REVIEW: BEIGE Cosmetics Ampoule Glotint in How Coral

Hello everyone!

Korean beauty products have been all the rage since the early 2000s when the Hallyu wave took the world by storm with a succession of outstanding television series and idol groups. Despite noting that an increasing number of Korean beauty stores have been popping up at every corner of shopping malls in Singapore in recent years, I had never really jumped on the bandwagon and actively used any Korean makeup because the non-conformist in me forbade it. But lately they have grown so popular that it is becoming impossible to dodge their influence. You know what they say, if you can’t beat them, join them, right? So here I am, conforming to trends (albeit a very delayed one) and bringing you my first review on Korean makeup, starting from a lip product by BEIGE Cosmetics!

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

It is completely understandable if you haven’t heard of BEIGE Cosmetics, because I, too, did not until BNTnews sent me this press sample. Unlike huge brands like Laneige and Missha, BEIGE does not have any retail presence outside of South Korea (but they do have an Instagram handle catered to Singapore customers) and from what I know, they mostly operate out of their online store. It is a relatively new label owned by lifestyle brand CHUU which also runs a fashion line. Even so, BEIGE already has an impressive selection of products ranging from eye shadow palettes to foundation sticks. Check out their catalogue here!

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

Stored and delivered in a clear slider seal bag, the Ampoule Glotint combines the best of both worlds to give the lustre of lip gloss and the sheer stain of lip tint. It comes with a special triangular applicator to allow for a more precise and effortless application each time.

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

BEIGE Ampoule Glotint in #133 How Coral

I don’t have any swatch comparisons to show as I hardly buy lip glosses or tints, but as you can see from the pictures above, the Glotint delivers an intense splash of oriental orange-red with fairly strong coverage – what you would not expect from your typical lip glosses. When applied only on the inner side of the lips, the lipstick bleeds (a little) nicely towards the outer edge to give a more natural looking colour. It applies thick and has a slight citrus smell which I could even detect with my mouth (wait, am I a snake or something).

The Glotint leaves a long-lasting watery sheen that doesn’t appear oily. It locks in moisture to nourish lips that are prone to drying and cracking, so the lips feel nothing but comfort throughout the wear. It a lot less sticky than gloss (still has the sticky sensation but not as much) and hence low adhesive power. Thus, the colour does not last through eating or drinking as it comes off very easily.

What do you think about this lip gloss and tint hybrid? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Thanks for reading 🙂

Beige Ampoule Glotint is AVAILABLE on chuu for 17,900 won / US$22.
DISCLAIMER: PRODUCT FEATURED IS A PRESS SAMPLE BUT OPINIONS, AS ALWAYS, ARE MY OWN.

Infrared Therapy and Remedy at Rexults medSpa

SPONSORED

Hello everyone!

In this day and age of fast-paced lives, we are constantly confronted with overwhelming responsibilities and workplace challenges, so much so that it may be too much for our body to handle and gradually, it starts to show signs of distress. But more often than not we choose to turn a blind eye to these symptoms, perhaps because of commitments, and put ourselves at risk of many health problems such as depression and heart diseases. Hence, it’s important that we reward our body the good lovin’ it deserves before our health takes a turn for the worse.

How, you may ask. Of course, there are many ways in which you can unwind that doesn’t cost a single dime, like taking a peaceful sunset walk along the beach or going for a swim. But this one is for the sun-hating professionals who are ever feeling lethargic from work and in dire need of some reinvigorating. If that describes you, then be sure to check out Rexults medSpa at Orchard Road.

(If the name rings a bell, that’s because I had earlier reviewed its sister company Rexults Clinic, just directly opposite Rexults medSpa on the same level of Tong Building. Read my Liposonix experience at Rexults Clinic here!)

Rexults medSpa

Rexults medSpa

Walking into Rexults medSpa instantly gave me a feeling different from what I experienced on my first visit to Rexults Clinic. The dimly-lit interiors of the medSpa, in contrast to the illuminated waiting area at the clinic, provided a calming effect even before I embarked on any therapy. Although the doors of Rexults medSpa were only recently opened by its founder & director Mrs Elizabeth Wong in 2014, the venue was home to Renewal Day Spa which had occupied the same premises since 1994 (the first of its kind day spa in Singapore introduced by Mrs Wong).  In observing that today’s generation of people are subjected to high levels of stress, have unhealthy eating habits, and are exposed to a more polluted and ozone-depleting environment, Mrs Wong thought it was the perfect time to let people into a place that would address these bad effects of modern city living.

Rexults medSpa

Rexults medSpa

With more than 20 years of experience under her belt, Mrs Wong is truly considered one of the pioneers in Singapore’s spa industry. Her expertise, knowledge and understanding of the various types of spas worldwide has paved the way for the first-ever unique medSpa concept in Singapore. Using the latest scientific breakthroughs in ingredients and medical-grade equipment to boot, it provides specific set of therapies that focused on advanced aesthetics and bodyworks – all designed to combat health issues resulting from stressful urban lifestyle and at the same time help you enhance your skin health and well-being.

Rexults medSpa

Rexults medSpa

Be treated to a luxurious and therapeutic medSpa experience accompanied by the unparalleled skill and expertise of the therapists who uphold a high benchmark in service skills, grooming and etiquette – a hallmark of professionalism that Rexults medSpa prides themselves in possessing. You can rest assured that you will be well taken care of by the therapists, so just sit back and let them do their magic.

Consultation room

Consultation room

Following a consultation with one of the Client Care Manager at Rexults medSpa who wanted to know more about my lifestyle, healthy habits (or lack thereof) and concerns, I was scheduled a week later for a 30-minute Infrared Therapy for the body and a 90-minute Remedy for the skin (i.e. face). Do allow up to an hour of buffer time for changing, showering and other post-therapy activities.

Corridor of rooms

Corridor of rooms

Ah, yes, I was required to shower before and after the Infrared Therapy in a very spacious restroom. They have practically everything one would need to clean and prink herself there – hairdryer, hairbrush, cotton pads, moisturiser, cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and more I haven’t discovered.

In the restroom - changing room (left) and shower room

In the restroom – changing room (left) and shower room

Huuuge dressing table

Huuuge dressing table

Thereafter, I was brought to another room to have my blood pressure checked to ensure that I was fit enough for the Infrared Therapy. I like that everything was done in a systematic manner because not only do I feel that my safety is of the medSpa’s utmost importance, it also speaks volumes about their professionalism.

The Infrared Therapy (u.p. S$95) heats the body directly (as opposed to the air) in a sauna that uses soothing dry far infrared heat, a treatment that is completely safe and will never inflict burns to the skin.  Since the (naked) body would be sweating excessively, the body eventually feels a tad lighter because calories are burnt throughout the 30-minute session. Besides, it also removes toxins and reduces inflammation and is proven to assist in pain relief as well as improving blood circulation and skin rejuvenation.

Infrared therapy sauna room

Infrared therapy sauna room

What sets the Infrared Therapy from other spas are the added features of LED lighting for improved skin rejuvenation benefits and music to make the experience most enjoyable.

Blue lighting

Blue lighting

The sauna is equipped with a countdown timer, a semi-hard bed and a towel to dry yourself. Heat is generated through the mesh panel at all four corners to guarantee perspiration within the first 5 minutes. Being rather tolerant towards heat, my first beads of sweat only formed after the 15-minute mark and before I knew it, my whole body was already engulfed in perspiration. In spite of that, the whole session was painless and relaxing and I found myself taking a short nap soon after.

I was only awoken by a staff who checked on me from outside the room to make certain that I didn’t faint midway through the process. The sauna experience was phenomenal – I was more refreshed and my skin also felt more supple after the therapy.

Post-Infrared Therapy

Post-Infrared Therapy

After taking a quick shower, I was ushered to another room for my next therapy, Remedy (u.p. S$220). Remedy is a full service face therapy that protects the skin from negative effects of pollution, stress and sun damage which would lead to acne, early aging, dehydrated skin and dull and sallow complexion. Prior to your face therapy, your therapist will invite you to select from a menu ranging from cool jazz to cool exotica to play while the therapy is under way. On top of that, you also get to bask in your preferred colour of LED lighting in the treatment room. I wanted a beach-like atmosphere with not-so-glaring light so I opted for blue LED lighting and spa sense music (sounds of crashing waves and seagulls).

List of songs to choose from:

cool jazz – instrumental jazz ballads
beatitude – music for the soul and heart
romance – soft instrumentals for romantics
spa sense – lush soothing spa music
cool exotica – slow world music beats
chill out – calm ambient contemporary slow beats

List of colours of LED lighting to choose from:

blue, bluish-green, yellow, orange, purple, red, green

Face treatment room

Face treatment room (with blue lighting)

That blissful look which plastered my face when the therapist massaged and cleansed my face at the same time

That blissful look which plastered my face when the therapist massaged and cleansed my face at the same time

 

 

Remedy begins with double cleansing and followed by Microdermabrasion to exfoliate and suck up dead skin cells. This was done so that the skin would be more receptive to the deep infusion of a high performance antioxidant Rexults moisturising serum. Unlike my previous Microdermabrasion experiences, the suction power of the system was strong enough to make me feel that my pores were being unclogged.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion

No matter which beauty parlour you visit for facials, you are bound to be subjected to some form of discomfort from the dreaded extraction process. Rexults medSpa is no exception, but the pain I felt was especially bearable and there wasn’t a single time I flinched in agony. This was definitely unexpected considering that the last time I had extraction was four months ago (that’s how much I hate it) which I believe is more than enough time for tons of blackheads to accumulate on the face. The process was done professionally, chop-chop, so it went by in a blink of an eye.

With my pores emptied, they were now virtually ready to absorb anything that is applied on my face. The therapist proceeded to lay a piece of penetrable fabric and a thick coat of green-coloured mask above it. The application process was so enjoyable (imagine having your face caressed with a feather – the exact same feeling) that I drifted off to sleep once again.

The last part of the facial therapy

The last part of the facial therapy

Face mask application

Face mask application

Throughout the entire therapy, I was repeatedly surprised with soothing massages on the face after each segment was completed. Still, nothing beats the ultimate neck and shoulder massage I received towards the end to effectively relieved my tense muscles. Eye serum and tinted sunblock were finally applied on my hydrated face to conceal any redness (there was close to none in the first place, very surprisingly). Although the therapy lasted for a little more than 2 hours, I felt no time had passed at all.

Immediately after the face therapy, with tinted sunblock on. Notice the redness? Me neither!

Immediately after the face therapy, with tinted sunblock on. Notice the redness? Me neither!

Bare-faced, taken on the day after the therapy (pardon my just-woke-up look)

Bare-faced, taken on the day after the therapy (pardon my just-woke-up look)

The next day I woke up to a much softer and smoother face. My skin was just recovering from an acne outbreak (hence, those awful scars) triggered by my previous menstrual cycle and the therapies had visibly reduced most of the pores.

Rexults medSpa has kindly offered a special rate for my readers who are interested to try out BOTH therapies featured above. Trust me, the price is not going to be anything that will make you scrimp and save for the rest of the month. In fact, I think even tertiary students who are earning a decent amount of income would be able to afford it too.

**FIONASEAH.COM READER PERKS**

Enjoy your first trial of Remedy face therapy (U.P. S$220) with a complimentary 30-minute Infrared Therapy worth S$95 at only S$68.

(That’s a ridiculous discount of S$247! You wouldn’t be able to find such a price at a renowned medSpa especially in a prime location like Orchard Road)

Limited to new clients only. Offer is valid until 31st December 2016. Prior appointment and booking is required. 

To make an appointment, please call +65 66532979. Remember to quote my blog to enjoy this irresistible offer!

Should you have any enquiries, do not hesitate to raise them with the friendly therapists who are always very happy to clear your doubts 🙂

Thanks for reading, gorgeous people!

Rexults medSpa

302 Orchard Road ⋅ #17-02 ⋅ Tong Building ⋅ Singapore 238862
(Beside Paragon)
For appointments and enquiries, please call +65 66532979
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REVIEW: MAC x Brooke Candy II Lipstick in Witching Hour

Hello everyone!

American rapper and singer Brooke Candy returns to MAC with a full beauty line comprising an array of products for the eyes, lips and nails. In case you didn’t know, she had an online-exclusive mini collection last year that saw the launch of two lipsticks and a liquid eyeliner so she’s definitely not new to this business.

MAC Brooke Candy II

MAC Brooke Candy II

If you hadn’t manage to lay your hands on anything from her introductory collection, fret not, because one of the previously released lipstick shades (Mind Control) as well as the liquid eyeliner will be made available again and this time, you can buy them off the shelves in Singapore too!

MAC X Brooke candy ii Collection Information, Product Availability and Prices in Singapore

Lipsticks (S$34) – Mind Control, Witching Hour, Doo-Wop & Whirl
Lip Pencils (S$34) – Night Crawler & Whirl
Vamplify (S$40) – Till Death Do Us Part & Pamela
Bronzing Powder (S$48) – Golden
M.A.C Studio Eye Gloss (S$45) – WhiteYin & BlackYang
Liquid Eye Liner (S$39) – Boot Black
Haute & Naughty Lash (S$38) – Haute & Naughty Black
M.A.C. Studio Nail Lacquer (S$26) – Madame Candy & Black Stallion

For product description, please refer to MACCosmetics.com

Apart from Mind Control, the other repromoted lipstick is Whirl (review here) which is one of the most highly sought-after shades of all time, mostly popularised by Kylie Jenner who had used the same colour as a lip liner to create her signature pout. It is so immensely popular that stocks were quickly snapped up like hot cakes when it was first released as part of The Matte Lip collection in 2015. This time, history repeats itself and Whirl is once again wiped off the shelves online.

Doo-Wop and Witching Hour make their debut in this collection in a less-than-unique shade of pink and purple but nevertheless in a matte finish (and not some lustre rubbish again yay) that is, on the whole, well-pigmented and neither hydrating nor drying.

I was allowed a sneak peek at the collection a few weeks back and had managed to swatch all the products at the back of my hand. For this review I will give particular attention to the lipsticks because I know you guys adore them as much as I do ❤

From left: Doo-Wop, Mind Control, Witching Hour & Whirl

From left: Doo-Wop, Mind Control, Witching Hour & Whirl

Bottom labels

Bottom labels

MAC Brooke Candy II

MAC Brooke Candy II

Although the mattes appear a lot drier than Mind Control which has an amplified creme finish, they do not tug at the skin and instead, apply rather smoothly and evenly. The colours are generally wearable and carefully picked out to match different skin tones. Still, those who have been following my blog would know my preference for unusual and quirky lipstick shades so I was absolutely thrilled to be receiving Witching Hour to review on 🙂

MAC Brooke Candy

MAC Brooke Candy

MAC Brooke Candy

MAC Brooke Candy

In contrast to the first Brooke Candy collection, special efforts are made to the packaging in this latest lineup with products encased in a reflective box and tube adorned with black and grey paint splatters. The improvement in packaging, however, also meant a slight increase in price as the lipsticks now cost US$18 each, up from US$17 the last time.

Witching Hour is a rich purple with Matte finish (US$18 / S$34)

Witching Hour is a rich purple with Matte finish (US$18 / S$34)

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

MAC Witching Hour

Wearing this lipstick gave me a sense of déjà vu as I felt like I had worn something very similar. Witching Hour delivers a semi-glossy and creamy purple without drying out and gives a mostly opaque coverage in two coats. It doesn’t seep into the lip lines so it is relatively easy to remove. With all these qualities, it’s almost hard to believe that this is a matte lipstick. But the consistency somewhat disappoint me as some parts of colour appear noticeably blotchy.

MAC Witching Hour - swatch comparison

MAC Witching Hour – swatch comparison

A-HA! Once again my intuition has been proven right (being a lipstick hoarder certainly has it upsides like the ability to identify a dupe right away LOL). If you’ve bought the purple lipstick from the MAC x Nasty Gal collection, don’t bother getting Witching Hour because Gunner is an exact duplicate of it.

What are your thoughts about this collection? Chime away in the comments below!

Thanks for reading 🙂

MAC x Brooke Candy collection is now available on MACCosmetics.com and at 313@Somerset, Bugis Junction, Ngee Ann City and Tangs at Tangs Plaza.