Perricone MD OVM - Eggsellent Anti-Aging Serum

A very corny heading to very serious skincare product. OVM was launched at Sephora at the end of last year and a few weeks earlier on the Perricone MD site. I received mine for review a few weeks back and am now ready to share my thoughts with you. This product is a new innovation, which takes thinking 'out of the box' to new heights. In the past Dr Perricone has focused many of his products on Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE, of which I am a huge fan. Then came his Blue Plasma range (formula 15 and other Perricone lovelies) and now OVM. This unique product works on re-energising the skin and adding volume, which as you age, is lost. The idea behind the product, is based on how the membrane that surrounds an egg nourish's and protects the egg yolk and white within. OVM was born. It is described as "A bio-matrix technology with  Eggshell Membrane that delivers unparalleled anti-aging benefits." It sounds sci-fi, but grounded in real science!

OVM has become an integral part of my morning skincare routine. after cleansing and toning, I apply this light serum, and then follow up with Perricone MD Photo Plasma. The texture reminds me of a frothy whipped yolk. It is slightly tacky upon application , which then disappears. It had a fresh scent, that I find pleasant and does not linger. It has a combination of Eggshell membrane, DMAE and Retinol as the key ingredients. I have had no irritation at all, even with the inclusion of retinol in the product. I classify it as a serum, as it is a targeted product that precedes my moisturiser.

I love my little white jar of goodness. I have definitely seen a fullness and density return to my skin. That elusive plumpness that I see in my daughters skin, I can now see emerging in my own. I have hardly made a dent in use of this products and can say it will last a good few months. Hurrah for that!
What new wonder products have you started recently?

Introducing : Surratt Artistique eyeshadow in Soie, Cuivre, Patine, Ombre and the sweet Artistique blush in Se Pomponner

On my agenda for Barney's revamped beauty floor (pristine white) was the Surratt counter. This fledgling brand was much hyped and likened to my favourite Japanese brands. This would make sense as the creator , Troy Surratt spend a lot a time in Japan perfecting his new line. It was really quite impossible to make choices in one visit, but I came away with a gorgeous palette of pretty neutrals, a 'pop' blush and a new love for Suratt. The single eyeshadows come in a slimline acrylic case with sliding top. I love the system where these can slide off and the pans are stuck into a bigger Surratt case to make your custom palette. I did mull over the price of the case, as I could have bought another shade or the case. I chose the case, of which I am glad, as I now have a portable Surratt mini look. My cheek shade is also housed in the compact for a complete story. I'm one happy girl!

There were quite a few all-over/highlight shades. I settled for Soie - a pretty pearlescent peach-toned champagne. I then chose Ombre - a matte muted taupe. This works so well as and all over wash or for adding definition to your crease (a workhorse shade). My favourite must have shade is Cuivre - a beautiful sepia with ultrafine rose gold sparkle.  Soie pairs very well with Cuivre. My 'deepen' shade is Patine - a muted dark grape which can read grey. This is shot through with a soft gold sparkle. Both sparkle components of Cuivre and Patine are really so fine. You cannot feel them and they meld with the shadows seamlessly. The texture of all the shadows are creamy and extremely similar to my Addiction by Ayako shadows (reviewed here and here). They blend like a dream and last the whole day, while remaining vibrant and crease free. I purchased Se Pomponner Artistique Blush. A candy pink colour, which shouts from the pan. It can however be softly applied with a soft, less dense blush brush (Suqqu) which allows the bright pigment to kiss the cheeks for a pretty flush.

L-R T-B Soie, Cuivre, Ombre, Patine, Se Pomponner

I think the Surratt shadow range has got so much to offer - neutrals, electric shades, sooty crease shades. This is coupled with sublime textures - matte, satin, iridescent, sparkle, While some shades might be dupable, the superb calibre of these shadows shine through. I wish I bought more!!! I will review the 2 Lipslique twisting lipsticks and Smokey Eye Baton I also purchased in the coming weeks. I wish I bought more! My wishlist for Surratt is already full - my other picks would be eyeshadows in Marron, Truffle, Enchantress,Brun Noir and Noir Le Plus Noir. If there is a fairy g-dmother for all things beauty...... I would take the whole 24 colour spectrum!

L-R Soie, Cuivre, Ombre, Patine,  Se Pomponner

Applied wet

Textures captured

Note: I have named this with the prefix "Introducing" - this series will show new brands, new products and new launches - we will see how it evolves. If it become redundant it will become redundant.

With Love
MR
xx

Urban Decay Naked Palette 3 ......no..maybe.....definitely!?

Naked 3 has been blogged about into infinity. I had made up my mind that this Naked palette was a miss for me. I reach for my other Naked friends, 1 and 2 only when I remember I own them. This is not because I do not like them, but there seems to be other pretties that I love more. I arrived a day or two after they were released at Sephora. Stock was ample so I begrudgingly swatched them whenever I happened upon a Sephora ( ok I fess up, there was one below my hotel:)) I was not blown away by my initial playing. I was unsure whether I wanted it because everyone else wanted or if I thought it was good. A week later, stock had dwindled to a few per store. By them I had set my mind on other acquisitions........ or so I thought. There is a saying "there is the quick.... and then there is the hungry" - well, by the time I think, I thought, I might WANT the palette, they were sold out. From the Sephora near Union Square, to near Bloomingdales, or below my hotel - nada, zero, squat. I talked myself into thinking I was 'Ok' and it was just meant to be. A near-to-last-final visit to a Sephora on 97th and Columbus made my heart swoon. One lone palette waiting for me!

This is my favourite Naked palette. The palette is a mix of Rose, Rose Gold, and Rosy Taupes . The overall Rosy hues are modern and feminine. These shades are all new so no repeats if you are an Urban Decay Junkie. They are well pigmented and last well throughout the day. There are shades to use all over, to line,  to highlight, to add depth in the crease and outer V. There are 3 mattes, 4 sparkly shades, 5 buttery metallics. These rose nature does not make my eyes look irritated , but cool and sophisticated!

L-R Strange, Dust, Burnout, Limit, Buzz, Trick

Nooner, Liar, Factory, Mugshot, Darkside, Blackheart

For those who might have pondered "what next?" after Naked 2 - after seeing Naked 3, this really seems like the natural progression that the Naked series needed to make. I was so close to missing out on this Palette, but fate stepped in! I did not want to be pulled into the hype of the Naked 3 palette. In this case, I am glad I took another look just in time!

Have u succumbed to the Naked allure?

Best of the Best 2013

Happy New Year to my fellow makeup lovers! 2013 is now over and 2014 has presented itself in all its sunny glory . I have really loved all the discoveries I have made in 2013 in both skincare and makeup. It is quite impossible to narrow choices down, but I have made an attempt to mention my most loved and often used products.

The best cleanser:

• Eve Lom Cleanser

My favourite eye treatment:

• Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex

The best innovation of 2013:

• Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheers

The best creative product of 2013:

• Shu Uemura x Takashi Black Parallel Palette

The best tinted moisturiser:

• Chantecaille Just Skin

The best sheer foundation

• Giorgio Armani Maestro fusion makeup/ Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup

The best medium founadation

• Giorgio Armani Luminous Sheer Foundation

The Best primer:

• Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

My favourite eyeshadows of 2013:

• Tom Ford
• Suqqu
• Charlotte Tilbury
• Shu Uemura.............and Addiction by Ayako - My favourite makeup category!

The best cream cheek colour:

• Chanel Le Blush Creme De Chanel

The best Bronzer :

• Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Days

The best illuminating Powder:

• Guerlain Crazy 68 meteorite illuminating compact

The best powder blush:

• Burberry
• Tom Ford

The best highlighter  :

• Charlotte Tilbury Bronze and Glow Duo

The best body cream :

• Kiehl's creme de corps soy milk & honey whipped body butter

The best makeup remover:

• Bioderma

The best skin treatment product

• Dr Perricone Formula 15

The best moisturizer :

• Dr Perricone Deep Moisture Therapy

The best contour product:

• Tom Ford shade and illuminate

My favourite hair care products:

• Kerastase Bain Force Architecte

The best pencil eyeliners:

• Tom Ford Eye Defining Pencil / Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N Kohl

The Best Liquid Liner 

• Charlotte Tilbury The Feline Flick

My favourite mascara:

• Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Excess

My favourite under eye concealer:

• Charlotte Tilbury The Retoucher
• Runner up - By Terry Touche Expert Advanced / Cle De Peau

The best sheer lipstick :

• YSL Volupte Shine Lipstick
• Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited

The best matte lipstick :

• Nars Satin Lip Pencils

The best creamy lipstick:

• Tom Ford
• Suqqu Bright Up

I was just on our annual family holiday to captivating New York!  So I have been out of the loop for a bit. While in New York I have made some wonderful discoveries of new, as well as good old (damn) fine products that I will share with you as the new year unfolds. I have shared with you some non-beauty related picture of this spellbinding metropolis.

xx

Makeupremastered

December Empties

I am proud :), to present another empties post. Proud , yes, as I find it hard to finish product. I'm not sure if I am not putting enough on , as I am sure the SA says "should last you 3 months" - 10 months later I am still smothering myself.

Perricone MD Nutritive Cleanser - a gel cleanser that gives a gentle cleanse to my oily skin. It does not foam up, but gives a fresh, non-stripped feeling to my skin. I will repurchase.

Perricone MD Firming Facial Toner - a refreshing toner with Glycolic, that gives my skin a tight revitalised feeling. Keeps my pores clear and gently sloughs of dead skin. I will repurchase.

This Works Clean Skin 5 - in - 1 water - I use this primarily to clean off my eyes and give my face a quick once over before I cleanse. This is almost an exact dupe for Bioderma. It is effective on all my eye makeup ( I do not wear much waterproof products) and is extremely gentle on my sensitive eyes. Many eye makeup removers make my eyes weep. Biorderma is easier to get so I have not repurchased.

Natura Bisse Oxygen Mousse - I was disappointed with this cleanser. It comes out the dispenser in a glorious foam . That's where the magic ends. A foaming cleanser like this should make your skin feel fresh and clean. I felt I need to wash after I used this. it did not leave a residue, but did not feel it thorougly cleansed my skin.

Skinceuticals Phloretin CF - This anti- oxidant treatment is a must have for sunny climates. Its lightweight and absorbs well. I will repurchase

Perricone MD Acyl Glutathione - This serum/cream is to treat deep creases. My mom swears by it. I am using it as a preventative treatment and feel it is keeping creases at bay. I have repurchased in the past, but now have a bottle of their Acyl- Glutathione Deep Crease serum to replace it with.

Bobbi Brown Instant Long-wear Makeup Remover - a good makeup remover. I do feel my Bioderma which is more economical works better even for Bobbi Brown's Long-wear eyeliner gel. I would repurchase if (horror) Bioderma became available.

I think I have made some good headway in finishing some products. My next wish would to hit some Pan, to make me feel I am really working my products. Have you managed to use up any products - you can join me in a victory dance!

Holiday 2013 Roundup - Guerlain, Chanel and Shiseido

The end of year is rapidly approaching, with most holiday collections being released awhile back. Here is a roundup of the other Holiday items I purchased, while there is still a whiff of cinnamon and spice in the air . I have previously reviewed the gorgeous Shu Uemura holiday here and here. I have also featured the Three Holiday Winter Stardust Set here.

The SA's at the Chanel boutique went all out with their beautiful packaging. So elegant!

The Joues Contaste Powder blush for holiday 2013 is my first Chanel blush. Wow, what an introduction. It is a hybrid between a bronzer and rosy glow on my skin tone. It swatches with a sparkle, but this does not show on the the cheeks. My cheek bones are like KAPOW, once I apply this.

The now famous sponge like Illusion D' Ombre came in two shades of which I chose Fatal. This sultry berry shade really works for one of my favourite grunge lived in looks.

I missed out on last years Guerlain's Wulong spectacular, mainly as I did not want to part with the ridiculous amount they asked for it (blocked from my mind), but the Crazy Paris collection came with two pressed beauties. Above is Crazy Meteorites. A Radiance powder that is so silky smooth to the touch, applies sheer and leaves a veil of skin perfecting powder that blurs and enhances in all the right places.

This Crazy Terracotta compact was actually a second choice to the crazy meteorites. I am so glad I did not miss out. The same sublime texture as above. This 'healthy glow powder' really gives the cheeks a pretty flush.

Lastly, the Shiseido Eye Colour Bar - I nearly camped out for it, as only recently made it's appearance here. I am going to reserve judgment as I have had limited time to play with it. First impression: powder is silky in texture just like my Cle De Peau quads. The colour payoff on the few I have worn are more ethereal than saturated. Time will tell if I like this.

The look above shows the Chanel Illusion D' Ombre and Accent Joues Contraste Blush in action. A simple but effective look. 

Happy Holidays! I do have one or two posts planned before we go on our family holiday. If I do run out of time to finish, I apologise in advance, tis the Silly season as they say!

xxx MR

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G 'Fallen from the lipstick tree' in Penelope Pink

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G 'Fallen From The Lipstick Tree' was launched with her quintessential line. I love her whole rock chick vibe - so I was keen to get a real nude lipstick which is missing from my own collection. She has 2 nude lipsticks - Nude Kate and Penelope Pink. I went with the safer Penelope Pink, as I thought Nude Kate might give me dead lips.

Housed in a pretty rose gold case, in keeping with the Filmstar Bronze and Glow palette, which has an art deco feel. The formula is very nice. I have to say that this is a very comfortable formula, yet there is nothing that makes it stand out from other high-end brands. Tom Ford, Burberry and Armani make more creamier and more hydrating formula's. Suqqu wins hands down - yet no suitable nude like this one in their colour range. I cannot say that this shade is totally unique, but I can say it is a nude without draining the colour from my face. One might be able to match Penelope Pink with one of the new nudes from the Armani CC lipsticks. I love to wear this colour paired with any of my Charlotte Tilbury Luxury palettes. It works well with a smokey eye, colourful eye and a simple feline flick. I would actually love to try Nude Kate and really push the rock chick look!

In a nutshell - I love the nude shade. I like the formula. I think the colour range is genius and in keeping with the idea of achieving a particular look from the Glamour Muse to the Sophisticate. Have you tried the lipstick from Charlotte Tilbury collection and what are your thoughts?

MR xx