MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus 2 - slightly rosier and deeper than Lady Danger.
  • Shu Uemura M OR 570 "Gangnum Orange" - this dried tomato red has a brick-toned warmth mixed in with a vivid red orange, in a lightweight comfortable finish that does not feel like typical mattes.

    Great orange-red sheers/glossies for a juicier sorbet effect:
    • OCC Lip Tar Stained Gloss in Meta - almost neon in tone but translucent and jelly-like.
    • Dior Fluid Stick 639 Artifice - super glossy but not sheer at all; for those who want a dramatic lacquered finish. Great layered over a matte base shade.
    • Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Sheer Shine in S RD 150 - a staple I've been reaching for ever since I got the press kit; the Sheer Shine range launches October 2015, and is filled with bright pop shade in gorgeous colors
    Great orange-red cremes/satins where the color stands out more than the finish of the lipstick:
    • Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Hot Orange - one of THE best intense orange reds
    • Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Slowburn - this is actually not as "sheer" as you might think considering the name; I consider it more of a creme lipstick than a sheer. This has nice, even color-payoff in a silky texture.
    • Peri Pera Cushion Lips in OR01 - this Korean drugstore brand offering is super fun; it's a slightly sheer lip cream in a creamy semi-matte texture, so you get a matte veil of color.

    Friday, September 11, 2015

    Tom Ford’s Complexion Enhancing Primer and Skin Illuminating Powder Duo

    2 products that I was super excited to see this season were Tom Ford’s new “illuminating” skin products, the Complexion Enhancing Primer, and the gorgeous Skin Illuminating Powder Duo.

    They offer different intensities of dewiness on the skin, so it’s really up to you what sort of effect you want. But both products are not very obvious, metallic products that look like noticeable makeup. The pearl pigments are so fine that even quite close-up, it just looks like you have a healthy glow. 

    Complexion Enhancing Primer 01 Pink Glow
    This is a pearlescent shell-pink beige which is quite subtle and will not go on very metallic on the skin, so I personally prefer to apply it AFTER foundation, even though it’s a “primer”. I never see the point of applying illuminating primers before foundation cos you have to use a lot for it to show up under makeup, and applying it all over just emphasizes pores in areas you don’t want.

    What I do is rub half a pump on the back of my hand so I have an even coating on my fingers, and then press it on over my cheekbones, on the cupid’s bow, and in the center of my nose-bridge.



    Skin Illuminating Powder Duo



     This baby is a must-try for those of you who are addicted to high-end highlighting or illuminating powders. How it differs from other powders we find from MAC, Lauder, etc is in how fine-grained the powder pigments are and the multi-dimensional tones. Once it’s on the skin, it doesn’t look sparkly, doesn’t catch easily on fine lines, and doesn’t make the skin look leathery.


    Most days I'll just tap my brush in both shades for a soft beige highlight that goes with any look, but if you want a little extra something, you can use the chai shade just across the top parts of your blush, and then the ivory a little higher, right above the peaks of your cheekbones so it catches the light more.

    It’s actually a fantastic highlighter for mature women, even though it would look beautiful on everyone. On first look you get an ivory and a soft chai latte color. But once swatched you’ll see they are both multi-dimensional. The ivory has subtle gold and opal pink tones, and the creamy chai shade has bronze tones. And they go on translucent so even if you have very dark skin, the pale shade does not go on chalky. You just get a beautifully natural look, like great skin.

    And here are both products in side by side comparisons so you can see the difference intensity.
    I personally consider the powder duo a must-have in my collection, and the liquid primer good for those who want a softer glow that isn’t detectable even on HD camera.
    Makeup notes:
    • Eyes: MAC Julia Petit Eyeshadows x 2 in Sagu (Druzy Luster shadow and Black Plum Matte shadow)
    • Physicians’ Formula Nudewear Blush in Natural
    • MAC Velvet Teddy lipstick

    Tuesday, September 8, 2015

    Some New Loves from Jurlique: Purely Age-Defying Skincare and Rose Silk Finishing Powder


    If you live in the UK or Australasia and you're into skincare, the name Jurlique is probably not new to you.

    Born in 1985, the credo of the company has always been centered around natural, eco-friendly, organic plant-based beauty, and today, they have a comprehensive range of skincare and body products targeted at different skin issues and concerns.

    The bestselling Purely Age-Defying range is targeted at fighting visible signs of aging; namely those who are starting to see fine lines, some slackness and loss of elasticity, and some unevenness in skintone. So I wanted to start my Jurlique journey with some of the cornerstone products in this series.

    First there is the key item in any skincare range, and the item that I usually advise most people to invest in. Far better to skimp on a basic moisturizer and invest in a good serum, because they usually contain a concentrated amount of active ingredients, are formulated to penetrate faster and deeper, and also work quite well with most lotions and creams you want to put on top.



    Purely Age-Defying Firming and Tightening Serum (SGD$137) is targeted at smoothing wrinkles and improving skin clarity. It contains:

    • Oat Kernel extract - anti-inflammatory and soothing; as we get older our skin starts to react more easily to environmental aggressors and hormonal imbalances, and anti-inflammatory ingredients are critical to keeping everything balanced and well-behaved, which is a key to reduction of oxidative stress in the skin.
    • Beech Tree Bud extract - extracted from a plant that lives for hundreds of years, beech tree bud extract contains a lot of flavonoids and peptides, things which counteract oxidation and help strengthen your epidermis structure.
    • Tapioca starch - this sounds strange but actually it's a great humectant and can help to hold water on the skin surface longer.
    And if these are not enough, the serum also contains all the most popular skin protectant/repair ingredients like Licorice extract, yeast, algae, and squalane. The best thing is despite all these nourishing ingredients, it sinks in quickly and doesn't leave a heavy film on the skin, so even if you have oily acne-prone skin, this can fit nicely into your existing skincare routine.



    Purely Age-Defying Mist (SGD$76) is one of those face mists we all love and can't get enough of.
    This is an alcohol-free, glycerin-based hydrating and antioxidant mist (for those of you who want to avoid all alcohol in your skincare), and key ingredients include:
    • Beech Tree Bud extract
    • Rock Samphire - also called sea fennel, this is a rare plant whose extract helps to soften and condition dry skin
    • Licorice extract
    • Ascorbyl Glucoside - Vitamin C is a powerful topical antioxidant which has been proven not just to even out skintone, but also to fight effects of aging and photo-damage. Ascorbyl Glucoside is a stabilized derivative of Vitamin C (non-stabilized Vitamin C starts to degrade the moment it is exposed to light and air, so before you invest in any Vitamin C products make sure you ask if it is a stable formula)

    I'm not a fan of mists that are just "spring water". If you're going to use a mist, make sure it contains plenty of other good stuff, because it's a convenient way to deliver extra hydration and antioxidants to your skin over the day, especially if you're wearing makeup and going in and out of dry air-conditioned environment and hot humidity.

    And this particular one contains tons of "good stuff". It has a slight herbal scent that's not offensive, but the mister does spray quite a bit of liquid out with each pump, so just aim properly and hold the bottle some distance away so you don't drench your face. (Or simply spray in your palm and press it on gently.)

    P.S. the glass bottle is just beautiful, but if you want to travel with this you might want to decant it into a plastic bottle as it's quite heavy.



    Pure Age-Defying Firming Face Oil (SGD$106) is my absolute favorite product of the lot. Hands-down. You might not be surprised since I'm a bit of an oil-junkie. I love how calming face oils are, and how they can help balance oil production with regular use, while helping to condition the skin without additional fillers and chemicals that can sometimes cause reactions in sensitive skin.

    This product is based on safflower seed oil, which means it is very conditioning and emollient, and contains lots of essential fatty acids that help to repair and protect skin barrier. If you have thin, dry or fragile skin that is prone to mild sensitivities, safflower is a pretty good option, although it's not all that commonly used compared to jojoba, grapeseed and sweet almond. 

    Other than safflower, this also contains a lot of other conditioning and antioxidant extracts including:
    • Sunflower Seed Oil
    • Macadamia Seed Oil
    • Rosa Canina (Dog rose) Oil
    • Avocado Oil
    • Black Currant Seed Oil
    • Rock Samphire extract
    • Buriti Oil
    • Vitamin E
    • Vitamin A
    • Licorice extract
    What stands out to me are the Vitamin A and Buriti which contains beta-carotene (a Vitamin A derivative). If you haven't heard, Vitamin A is a powerful wrinkle-fighting ingredients which also helps cell turnover. Retinol and Retinoids are all Vitamin A derivatives used to fight fine lines and hyper-pigmentation.

    Of course, some people are sensitive to certain oils, so make sure you try a sample or do a patch test (as with any skincare product). This is not a comedogenic formula so I don't see it being problematic for most people, but you might still find it feels a little too nourishing for you if you are very oil-prone. You can get around this by changing your method of application.

    TIPS FOR FACIAL OIL APPLICATION:
    1. Press it on over clean-skin, BEFORE serum/lotion. The lighter product you massage on top of the oil helps to emulsify and increase absorption of the oil. This is my favorite method for application because I find everything absorbs faster and I can apply makeup over it.
    2. Add a few drops in your palm, spray a pump or two of the face mist over it, and mix between your palms to emulsify before pressing over your face. This turns everything into a light milk which you can use in place of a regular moisturizer if you don't want too much product on your face.
    3. Mix a couple of drops into your regular oil-free lotion or cream and apply together as the last step of your skincare. This boosts the nourishing effect of your lotion or cream.
    You can use a regular cream in the day and leave the oil for night, but I personally have slightly combi/dry skin and apply this anytime of the day. It leaves my skin feeling comfortable and smooth for hours, and really helps my makeup to glide on. In fact, it's calmed my skin down so well that I didn't even have a breakout when I was PMS-ing recently, which hasn't happened for a long while.
    One last note on facial oils - Jurlique doesn't have a ton of preservatives in the formula and the oil is not mineral-based so you do have to store the product in a cool dry place and try to finish it within a year (6 months is best) so it doesn't go rancid, which is the same for all plant-based oils. If you store it in the fridge, you can extend the shelf life quite a bit as well. Just a tip!


    Lastly, a cult classic. Rose Silk Finishing Powder (SGD$63). 
    This is something I've been meaning to try for years (ever since I saw Lisa Eldridge talking about the Citrus Silk Finishing Powder, which has sadly been discontinued), but kept forgetting about. Well I am very glad I finally did because it's gorgeous. I want to bathe in this stuff. This is a translucent mattifying powder that balances the skin and subtle evens out skin-tone without looking like makeup. 

    It contains Sage and Rosemary extracts to help naturally reduce surface oiliness and also Daisy, luxurious Iris (Orris Root), and even Witch Hazel for a refreshing and cooling feel on the skin. My skin just feels smooth and silky, not powdery or overly-matte and cakey looking.

    And did I mention the divine smell? Dust it on and you immediately feel like you're sitting in a 1920's boudoir in your beaded gown, powdering your nose with a luxurious, delicately rose-scented French powder, before going out for an evening at a jazz club. It's a beautiful thing.

    A round-up of some new (and evergreen) skincare, makeup, fragrance, and fashion loves!

    Now that I've given Jurlique products a nice test-drive, I'm keen to try more of their face oils and masks.

    The range is pretty extensive, and they have a number of items for sensitive skins which I am very curious to check out next. So far I haven't been disappointed with any of the items I've tried, which is not surprising given their focus on effective, simple, but elegant formulas made with pure ingredients, many of which are grown and harvested on their own biodynamic farms in Adelaide, Australia.

    Highly recommend swinging by a store if you haven't already taken a look at their range!
    Jurlique is available in Singapore at Ngee Ann City #B1-56, TANGS Vivocity Lev 1, Raffles City Robinsons Lev 1, Robinsons Heeren Lev 1. 
    You can also stay posted on any promotional news and updates on their Facebook page and Instagram @jurliquesg!


    Sunday, September 6, 2015

    Dior Addict Lipstick Fall Relaunch Review and 4 "It" Shade Swatches

    Dior is relaunching its Dior Addict Lipstick range this year, and besides a new "Hydra-Gel" Topcoat to help seal in color for longer, and a Triple Oil Complex at the core (where the "CD" logo runs down through the entire lipstick) to smooth and plump lips, they've also updated the colors to fit current fashion trends, and also increase shine.

    These are translucent balm-like hybrid lipsticks with a variation in cream, shimmer, and pearl finishes. While they certainly do last longer than old-school tinted balms from 5-10 years ago, these are still creamy sheer lipsticks that will come off on cups, tissue, and someone's cheek quite easily. Balms will be balms, so let's not harbor any unrealistic expectations. 

    On the other hand they are very comfortable to wear. Some of the sparkly shimmer formulas may feel just a touch more gritty on the lips than the creme and pearl formulas but they are in no way rough or uncomfortable on the lips. I actually did not find these as glossy as I had expected given the description of the Triple Oil Complex and the promise of shine. They do take on a bit of sheen as the soft hydrating formula warms up on your lips, but these are not ultra-glossy by any stretch.

    Color-wise, as with many sheer balmy shades, many of the soft colors will look pretty similar to one another so you would have to go with some of the brighter or deeper shades if you want color impact. There is almost no point owning more than 1 or 2 of the soft pinky/nude shades at a time. Also, if you have pigmented or dark lips, some of the paler shades can look ashy and patchy, so I would again go with the deeper options.

    By now you might be thinking I actually dislike the product. Not so!
    I do love a good balmy tinted product that I can throw in my purse and whip out without a mirror for a touch of color without having to worry about making a mess. And these do feel really nice on the lips. Not patchy, sticky or oily. 


    Dior is featuring 4 shimmery, pearlescent "It" shades this season, and the one that immediately caught my eye was Be Dior, the raspberry fuchsia. It  might look dark and scary in the tube for some of you, but remember these are sheer. You will see in the swatches below that it will just look like a nice berry stain on the lips.


    553 Smile - nude pink creme; brightens and evens out the lips slightly
    451 Tribale - soft coral pearl; nice and flattering with slightly buildable color
    561 Wonderful - petal pink shimmer; the most sparkly of the 4 "It" shades
    976 Be Dior - raspberry shimmer; flattering rosy berry with subtle sparkle


    My favorite shades from the 4 are probably 451 Tribale and 976 Be Dior (UPDATE: yes, this is the shade Jennifer Lawrence wears in the Shine, Don't Be Shy ad; it's a beautiful color, although the actual shade is not quite as violet as it sometimes appears on screen), although 553 Smile is a versatile "throw in your bag" nude-pink that you can just throw on as a balm anytime. 561 Wonderful is pretty if you like a sparkly baby pink, but I personally don't go for this type of shade too often as they make my lips look a little grey. If you have a lot of natural pink/red in your lips (as opposed to no pigments or brown pigments), this would be pretty for softening the color and adding a spun sugar effect.

    All in all, it's still a great range of casual, fashionable colors to throw on for those who want soft color but don't like the stickiness of gloss or the feel of heavier lipsticks. I would compare these to the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine range in terms of the payoff and finish although the YSLs are a bit more glossy in finish, and these come in a lot more shimmery pearlescent shades. I'm still a die-hard Diorific Lipstick fan (I just love the intensity and drama), but I do always keep an "easygoing" product in my purse for occasions when my lips are feeling ragged and I can't deal with the maintenance of a strong lip.



    Dior Addict lipsticks retail at SGD$48 at all Dior beauty counters from 1 Sep 2015.


    Friday, September 4, 2015

    Eye Contouring Basics (Estee Lauder New Dimension Shape + Sculpt Eye Kit Demo)

    We keep talking about facial contouring, but here in Asia, something that often gets forgotten is eye contouring. Ways to make your eyes look more deep set, or to lift and shape hooded eyes that might look a bit more puffy or flat. 

    The basics are very simple. It's not rocket science. Most people just don't really think about it. Those of us who wear eye shadows probably already do some of it on a daily basis, but whether you are using shadows, or want a "no makeup makeup" look, the general steps are the same. 


    Estee Lauder launched their New Dimension range this month in Singapore, including a firming/shaping Expert Serum (SGD$220) to help tighten and lift your jaw line and your cheek contours, and a rather exciting "Liquid Tape" ($110), a gel which you apply around edges of your face or around areas with fine lines. You literally feel it tighten more and more as it dries, and it will smooth and even out your face temporarily.

    The line also includes a contouring cream duo, the Shape + Sculpt Face Kit ($68), but I'll talk about the Shape + Sculpt Eye Kit ( $60) today.


    I will break the 3 shades down by their purpose.

    1. Base/Primer
    2. Contour
    3. Highlight/Shimmer
    I only number 2 and 3 in reverse because this is the order I personally apply them. You don't have to follow the same directions exactly.



     Demo:


    The rule of thumb for contouring is NEVER put it in your "crease". Not everyone's crease is in the same perfect place, especially if you have mono lids or hooded lids. And as you get older, your crease sags as well. You should always be "FOLLOW THE HOLLOW". Feel with your finger for the part of your eye where your eyeball sinks into your socket bone. The deepest part is where you always apply your contour shade. (And where you blend those "crease shades" up to when working with eyeshadows.)


    The instructions from Lauder are to apply the shimmer highlight to the inner cornrs, but I personally feel that doesn't suit everyone. Especially for women who have a fold of skin over the inner corners of their eyes, applying highlight there does nothing, and popping it in the center actually helps create a more sculpted 3-D look for the eye in that case.

    The only thing you want to be careful about is this might not work if you have oily lids. If you tend to get creasing shadows through the day, leave the shimmer off the middle of the lid and use a pale shimmery champagne powder shadow instead.

    To conclude, the concept of putting 3 products into a trio as an eye sculpting kit is new, but the theory behind eye contouring is not. You can in fact look for a primer, a matte tan shade, and a pale shimmer shade from any eye shadow range. This product is something I would suggest for those who:

    • don't want a lot of color and obvious makeup around their lids, and prefer just liner and mascara/lashes
    • have hooded or mono lids, or just want to emphasize their eye contours a bit, but have it look quite natural
    • don't want to bother with searching for 2-3 separate products in the perfect shades and just want something that has been put together neatly in a portable trio for you
    The key shade that makes the difference is the tan shade here, and it is matte and soft enough that unless you are very heavy-handed, it will look pretty much like you were born with those natural shadows. And it's not always easy to find. 

    The only problem is if you have very tan or darker skin, because this shade will not be deep enough for you.