Review: Laneige BB Cushion SPF50+ PA++ | my gift to you | peachsbeauty

hi there,

I mentioned in my 'What's in My Travel Bag' video [watch] that I'd be trying out the Laneige BB Cushion on my little Melbourne getaway and report back, so here's my review. I actually picked this up in Hong Kong because my boyfriend's cousin asked me to pick one up for her and being the true makeup junkie that I am, I popped one in the basket for me too (as you do).

What I think of Laneige's 6 claims:

* Whitening: It does brighten the skin a little with its natural finish but haven't use it consistently enough to notice any long term whitening effects.

* Moisturising: It does feel very moisturising and comfortable on my normal/dry skin and doesn't accentuate any dryness or flakiness at all.

* Sunscreen: SPF50+ is always good for during the day.

* Water Resistant: Can't really vouch for that. You will lose some coverage if you're sweating but it does wear off nicely and not in patches.

* Soothing: You can feel a cooling sensation when I applied with the sponge provided and it feels pretty soothing to me.

* Makeup Effects: It certainly gives a very pretty skin-like buildable medium coverage.

Application... I tried two application methods with the BB Cushion: the sponge that it came with and a Kabuki style brush (Sigma F84 Angled Kabuki - bit.ly/1FDiEiM~ used in the demo below. I actually prefer the Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki - bit.ly/1I7C1TS~ as it fits perfectly in the compact). The image below shows my bare face and what the compact looks like inside (more on the packaging later). 

The top left photo below shows one layer of product on the left side of my face (your left) and the photo below shows two layers, as applied with the sponge provided. When applying, you'll notice that the sponge has a cooling effect on your skin which is awesome and unlike any other sponge I have ever used before. It's a shame that you only get one sponge per pack although it doesn't stain/absorb product so it does stay fairly clean. Still remember to give it a gentle wash every week or two as you would a normal brush.

The coverage that you get from the sponge is pretty good, buildable medium coverage with two layers. That's about the amount of coverage I would expect from such a lightweight BB-type liquid product where your skin still looks like skin but the majority of your imperfections are no longer there. Some concealing can always be done if required.

The top right and bottom right photo below shows one and two layers of the product respectively applied with an Angled Kabuki brush on the right side of my face (your right). The coverage is less than with the sponge as the brush will absorb some of the product. There is a lot more redness and imperfections showing through as the brush blends out the product too much to build decent coverage. My preferred and recommended method of application would definitely be the sponge.

Wear... To be honest the lasting power is the only con with this product. I will admit that it wears off nicely, so no blotchiness or streaking but just more of my imperfections/redness showing throughout the day. I can get about six hours without setting but if I'm in a really humid or sweaty environment, all bets are off. It's also not transfer resistant so setting it probably is the way to go although the natural skin-like finish is very nice. The compact makes it very easy to touchup throughout the day if needed and it just depends on your skin-type whether you sacrifice longevity (setting) for the finish. You might find that on combination skin, it wears off within four hours so you would rather set than have to touchup every four hours. I'm probably making it sound worse than it is but it just happened to be fairly hot most of the days I tried this and for the other days the product actually lasted just fine on me.

Scent... There is a slightly sweet floral scent which you'll notice during application but it doesn't linger and is actually quite pleasant. 

Packaging... It comes in a typical refillable Cushion compact, although maybe a little bit bulkier than some. You get two 15g refillable cartridges, a compact and sponge per box. It has a nice big mirror and a lid over the 'BB Cushion' to separate the application sponge. The packaging is white with silver trim, which is very chic. 

Recommend... this for mostly people with normal to dry/very dry skin. I did not notice it accentuating or drying out my skin at all and it does feel fairly moisturising. This compact is great for travelling as you don't need anything else for applications/touchups, gives you enough SPF during the day and is so lightweight and comfortable to wear on your skin. I probably wouldn't use it as an everyday base at home just because it's not the cheapest BB cream/tinted moisturiser out there. As with all BB Creams, you can also use this as a primer/tinted SPF and go over the top with a foundation to add some extra coverage and increase longevity.

Name: Laneige BB Cushion SPF50+ PA++

Price: HKD320 in HK stores | $50 at Cosme-de bit.ly/1zbjS2C~

Rating: ✿✿✿✿✿

More about cushion/cooling sponge technology: bit.ly/1Ou3BPe - I found the most information in English on Laneige's Singapore site.

Have you jumped onto the 'Cushion' bandwagon yet? Even my mum has! She was telling me all about her 'History of Whoo Cushion Foundation' like it was the best thing since sliced bread and I was like yeah.. I have one too. Hahaha, love to know if you've tried any cushion products! 

Every comment on my April posts counts as an entry into my birthday giveaway on 30.04.15!

xox cheng

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Prices correct at time of publishing, however may change with exchange rates etc. All products mentioned were purchased by yours truly unless marked by (*). All opinions are 100% honest and my own. Affiliate links are marked by (~). I always try to find the most affordable option with shipping to Australia. Thank you for your support if you choose to purchase from them.

Book Banter: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami | #BB | my gift to you | peachsbeauty

hi there,

If you know me in real-like you'll know that I love reading and since this blog is all about my loves, where better than here to have a little bit of a book banter. This Book Banter series is all about sharing my thoughts on some books as a whole experience without getting into the plot or giving away any spoilers.

Quick disclaimer: I don't look up reviews before I read a book so this is purely my first impressions. I will sometimes read reviews after I have finished to see if people felt the same way as me, but only if I'm torn about something.

Image: Random House - I read on iPad.

I usually chose the books I read from recommendations, or their cover (because yes, I'm that kind of person), or if I have read something from that author previously, which is the case here. I read 1Q84 by Murakami quite a while ago now so I might not remember the plot exactly but I do remember the overall feel of the book and it's a very interesting read that makes you question reality through the idea of parallel universes. It's technically a trilogy but it's often sold as one book and really should be read together. Despite the extraordinary length of the book, I did read it in one go and loved it, which brings me to Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage (Colourless), which is what I'm going to call it from now on because the title is just way too long.

So, what did I think about Colorless? Like, 1Q84, Murakami makes you really contemplate the meaning of life events and the lessons that must be learnt. His writing can be described as captivating yet really gentle, which I feel is like a way of life for Japanese people. His ability to capture the emotional quality of the story is what sets him apart from any other author, in my opinion. Whenever I read his books, I can play out the entire story in my mind because that's what his writing encourages - to experience reading with all five senses. It may just be that I have a good sense of imagination or that I'm more of a visual person but even now when I think about 1Q84, I can recall vividly in my brain the way I pictured the characters and certain landscapes even though I may remember the entire plot.

I hate endings (period) because I never want anything to finish - think books, tv shows, movies, etc. That is, if I've made it to the end of something it means I really enjoyed it but it also means I never want it to end. The ending of Colourless definitely left me wanting more, not just to know what happened to Tazaki and his conquest for love but the other conundrums and mystical scenarios which had been brought up along his journey. Unlike 1Q84 where you know to blame all the weird things on the parallel universe, there is no 'other realm' in Colorless so you're left thinking well what the blimy was the stuff with the old man about??

BASICALLY... Self-help book meets Inception.

RECOMMEND... This for anyone whose after something a little bit different; not scared to dig a little deeper into the soul and the meaning of life; and open to learning a thing or two from a novel.

QUOTE... "Never let fear and stupid pride make you lose someone who's precious to you."

Amazon Affiliate Link: amzn.to/1EByzmI~

Hope you enjoyed my first Book Banter post. I'd love to know your thoughts on Colorless if you've read or any other books that you've read recently that you would like to recommend! Always up for adding more books to the 'To Read' list. Don't forget every comment on my April posts count as an entry into my birthday giveaway at the end of the month xx

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High End Haul | Hump Day Haul | #HDH | my gift to you | peachsbeauty

hi there,

Let's talk haul, and not any haul - a high end haul. I've had these products for a few months now but as per my usual bad habit, I haven't gotten around to really playing with them until now. The silly season really made me a little silly with the moneys too so a little splurge was inevitable. I'm really happy with all my purchases so let me know what you'd like to see reviews of!

Beauty Bay:
Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight Powder - $34 at BeautyBay bit.ly/1AIqtHC
Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette - $61.20 at BeautyBay bit.ly/1CKXal8

Mecca Maxima:
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard Medium 1 - $35 at Mecca bit.ly/1vZ3GW0
Nars Algorithm Laguna Bronzing Powder Palette (LE) - $79 at Mecca bit.ly/1AntY2V
Nars Audacious Lipstick in Grace - $44 at Mecca bit.ly/1vjrQtQ
Hourglass Ambient Blush Wardrobe (LE) - $76 at Mecca

Sephora Sydney:
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone - $66 at Sephora - $52.80 at RY. bit.ly/1MC2XPy~
Sephora Cleansing Water 400mL - $25 at Sephora - bit.ly/1DxrbYG~ (US Sephora Link)

New Zealand:
Wanaka Lavender Farm Lavender Water - wanakalavenderfarm.com

Mirenesse:
Studio Magic Face Blur Powder - $33.94 at Luxola bit.ly/1NQrIFE~
Lip Bomb Laquer Nude 12 - $26.47 at Luxola bit.ly/1y0rCsQ~

I'd love to know if you've purchased anything lately! Every comment on my April posts counts as an entry into my birthday giveaway on 30 April.

xox cheng

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Prices correct at time of publishing, however may change with exchange rates etc. All products mentioned were purchased by yours truly unless marked by (*). All opinions are 100% honest and my own. Affiliate links are marked by (~). I always try to find the most affordable option with shipping to Australia. Thank you for your support if you choose to purchase from them.

Review: Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder | my gift to you | peachsbeauty

hi there,

Firstly, hope you've all had a great Easter looong weekend!

I've been hearing a bit about the Suisai Beauty Clear Powder here and there for a while now (it's definitely not a new product) but I've never been able to find a lot of information about it since it's a Japanese product. I decided to pick up a trial pack (15pc instead of the standard 32pc packaging) when I was in Japan to see for myself what this beauty powder was all about. All that I knew about it was that it was a powder, which I assume you mix with water to create a foam that you use to clean your face. It potentially had some exfoliating/deep cleansing properties which would leave your skin smooth and brighter (like all Japanese skincare). If you know any more specific details, e.g. ingredients etc. please leave me a comment!

[Note - I still don't know much about the product but here are my thoughts]

Application... is very simple and self-explanatory. Pour the powder into the palm of your hands and slowly start adding water to it. Rub your hands together to create some foam and gently wash your face in circular motions (or up and down motions.. the motions don't matter haha). Continue for about a minute, adding more water if required (it will keep foaming!), then rinse off. You should end up with quite smooth, clean feeling skin, especially in the pores and not a hint of tightness or dryness.

If you'd really like to take it up a notch, use the beauty powder with your Clarisonic or other facial cleansing tool/brush. Apply the foam to your face first then clean away. It will leave your skin feeling so soft and like every single bit of gunk has been extracted out of your pores without stripping your skin of its moisture or natural oils.

Scent... is soapy?

Results... were very surprising - surprisingly good of course. I really didn't know what to expect with this product since I wasn't able to read anything on the packaging or find any solid information online. I found that the smooth, clean pore feeling lasted for a week with a gentle scrub during the week to get rid of some of the dead skin buildup (more of an issue for me with my dry skin).

Recommend... this for anyone and everyone! It really is quite amazing how it's able to be so deep cleansing but extremely gentle at the same time. I really like the packaging as well so you know exactly how much to use and it's literally made for travelling.

Name: Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder
Price: Y1,000 for 15pc in Japan or $32.95 for 32pc at BlushMeUp bit.ly/1K69SSg (0.4g in each pod)
Rating: ✿✿✿✿✿

Have you ever tried this beauty powder, or something similar? Every comment on my April posts counts as an entry into my Birthday giveaway on 30.04.15!

xox cheng

youtube | pinterest | instagram | twitter | email | bloglovin'

Prices correct at time of publishing, however may change with exchange rates etc. All products mentioned were purchased by yours truly unless marked by (*). All opinions are 100% honest and my own. Affiliate links are marked by (~). I always try to find the most affordable option with shipping to Australia. Thank you for your support if you choose to purchase from them.

March '15 Favourites | my gift to you | peachsbeauty

hi there,

Today I want to share with you what I've been loving this past month. It's a mishmash of beauty products with some miscellaneous things thrown in at the end for good measure. Hope you enjoy!

1 | Daiso Cotton Pad Dispenser $2.80

The first item is not a beauty product but a makeup junkie essential - a cute as a button cotton pad dispenser. I saw them in black (shown) and pink (similar to the mirror - also from Daiso), but I have seen images online of clear ones and translucent pink ones. It's just so handy to keep your cotton pads in there with a lid so they don't get dirty and dusty. It does come with some cotton pads as well, the Daiso ones in the double pack pink boxes, though my favourite are the 'Fresh Cotton' which comes in a soft pack of 130pc.

2 | Maybelline Color Elixir in Rose Redefined $17.95 at Priceline - bit.ly/1EACTTb~

3 | Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Dusty Pink $44 at Bobbi Brown - bit.ly/1G4spvL~

I have been loving these two colours together and on their own lately. I'm back on my cool-toned pink lipstick bandwagon after a brief detour through bright-lips town. The Art Stick also doubles as a cream blush when mixed in with a moisturiser which is great for matching your lips. It really surprised me how much I love the Art Stick because although it applied matte, it feels so comfortable and creamy on the lips. It doesn't stain so it isn't a long-wearing lip product but it does wear off nicely if you're drinking and you will need to reapply after a meal. If throughout the day I feel like some glossy pink lips then I layer the Maybelline Elixir on top. It's actually quite pigmented on its own but layered on top of the Art Stick get a completed saturated pink lip. It does have quite a florally scent which I personally don't mind but can see it driving some people up the wall. 

4 | Shu Uemura DeepSea Water Lavender Mist $56 at Fresh Fragrances and Cosmetics - bit.ly/1GeJLo3~

Not sure why but lately I've been having a little bit of trouble sleeping, which happens to me on and off quite regularly. I love using Shu Uemura's Lavender Mist lightly all over my face before I head of to snooze land. The subtle lavender scent really helps me feel relaxed and the extra hydration is always welcome.

5 | Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera $11.24 at iHerb - bit.ly/1EAOO3j~

Even though March is the beginning of Autumn, it's still quite warm here so I have been enjoying using a refreshing toner after cleansing as well as throughout the day. Some of you may have tried witch hazel before that was quite harsh but this is "Rose Petal water blended with Hazel Extract and Aloe Vera" and has no alcohol, no paragons and no propylen glycol (whatever that is..). All I know is that it makes my skin feel fresh and clean without any dryness or discomfort - although it does kind of have that old granny rose scent, you've been warned.

6 | Chanel Body Excellence and Nourishing and Rejuvenating Hand Cream $107 at Fresh Fragrances and Cosmetics - bit.ly/1GeZfsi~

This hand cream is an absolute luxury (and so it should be given the price tag). It's creamy, lightweight and sinks in immediately. It just leaves your hands feeling really soft and smelling amazing. I love ending a pamper day/night/routine with this because I can smell the 'floral-fruity' scent all day and it's divine. 

7 | Sunsilk Keratinology Advanced Reconstruction Program Overnight Treatment - Discontinued??

I started using this lately because I've been too lazy to use a hair mask when I shower. I can use this in my hair every night to keep it smooth and not feeling dry without it weighing my hair down or leaving a residue feeling. I didn't think I had the product for that long but apparently it's discontinued now.. I would love recommendation for your favourite overnight hair treatment!

8 | Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid $47.37 at RY - bit.ly/1xVZZRZ~

In terms of acid exfoliators, I have always preferred Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion to the liquid gold as it was gentler and more suited to my skin type. However, having recently moved to a hotter and more humid climate I found that my skin was not as sensitive so I could use the Liquid Gold without any irritation. I use it about three times a week to exfoliate and smooth out the texture of my skin which seems to become more of an issue during the hotter months. 

9 | Billie Goat Soap Peach Lip Balm $5.95 - bit.ly/1C5NcaJ

I use this before I go to bed every night and I wake up with the softest lips. It smells exactly like peach candy and makes me want to eat sweets every time I smell it even though it has no fragrances and no colour, no parabens, no SLS, no 'nasties' and no animal testing. 

10 | MUA Undressed Eyeshadow Palette £4.00 at MUA - muastore.co.uk/12-shade-undressed-palette
Last but not least beauty product is the MUA Undressed Eyeshadow Palette. I used this in my Reese Witherspoon inspired GRWM [watch] so you can see it in action there. The colours are gorgeous and pigmented, so easy to apply and blend, not powdery, quite smooth and the metallic shades are just to die for. A really great, super affordable palette that will take you from day to night.

Best Read: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami, Philip Gabriel (Translator) - amzn.to/1EByzmI~
Murakami's books are always so thoughtfully written and really makes you think about life. I've been addicted to his writing ever since 1Q84 and I definitely want to read more of his books. I'm posting a Book Banter on this read to let you know my thoughts so stay tuned for that!

Best Watch: Scandal Season 1-3 - amzn.to/1MxBpNV~
My friend recommended Scandal to me last month and I was hooked straight away. I just kept going season after season, now I'm all caught up and four seasons in, it's still as fresh as the first episode. The storylines are always new, nothing repetitive. Really recommend for anyone who is into American political drama.

Best Person: Bonnie from BonnieBeautyXo - youtube.com/user/BonnieBeautyxo
A fellow Shanghainese girlie down under! (Sort of) She's a beauty YouTuber from Dunedin, NZ. She's so cute, her makeup is so on point and I actually love her accent. She liked one of my photos on Instagram, which totally made my day!

Leave me a comment letting me know what you've enjoyed using the past month to enter into my birthday giveaway on April 30!

xox cheng

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Prices correct at time of publishing, however may change with exchange rates etc. All products mentioned were purchased by yours truly unless specified with an asterisk (*). All opinions are 100% honest and my own. ~ are affiliate links. I always try to find the most affordable option with shipping to Australia. Thank you for your support if you choose to purchase from them.

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March '15 Empties | my gift to you | peachsbeauty

hi there,

You know what they say, 'out with the old, in with the new', so today I'm sharing with you my empties for March '15. Also, a pinch and a punch for the first day of the month (cos that's how mature I am) meaning this is the first post as a part of my birthday gift to you! #mgty

PRODUCTS

1 | Lush Turkish Delight Shower Smoothie $32.95 for 200g - bit.ly/1OS30I1
I love the scent of this products (I'm going to say it) even more than the famous Ro's Argan Oil. I'm not the biggest fan of pure rose scents so the added jasmine and neroli (my fave) just absolutely hits the nail on the head for me. The issue for me though is that I've used a tub of this and loved it but I still actually have no idea what it is.. like what is a shower smoothie? I've confirmed from the Lush staff that it's not a body wash (which should be used prior to this product), and it's not a body conditioner (like Ro's which should be used after this product.) So what then exactly is a shower smoothie, other than something you use in the shower that smells divine? Would I really pay $33 again for that.. not sure. What do you think?

2 | Skin Food Steam Milk Mask Cream - bit.ly/1Nwk6rx
I didn't actually finish this product but it expired at the end of last year so I decided to get rid of it. It's a very hydrating moisturiser that has been just a bit too much for even my normal/dry skin the past six months which was why it was kind of shoved to the side and forgotten about. I would probably only recommend this for people with dry/very dry skin living in harsh climates as it has quite a thick sleeping mask-like consistency that's good for locking moisture in the skin - sort of balm-like but in a cream form so it's still easy to spread over the skin.

3 | Caudalie VinoPerfect Day Perfecting Fluid SPF15 - $66.21 for 40mL - bit.ly/1DmKMvo~
This product warrants an "OMG!". It's so luxurious, smells incredibly delicious and awakening which is important for a day cream. It's super lightweight yet insanely hydrating with SPF 15 that I would recommend for all skin types. While you can't see any different as it sinks in and disappears immediately, you can definitely feel your skin drinking up that hydration. I've already started saving so I can pick up a full size of this for summer next year as this does cost a pretty penny.

4 | Juju Cosmetics Aquamoist Moisture Milk - discontinued? (Couldn't find any information in English)
This I also didn't finish and wasn't a big fan of for the opposite reason to the Skin Food Cream. The moisture milk was very liquidy (makes sense) so it really just spread out to nothing and didn't really do much.

5 | Bioderma Sensibio Micelle Solution Sensitive Skin $31.99 for 500mL - bit.ly/1DmYlen~
I got a tiny sample of this a while ago in a beauty box and just used it up when I went to Melbourne. Love Bioderma for lazy makeup removal and have a 500mL bottle sitting on my drawer for such occasions. I really want to try the blue one though for sensitive dehydrated skin.

6 | My Beauty Diary Collagen Firming Mask $15.50 for 10 - bit.ly/1BZ3u55~
I was clearly having a lazy sheet mask month as I only have one empty to share with you. This one I received a while ago as a sample to try with a YesStyle order I believe. I love My Beauty Diary masks and I had never tried this one but I quite liked it and would consider repurchasing if I was ever running low on sheet masks (highly doubt that will ever happen though.. >.<").

7 | Daiso Triangle Brow Pencil $2.80
I am the exact opposite of a brow product snob. I picked this up because I thought the triangle shape was quite interesting so I gave it a go and I quite like it, which basically means that it's a somewhat dark brown colour and doesn't migrate to my forehead when I brush my brows out. They're really the only two requirements of a brow product for me. I have quite thick, full brows already so I just need something to fill them in a bit and define the ends. The brush at the other end is also quite handy. Stock tends to come and go at Daiso so if I ever see these, I always pick one up for backup.

8 | Big W Makeup Remover Pads $2 for 200
These are soft (not like a baby's bum but soft enough), don't break up when I'm trying to remove my makeup or apply toner and they're cheap as chips. What more can I say. Always pick these up when I can't get to a Daiso to pick up my favourite cotton pads. They're just so easily accessible and affordable - can literally be bought with the change found under your car seat.

9 | Oral-B 3D White Toothpaste $9.49 for 130g - bit.ly/1IL51lc~
Picked these up as a triple pack from Costco and we're onto our last tube. Not much to say other than the fact that it's not super minty tasting toothpaste and didn't notice any whitening effects.

10 | SK-II Facial Treatment Essence $99 for 75mL + 1 Mask + 30mL Clear Lotion - bit.ly/1xuoxkH~
My holy grail product, I will never be without this. Already onto a 215mL bottle, however I'm doing a showdown of the facial essences I have tried so for the last few weeks I have been using the Shiseido Eurdermine Revitalising Essence.

Hope you'll enjoyed reading about my empty products. Love to know what you've finished lately and will be repurchasing!

Don't forget every comment from my April posts counts as an entry into my birthday giveaway at the end of the month :)

xox cheng

youtube | pinterest | instagram | twitter | email | bloglovin'

Prices correct at time of publishing, however may change with exchange rates etc. All products mentioned were purchased by yours truly unless specified with an asterisk (*). All opinions are 100% honest and my own. ~ are affiliate links. I always try to find the most affordable option with shipping to Australia. Thank you for your support if you choose to purchase from them.

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