tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55488704937077797332024-03-19T05:14:57.908+08:00 The Makeup Box A Singaporean beauty fanatic's makeup, skincare and fragrance adventures!CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.comBlogger578125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-1459938236790938442021-03-15T23:00:00.001+08:002021-03-15T23:02:15.618+08:00My Latest Obsession: Kuretake Gansai Tambi WatercolorsA different method of painting...I'm no artist, but the one thing my dad taught me at the age of 2... before piano, and before reading and writing... was drawing. And he was quite an avid painter in his younger years so I grew up with an obsessive love for art and aesthetics in general.So I've been spending more time painting on paper than on my face recently. And one of my favorite things to do Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com93tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-52708784916657300032020-09-03T15:08:00.004+08:002020-09-03T15:20:48.202+08:00Laneige Neo Cushions: Glow + Matte 8Hr Try-On and Review! (23N)
So much hype around these irresistibly-gorgeous new Airpod-like LANEIGE Neo Cushion foundations (designed by famed ex-Samsung creative director Yeongkyu Yoo) - but do they live up to it?
I'm - spoiler - happy to report that I do like both the Neo Cushion Glow and Neo Cushion Matte (S$62 for a case and 2 refills), and find them to be a significant upgrade from the original BB Cushion Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com120tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-58327515710001140482020-08-09T15:26:00.008+08:002020-08-12T21:29:06.696+08:00Maybelline Super Stay "Rogue Reds" Matte Ink Edition: Brick Mask-Proof Lipstick SwatchesVery quick post just to share swatches of the Maybelline Rogue Reds color expansion for their Super Stay Matte Ink line, in case any of you were looking for color-comparisons now that there are no swatch testers in store.Brick is not only perfect for Fall 2020, but great year-round as well. The combination of reds and browns makes it more forgiving than bright red, and not as dull as brown. But Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-33952400003477889762020-07-26T21:13:00.007+08:002020-07-27T15:37:31.329+08:00Meet Audioblocks - the worst license-free music site for content creators
To any budding content creators looking to find a subscription for license-free music to use in your projects, AVOID Audioblocks.
Speaking as someone who used an Audioblocks subscription for a couple of years, first for license-free images on Storyblocks, and then later for sound effects, and eventually music that I intended to use for my videos when I started creating content on Youtube.
Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-1358820504023707352020-07-25T02:25:00.000+08:002020-07-25T02:25:16.898+08:00What's In My Bag! Plus a quick overview of two long-time staple bags...
A bit of a non-beauty side note... I do love me some designer bags, but I'm not the type to keep buying and collecting year after year. It's been five years since my last purchase, and I tend to research and think about each bag for months before taking the plunge. That's because I expect them to last me for decades without going out of style.
So I tend not to go for flashy fancy trend Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-79906397597389110602020-07-24T15:53:00.000+08:002020-07-24T15:53:34.435+08:00HERA Eye Shadow Duo AD
In response to the recent market trend of moving away from clunky wasteful palettes, HERA has launched their new Eye Shadow Duo AD line (S$48 in 12 variations). The nifty little double-shade compacts come with coordinated colors and one larger pan, a smart move since most people tend to apply more of the base color and run out of it faster. The formula has also been updated to be creamier Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-6893589107618425902020-07-22T16:27:00.000+08:002020-07-22T18:06:09.258+08:00ZA Summer 2020 White Protector and Coming Journey Collections
ZA Coming Journey Lipsticks (Limited Edition)
Cosmetic giant Shiseido's drugstore line ZA is best known for its popular foundation and brow products. This year though, they've expanded the True White Protector primer line to include color correcting versions as well as a color-correcting finishing powder.
ZA True White Protector range
Priced at S$15.90 per 35g tube (about 1.2oz), the Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-31725111002333827442020-07-22T00:22:00.000+08:002020-07-22T00:23:44.391+08:00KATE Tokyo Red Nude Rouge Swatches and Review
Click to watch the KATE Tokyo Red Nude Rouge IGTV swatch video
Here's a quick IG video showing all 8 KATE Tokyo Red Nude Rouge duos swatched to show a full gradient. Meaning you can see the full spectrum of colors achievable in each compact, depending how much of each shade you use.
You obviously aren’t supposed to wear them the way I did. You can wear them ombre or 3D style, or Candice Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08456441308551289535noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-73443126226287193092020-07-17T12:17:00.002+08:002020-07-17T12:23:50.214+08:00I Try e-Girl Makeup! Feat. NEW NARS "Orgasm X" Cheek Palette and Orgasm ...
This isn't technically a review, but you can see how NARS's new Orgasm X blush builds and blends, and how it differs from original Orgasm blush. This goes on pretty soft and sheer for how intense it looks in the pan, but it definitely layers, and using a firmer, denser brush also deposits much more color than the soft Les Merveilleuses LADUREE one I used.
(Full products listed in the CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-74082509612652221142020-07-17T12:03:00.000+08:002020-07-17T12:42:25.459+08:00iHope KANEBO 2020 Luxury Makeup Revamp (plus Swatches)
KANEBO Eye Color Duos 2020
Japanese luxury line Kanebo has revamped their entire makeup line this year, and did a complete 180 from conservative “OL” (office lady) aesthetic to something completely fresh and vibrant.
Besides including funky mixers and pop shades in their buttery N-rouge lipstick line to let you tweak and create completely unique shades yourself, they’ve also added CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-61782434555941262682019-01-21T16:03:00.002+08:002019-01-21T16:03:42.820+08:00Shu Uemura Red Authority Lipstick swatches
Shu Uemura recently launched a whole red lipstick collection in Lacquer, Satin and Matte textures recently, with the spotlight on a "universal red for Asian skintones", RD 163 (available in all 3 textures).
The 25 shades in the line-up include a mix of new and existing red tones, but the shades run the gamut from soft warm corals to deep dark browns, so there really isn't too much of an CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-25351179500821433202018-10-01T09:51:00.003+08:002018-10-01T09:54:50.255+08:00
ShuUemura just launched 15 shades of #MatteSupreme #liquidlipsticks today and I got all excited cos these are earth-based shades, so even the pinks and oranges have a little brown or neutral undertones in them to make them flattering on the skin.
I lip swatch 5 of their star shades and share my thoughts on who I think they'd look great on:
PK 02 - medium rose pink
BR 01 - warm reddened CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-1263393369786890912018-09-30T11:57:00.000+08:002018-09-30T11:57:30.194+08:00July to September 2018 Makeup and Beauty Faves
A quick run-down of some of my most-loved products products in the past 2-3 months and why I'm obsessing over them! This goes from skincare to foundations to perfumes and even a hair product.
If you don’t see some items I’ve mentioned before or recently, it’s either because they are long-term faves or a little too new (and have not been proven to stand the test of time yet). I narrowed it CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-44368172457024975432018-09-26T01:27:00.000+08:002018-09-26T01:31:26.007+08:00Full Face First Impressions - New Makeup Products! (Mamonde, Hourglass, HERA, and Cle de Peau)
Get ready with me using mostly beauty products I've never tried before!
Did a simple warm gold and khaki cat eye with hot orange lips, featuring the brand new Cle de Peau Beaute Radiant Cushion Foundation and Radiant Corrector Pen.
The cushion was very brightening and has a lightish-medium coverage with a dewy glow. You'll see in the video that I kept expecting this to smear off after 3 CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-34278329448239014732018-09-21T00:19:00.001+08:002018-09-21T00:39:44.397+08:00Long-Wearing Glass Skin using MAC Face & Body Foundation
"Glass Skin", or an extremely dewy, non-shimmery glow, is a trend made popular by South Korean celebrities and media. But the traditional methods of achieving it - face glosses, creamy foundations etc - are not always great for real life (or warmer weather).
Well there IS one forgotten product that can achieve this effect without feeling like an oil-slick or smearing off after 2 hours. MAC'sCandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-62165606827778519662018-09-06T16:15:00.000+08:002018-09-06T16:15:07.988+08:00My HERA Rouge Holic Collection Lip Swatches
HERA is one of the edgiest brands to come out of Seoul, and their Black Cushion is by far one of my favorite cushions for hot weather or oilier skins. They've launched 34 trendy Rouge Holic lipsticks at the Takashimaya counter in Singapore, and these are divided into 2 textures; cream and matte.
Here are 10 bestsellers, lip swatched for reference. It's a pain to swatch so many lipsticks in aCandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-39667675801559719042018-09-02T17:31:00.002+08:002018-09-02T17:38:55.648+08:00Maybelline Total Temptation Shadow + Highlight Palette and Mascara
Maybelline just released their Total Temptation Shadow + Highlight palette along with Total Temptation Mascara this weekend. Retailing at a reasonable S$26.90 for the palette and $21.90 for both waterproof and regular mascaras, I wanted to try them out on camera to see if these were as value-for-money as they seemed.
The palette contains a warm half with 4 shadows and a highlighter, and a CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-891331116494072672018-08-15T02:09:00.000+08:002018-08-15T02:09:36.294+08:00This Week's Power Lip: Armani Lip Magnet 400
Selfie via Instagram Story: Armani Lip Magnet 400
It's weird that even with 101 reds in your collection, you can still find room to obsess over another.
Cue Armani Beauty Lip Magnet 400, the classic true-red that's the signature color of the brand itself. It looks a little tomato-toned in the tube, more Louboutin than Armani, but don't worry. It goes on a vibrant rouge red.
Swatch of CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-28250396670932900502018-07-19T01:27:00.000+08:002018-07-19T16:43:51.805+08:00This Week's Face! Makeup (and Fragrance) I've Been Wearing Recently
Here's a run-down of the things that I've used repeatedly in the past week or two! I'm on a drive to rotate through older makeup that I love but have neglected for awhile, and mix them in with newer things I'm testing for the purposes of review.
The It Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF40 I've reviewed. I do enjoy it, but I don't consider it a long-wear or oil-control foundation CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-89594989446429900992018-07-17T01:39:00.002+08:002018-07-17T10:53:40.594+08:00It Cosmetics CC+ Oil-free Matte SPF40 Review
One of the products that I was most excited about at the recent Sephora Press Day in Singapore was the Oil-free Matte version of It Cosmetics' bestselling CC+. Living in sunny Singapore, who wouldn't want a matte, oil-free, pore minimizing version of the full-coverage high-SPF skincare cream?
Even as someone with combination-dry skin, I was excited to try a more sweat-resistantCandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-37600428870350629742018-05-23T21:01:00.001+08:002018-05-25T18:03:28.516+08:00Maybelline Superstay 24H Liquid Foundation: Updated Formula Review
Maybelline Superstay 24H Foundation is reaching Singapore this June and will retail at Watsons, Guardians, SASAs, major
supermarkets and hypermarkets, selected departmental stores as well as e-tailers where Maybelline has an official presence for $24.90 per bottle.
The Superstay franchise has been buzzed about for a fair number of years now, and many of us in Asia - especially CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-58339111959838950852018-04-16T18:34:00.001+08:002018-04-17T21:34:21.862+08:00ETUDE House Colour Factory: Find A Perfect Lip Shade
Etude House recently launched their Colour Factory service at the spacious Wisma Atria boutique and I will honestly say it's something I'm VERY excited about because color-matching is something that confuses a lot of women.
If you love makeup and want to explore colors but are frequently confused what shades to pick cos some just look "off" on your skin while others seem to give you a CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-6546904461257810892018-03-30T12:38:00.001+08:002018-03-30T12:41:21.991+08:00Ultimate Indulgence: Les Merveilleuses Ladurée opens in Singapore on 4 April
If you're not a beauty fanatic, you might only think of macarons when you hear the name Ladurée. But 6 years ago, they did branch into the luxury makeup world with the launch of Les Merveilleuses Ladurée, when they caused hearts to flutter with the original rose petal blushes (since then frequently copied).
They've largely remained a niche brand, partly because of the price-point (S$105 CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-35993023303020907572018-03-12T17:57:00.003+08:002018-03-12T17:57:52.960+08:00My Diptyque Fragrances: Do Son, Tam Dao, and Fleur de Peau
For a perfume junkie, I have a rather modest Diptyque collection.
Just three scents that to me feel almost introspective and subtle for their respective genres. Just like the brand itself, they have a luxuriously subtle and easy-going charm. They need time to introduce themselves and surprise you.
I would describe Diptyque scents as straightforward in a way; they have a clear artistic CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5548870493707779733.post-41697175715912200942018-01-29T16:13:00.002+08:002018-01-29T16:13:25.777+08:00My Personal Unsung Hero Product: Pixi Glow Tonic
For all the testing I do, I realize I've never talked much about glycolic acid toners. Which is odd because I consider them an essential step at least 2-3 times a week to slough dead cells, reduce clogs, and enhance other skincare products if you want to keep your skin glowing and smooth and younger-looking.
For me, they are a superior replacement for physical scrubs and all those CandiceChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04002278605689496908noreply@blogger.com18