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It's a few days early, but... Kung Hei Fat Choy!  Happy Chinese New Year!


There's a Chinese saying that says the entire year's work depends on its beginning.  It's so true, which is why we make new years resolutions, to prepare ourselves for a great year ahead.  I might not be able to help with all the plans you have ahead.  But for beauty-wise, let me share a few of my favourite tips to help you kickstart the Year of Horse with a few of Benefit's bestsellers in Asia.

Kickstart the Year of Horse with Benefit Cosmetics! Kung Hei Fat Choy! & Giveaway

January 27, 2014 • , , , , , • 8 comments
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Thought we were out of the Polar Vortex but it hits again.  It was -20 ~ -30 degree Celsius over here in Canada.  Since I'm not getting a southern island escape, I've got helped from Revlon Nail Art Sun Candy to try to bring some Sunshine in my life.

Revlon Nail Art Sun Candy is Heating Things Up with their Vibrant Hues | Review, Photos & Swatches

January 23, 2014 • , , , , , , , , • 11 comments
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This Spring, Dior is nailing it with their Trianon Édition Collection.  Available at Sephora now and coming to all counters on January 30, the new collection features a beauty rosy coral blush with a pretty and cute bow embossment and a limited edition 5 colour pastel eyeshadow palette.  They're also bringing on the bright lips to prep for the summer and delicious floral hues for the nails.  Not to mention a limited edition shade for a cult fave, Dior Lip Glow.

"This collection can be defined by its desire to divert Dior, disrupting and pushing it to a place where lyrical romanticism can be dangerous; there where the most beautiful rose garden seems poisonous," —Raf Simons, Creative Director of Christian Dior.





Diorshow Fusion Mono Matte (CA $32 / US $30)
  • 091 Nocturne
  • 761 Mirage
  • 641 Fantaisie
  • 121 Celeste (LE)


Dior 5-Couleurs Trianon Édition in 234 Pastel Fontages (LE) (CA $62 / US $61)


Dior Backstage Primer (CA $30 / US $28)


Dior Pore Minimizer (CA $42)

Dior Glow Maximizer (CA $42)


Diorblush Trianon Édition in 763 Corail Bagatelle (LE) (CA $44)


Dior Addict Lip Glow in Coral, LE (CA $35)


Dior Addict Lip Gloss, LE (CA $31 / $29.50)
  • 442 Pétillante
  • 772 Exquise
Rouge Dior, LE (CA $36)
  • 531 Rose Crinoline
  • 774 Allégresse

Dior Shimmering Matte Effect Top Coat in 197 Perlé (LE) (CA $26)

Dior Vernis (LE) (CA $26 / US $24)
  • 204 Porcelaine
  • 457 Bouquet
  • 777 Bloom



Also new this year is an addition to their Capture Totale line—Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin (CA $115 / US $110). Dior says their scientists have spent over 1000 hours and conduct hundreds of trials to formulate this new treatment to achieve "an immediate ultra-natural finish for all skin types and tones while fighting against signs of aging". The expected results after regular use of Dream skin are firmer, plumper and smoother skin, as well as radiant and youthful glowing skin.

"This breakthrough formula features a combination of optical active ingredients as well as the active biological ingredients from the Dior Gardens. Together, these ingredients work to immediately recreate beautiful skin on the surface while fighting deep down against wrinkles, redness, dark spots and loss of radiance over time." — Dior


I have major soft spot for a beautiful blush, especially one with a bow embossment, so I deem that this blush would be a must check out item in the collection.  The Dior lip colours also look extra delicious, as always.  I have used Dior makeup for a long time but have never actually tried their lipsticks and lip glosses... maybe I'm missing out.  I'm also very curious about the Shimmering Matte Effect: How can it be shimmery and matte? I need to swatch.  As for Capture Totale, it's an interesting idea because it claims to produce a homogenous colour that will blend with your skin and blurs imperfection after applied.  I wonder if it's like BB or CC creams out there.

What about you? Which product from this collection intrigues you?

Until next time,


x Rica

Dior Trianon Edition Collection for Spring 2014 & Capture Totale Dream Skin | Beauty News

January 22, 2014 • , , , , • 9 comments
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Remember when we all fell head over heels for the Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliqués?  This dream collaboration has done it again and this time for something that could last more permanently, beauty tools! I got a chance to preview some of the items before the holidays at Tips Nail Bar (that was recently moved and the new location was fabulous!). There were cookies, hors d'oeuvres, nail polishes, manicures, sketch artist, and of course, the Revlon by Marchesa Beauty Tools





Revlon by Marchesa Beauty Tool Collection are the tools you want to collect! | Beauty News

January 17, 2014 • , , , , , , , , , , • 13 comments
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Inspired by Asian calligraphy, Shu Uemura is introducing a brand new liquid eyeliner–Calligraph:ink–that will be available starting March 2014 at Holt Renfrew, Hudson's Bay & selected Sephora stores or online at shuuemura.ca in Canada.  For US, it will be available on shuuemura-usa.com.  This liner has a brush tip similar to a calligraphy brush that would allow you to draw lines as thin as 0.5mm to as thick as 2.0mm in a single stroke.  Shu Uemura believes the eye is the central element of make up and the heart of beauty.  Therefore, they want to create an eyeliner that would make drawing eyeliner easy.

"The most difficult makeup technique is drawing lines, in particular the eye lines. You need to draw precisely on eyelids that are soft and mobile, as well as to express changes in dynamism and texture, just like calligraphy.

Calligraph:ink eyeliner has made drawing lines easy for all, from beginners to professionals. As an Asian expert on eye, Shu Uemura invites you to discover different eye lining techniques for different looks, moods and impact." – Kakuyasu Uchiide, International Artistic Director of Shu Uemura

Along with the release of Calligraph:ink, the collection also come with 5 complimentary shades that would emphasize the intense calligraphy black of the liner.  No Shu Uemura is complete without false lashes, they are also collaborating with PAPERSELF for the first time to create exclusive designs of paper false lashes to this collection.

calligraph:ink eye liner - permanent
  • liquid eyeliner refillable applicator (CA $24)
  • liquid eyeliner cartridge (CA $22)
pressed eyeshadow (CA $19) (from T to B, L to R)
  • S light beige 815
  • ME vermillion 252
  • S dark brown 884
  • G beige 821
  • S medium brown 853
paperlashes (CA $36) - LE (from T to B)
  • cupid angel
  • love lasts forever
After seeing Uchiide-san's demo on Calligraph:ink, I'm convinced that I need that liner in my life. Maybe I won't be able to apply eyeliner from the wing like he did (oh yeah, it was magical), but it sounds like it would give me a great control over eyelining and I need that in the morning after only 5 hours sleep and trying not to mess up my eyeliner, again.  I can't wait when it comes out!

Until next time,


x Rica

Shu Uemura Calligraph:ink Collection for Spring & Spring 2014 | Beauty News

January 14, 2014 • , , , , , , , , • 25 comments
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