Category: Uncategorized

Ciate – Olivia Palermo London Smokey Suedes Palette

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Price: $39

There used to be a time when I thought Ciate only made cute nail polishes. Pleasantly surprised to find that wasn’t the case 🙂

smokeysuedes13smokeysuedes11I snagged this gorgeous palette in Sephora, during my visit to Palo Alto last Christmas.

Having spent the holidays splurging on gifts, I almost returned it unused as I couldn’t justify myself buying another palette. But in the midst of Christmas and New Years with the holiday cheer rising, the guilty return trip was “conveniently” forgotten.

smokeysuedes1There seems to be two eyeshadow palettes in this collection: the Smokey Suedes and the Smouldering Eye. They’re beautiful palettes; both look like tiny black-gold clutches. Compact, pouch-friendly, travel-friendly, large mirror (proportion-wise).

I have to admit, I initially chose this because I figured it’d look pretty in my pouch. (Hence, the guilt.)

Plus, there was only one left in the store, prompting me to note its desirability.

smokeysuedes2There are three claims written on the back of the palette:

  • Highly blendable colour with a silky suede texture
  • Rich and densely pigmented with a weightless finish,
  • Covetable mirrored compact case

Out of those three claims, I will only question the “highly” in the “highly blendable colour.” But before delving into that, more pictures:

smokeysuedes3It’s gorgeous is what it is. The gold words on film are:

“Seriously soft-touch suede eye shadow in my personal favourite shades for beautifully smokey eyes. – Olivia Palermo -“

smokeysuedes12Here’s the ingredient list, for anyone who’s interested.

smokeysuedes4My heart flutters just looking at those pans. It’s nice how the shadow squares maximize area use by not leaving any space for wanting.

I initially worried that fallout might muddy up the colors, but so far (1 month of usage), it hasn’t been that big of a deal.

smokeysuedes5Bummed that these shadows aren’t named in the palette. I realize that there’s no space, but I’d have sacrificed a little shadow for those names.

Swatches:

  • Shaken_ Mustard Yellow/Gold Shimmer
  • Verde_ Grey-black with green shimmer
  • Whoopie Pie_ Light reddish brown matte
  • Glazed _ Burnt Toffee with shimmer
  • Prosecco _ Wheat-gold shimmer
  • Cocoa _ Mahogany Brown shimmer
  • Macchiato _ Light Mahogany matte
  • Plumberry_ Rosewood Brown Matte

smokeysuedes7(Sunlight shots. From bottom to top: Shaken, Verde, Whoopie Pie, Glazed, Prosecco, Cocoa, Macchiato, Plumberry)

This is one of those cases where “What you see in the pan is not what you’ll get.” The colors are more brown than taupe, contrary to what you’d think looking at the pans. With Verde, I was a teensy bit disappointed as I was looking for a brighter, greener hue. Verde will look green-ish in direct light, but it’s more black/grey than green.

But that Wheat-gold in Prosecco; my heart palpitates just looking at that color.

(Just noticed I missed “Butler,” the one with the ribbon engraving! I’ll upload it later)

smokeysuedes8(With Flash. From left to right: Shaken, Verde, Whoopie Pie, Glazed, Prosecco, Cocoa, Macchiato, Plumberry)

You can tell Verde is green in direct light. Colors are buttery smooth, pigmented. The name “smokey suedes” fit them to a tee, as they feel like suede on the skin.

But because they’re all super-pigmented and textured in such a way to micmic suedes, they can blend muddy. That’s my only complaint. I’ve a feeling that these shadows are awfully easy to overdo, especially when you’re not trying to do a smoky look.

(Please note that I’m a complete sissy/newb when it comes to bold looks!)

smokeysuedes9This was my attempt at a bold look with this palette.

smokeysuedes10Yes, it is possible to create natural/neutral looks with this palette. But considering how clumsy I can be and how short on time I am on weekday mornings, it’ll be hard for me to reach for this daily. The Smokey Suedes will not be my go-to work makeup palette (like TF Natural Eyes or UD Naked3), but most likely a weekend palette, for a nice evening out or an experimental smokey.

Not the most versatile palette but a lovely one nevertheless.

I would recommend this to:

  • Someone looking to practice smokey eyes (or someone who rocks the smokey look daily)
  • Someone in need of a pouch/travel-friendly palette for less than $40.
  • Someone looking for a cute neutral-ish palette leaning bold

PS: Would you pick this up? What are your favorite go-to smoky palettes? 🙂

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[REVIEW] Tatcha – Polished Rice Enzyme Powder

Rice Enzyme Powder1

[Tatcha Polished – Classic/Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder]

Full Size: $65

Travel Size: $15

I first came across this baby when Sephora was offering the “polished” promo. That generous promo code got me one $15 travel-size rice enzyme powder, and ever since, I got hooked!

A back-up was a must. Luckily, Tatcha offers a “Complimentary travel size Rice Enzyme Powder with your first purchase” when you sign up for their newsletter. It’s like they read my mind. 

Rice Enzyme Powder2This was my Tatcha baby haul:

  • Travel Size Luminous Mist ($15)
  • Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder (Promo Code: WELCOMEGIFT)
  • 3 Free Sample Packets

I love love love it when luxury brands carry travel size. It allows an affordable option for everyone who wishes to trial the brand without breaking the bank. 

Shipping was swift enough; I ordered on Jan 24, got shipping confirmation on Jan 25, and received my products on Jan 28. Awesome free shipping, no minimum.

Rice Enzyme Powder3Rice Enzyme Powder4On a side note: one thing I adore about Tatcha is their luxurious packaging. Even the tape on the box is unique and in accordance to their brand. And doesn’t the abundance of purple just scream royalty? 

Although those days of purple signifying royalty are long past us, this whole color scheme still feels luxurious, at least to me. 🙂

tatcha rice powder5There are four types of powders available: 

  • Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder
  • Classic Rice Enzyme Powder
  • Deep Rice Enzyme Powder
  • Soothing Rice Enzyme Powder

I currently use the “Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder” and “Classic Rice Enzyme Powder.”

tatcha rice powder11These are the ingredients, for anyone who’s interested.

tatcha rice powder6The tubs are plastic and sturdy. Pretty light. There’s a small flap you can slide open to get the product.

tatcha rice powder7Direction instructs “half a teaspoon of product on wet hands,” but I always flick out a smaller amount and use it twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. A little goes a long way. I’ve had this little tub for more than a month now, and there still more than half left. 

Currently, I’m hoarding two more of these travel sizes, so I’m set for 6 months!

tatcha rice powder8This is how much I use at a given time. Once you rub the Gentle Rice Enzyme powder between your wet hands, it turns into a white-beige granular paste. Add more water, it foams lightly. Cover your face and rub gently. 

tatcha rice powder9The paste has a nutty fragrance that smells heavenly.

It reminds me of “미숫가루 (Mi-sut-garu),” which is a mixed-grain powder that Korean people mix with water or milk (sometimes with honey) to create a nutty/grainy drink. I love that drink, so needless to say, I loved the enzyme powder. Swear I almost need to stop myself from tasting it.

tatcha rice powder10tatcha rice powder12The Enzyme powder makes my skin feels clean and refreshed. Not the squeaky-clean type of feeling that leaves you dry, it just feels lightly exfoliated and less oily. Plus, even with daily use, the powder doesn’t break out my sensitive skin, a quality I much I appreciate in an exfoliator. 

The feeling after use reminds me of the “Ssal-ddu-mul (water leftover after washing rice) washing method (쌀뜨물 세안법)” in South Korean culture.

It is said that rice-washed water is great for your skin. You basically rinse rice, throw away the first batch of water, pour more water in, rinse again, and drain the water into a tub. With this tub of rice water, you wash your face like you would with normal water, ending with light splashes of regular tap water to cleanse away lingering impurities.

Can’t say that’s my HG method of pampering skin, but it does have a similar effect to using Tatcha’s rice enzyme powder.

Rice Enzyme Powder1Product aside, I just love the packaging.

Considering the price point, I feel Tatcha knows what it’s doing with its packaging. Not somewhere I can walk out with an armload of goodies, but snagging one of their beautiful products can make me feel happy enough to feel like I did!

I would recommend this to:

  • Anyone in need of gentle, daily exfoliation.
  • Those with combination skin leaning oily.
  • Those who love Mi-sut-garu?

PS: Would you use this? Do you see this replacing your daily exfoliator? 🙂

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