Hi hi, this will be an entry featuring a couple of products I received, just as I was getting ready to leave the house for my driving lesson, so I thought, ok, why not incorporate them into my makeup routine, and take some pictures along the way. It was only after I came back that I read the product information and all that details. And because I was in a little of a rush, I shall just call this my 5 minutes look, no brows, no eyemakeup, heck, I didn't even use concealer, because my spots have been clearing up, and the foundation alone is able to cover most blemishes.
I will be showing you how I applied both products, and my intial thoughts on each of them, followed by detailed product information.
COSME DECORTE AQ
Compact Powder N
In 2 shades <Refills in 2 shades> S$153
I used this as a setting powder to my foundation, and in keeping with the same brand, I used Cosme Decorte Essence control base which I purchased during the KOSE sale, and also the Cosme Decorte cream foundation which I received a while back.
Instead of the puff which comes with the compact, I used a MAC powder brush to dust the powder on my face. The shade I am using is 001, and it has a translucent finish, making my face look fairer than usual. This is definitely more suitable for fair-skinned ladies if you don't want to end up looking ashy. The powder is also very finely milled and pressed, and adds a soft radiant finish to my face.
In the half-faced experiment shown below, you can see the difference before and after using the powder. My face looks a little fairer, smoother and fresh. And I must say, it stayed this way throughout the hot afternoon, and despite sitting in a air-conditioned car for a few hours, my face didn't feel tight nor turn oily -- am very impressed with the 'feel' of this powder. I have used and tried my fair share of powders, and this is definitely one of the better ones I have used.
And a closer look of the oveall skin texture after I powdered the whole face.
It didn't feel heavy powdery at all despite the fact that I was rather heavy handed in the application.
Next, is a powder blush from Esprique.
ESPRIQUE PRECIOUS Gradation Layer Cheeks
Refill Colour :$35 Case: $15
I tried swatching each of these shades, but they didn't turn out too well on my hands, so I shall show a face application instead.
The casing is very girly with the crystal-shaped embossing details on the cover.
You need to use a smaller brush (or the one that comes inside the compact) to reach each of the colors in the palette. There is something for everyone. A pale gold highlighting shade, a soft shimmery coral shade, a slightly glittery light pink shade, and finally a darker plum shimmery shade (reminds me of NARS Sin with bigger gold shimmer bits).
Even though my brush didn't seem to pick up much powder, the color payoff is pretty decent. It is buildable, which means you can pick up more product if you want a more obvious pop of color on your cheeks. I also used the lightest highlight shade at the top of my cheeks and you can see just right there, a spot of glowiness going on. I like how it gives my naturally rosey cheeks a natural touch of colour. Nothing very pow-wow, but totally great if you want to freshen up the color on your cheeks.
And one more close up shot of the overall cheeks and face look -- I didn't fill in my brows, no concealer, and just some lipstick. Very fresh, and if I may add, young, and clean. After all, I am just heading out for my driving lesson, lunch and perhaps some random roaming about and back home.
Product information:
COSME DECORTE AQ
Compact Powder N
In 2 shades <Refills in 2 shades> S$153
Why is it $153?
Use of active ingredients:
• Birch Water (moisturizes) • Chimaphila Umbellate Leaf Extract (moisturizes)
• DLF [Rice bran extract] (moisturizes) • Vitamin B6 Derivative (moisturizes)
• Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate (moisturizes) • White Lily Extract (moisturizes)
• Poria Cocos Extract (moisturizes) • Rose Hip Oil (emollient) • Safflower Oil (emollient)
Use of innovation and technology:
New material Sculpturing Powder is very light but the texture of the powder is moist. Although they are super-fine particles, each particle has the structure to bond each other, which realized the miraculous powder, i.e., pressed but soft.
It contains luxe ingredient --- the Gold Colloid powder
The super fine Gold Colloid Powder particles flexibly stay on the skin and softly reflect the light to help skin appear clear and beautifully contoured. Gold Colloid Powder is contained in all the AQ products. This powder reflects the light in different colors such as purple and gold according to the angle and therefore skin looks as if dressed in a noble aura. The resonance of the two kinds of wonderful powders helps your skin stay perfectly clear, sharp and noble.
My thoughts:
It is really quite an indulgent product, for the price, and it is a 10g powder, much more expensive than my La Mer powder. That said, I have been getting very curious and interested to try out all these luxe and niche makeup products (my byTerry lemming, for eg) and while I am not too sure I will purchase this on my own, I will be using it for a longer period, and let you know how I feel about it after some more time. And if there is anything I want from Cosme Decorte, would be their loose powder (abt $183 for 30g), I have tried it during the makeup workshop, and I am considering getting it for myself soon. I am on a loose powder kick lately.
Product information:
ESPRIQUE PRECIOUS Gradation Layer Cheeks
Refill Colour :$35 Case: $15
This blush palette promises to help you create the illusion of a smaller prettier face, using the double application method (which you can see in the pictures below).
01 Coral Red
That's all, and I hope you find this entry helpful!
Thanks for looking!
ps Cosme Decorte and Esprique products were given to me for consideration. All opinions expressed here are my own honest ones.
Overall thoughts on the primer:
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