SHINE, SHIMMER & SPARKLE

Hi hi hi! Ok, EPIC entry with lots of product shots as well as "in-action" shots :D

A couple of weeks back I was given an opportunity to play around with ANNA SUI's latest offerings - the new PROTECTIVE BASE MAKEUP launch for Spring 2011 and point makeup from the upcoming DOLLY GIRL MASCARA and LIPSTICK Collection.

I've been using these products for a little while now and I've really come to enjoy them - the PROTECTIVE LOOSE POWDER and the DOLLY GIRL MASCARAS in particular.  Let's take a look!

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PROTECTIVE FOUNDATION PRIMER C (SGD$49 / 24ml)

It comes in one shade, PLATINUM PURPLE, which smooths out as an ultra-thin veil of radiance, with the help of subtle silver pearls. It contains:

• FLAT POWDER - camoflages enlarged pores

• CRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE & SEBUM ABSORBING POWDER - to capture excess sebum

• SPF 38 PA +++ - Despite a mid-range SPF level, it DOES NOT leave a white cast, as you can see in the swatch above

• WATER-BASED INGREDIENTS - for a light and refreshing application

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PROTECTIVE LOOSE POWDER in 001 (SGD$65 - 18 gms)

I LOVE this LOOSE POWDER - it looks like dull beige in the pot and when swatched. But once blended out, it sheers to a wonderful translucent veil with superfine shimmer.  This is a DELIGHT for me as often, translucent setting powders, especially from brands which are created for Asian skintones, often leave a horrid white / grey cast on me.

I've been using this to set my foundation and I've also been dusting this liberally on my decolletage (ahem) and it sits well on my skin. I apply it with either the included purple puff or my Sigma large powder brush.

The PROTECTIVE LOOSE POWDER contains:

• SLIDING POWDER and RFP POWDERS - Sliding Powder is spherical while RFP is plate like. Together, these create a smooth, thin veil on the skin surface.

• BRIGHT UP POWDER - This together with fine red and gold particles (which cannot be seen), give skin a healthy glow

• TRANSPARENT UV Powder - SPF 20 PA+++ protect the skin

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LOOSE POWDER COMPACT SET - LIMITED EDITION (SGD$91)

This set comprises a little tub in the classic rose-motif packaging as well as a bright royal purple rose-motif mirror compact

I feel the LOOSE COMPACT POWDER UV is a touch more shimmery than the PROTECTIVE LOOSE POWDER - but the silicone net on which you press the puff to dispense the powder doesn't allow too much powder to get onto the puff, so no worries about Disco-Ball Faces here :)

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And here are the LOOSE POWDER, PRIMER and DOLLY GIRL POINT MAKEUP in action!

I really like how smooth and soft the skin feels with the LOOSE PROTECTIVE POWDER on - even after frantic dash to the carpark and a long dinner, I felt my makeup still looked fresh and hardly showed signs of wear, a good 5 hours later, despite my oily skin.  And it didn't look ashy, despite the dull, dull, dullllllll yellow lighting in Triple Three (Mandarin Orchard Hotel)

FACE:

ANNA SUI PROTECTIVE FOUNDATION PRIMER C

ESTEE LAUDER Double Wear Foundation WARM BRONZE

MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC45 ; MUFE Camoflage Cream in ORANGE

ANNA SUI PROTECTIVE LOOSE POWDER

CHEEKS:

ANNA SUI CHEEK COLOUR in 01 (featured in this entry HERE)

EYES:

ANNA SUI Eye Colour in 101 (lid); MAC Pigment in GOLDEN OLIVE (outer crease and above); ANNA SUI Eye Colour Duo in 03 - tan gold shade (browbone highlight) (Anna Sui eyeshadows featured in this entry HERE)

MAC Superslick Eyeliner in ON THE HUNT (upper lashline); MAC Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in BLACK SWAN (lower lashline)

ANNA SUI DOLLY GIRL VOLUME MASCARA

LIPS:

MAC Lipstick in CREAM IN YOUR COFFEE (applied a light layer and blotted off almost completely)

ANNA SUI DOLLY GIRL Lipstick in 002

The Dolly Girl Lipstick in 002 looks like a bright scary fuchsia in the tube but it applies sheerly for a nice wash of colour - I layered it over a blotted off layer of another pink lipstick because I wanted a little more colour for the look I did.  I really love the packaging - its so compact and the illustration is cute!

Here are the other cases (which house a coral and red shade each)

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So in the look above, I am using the ANNA SUI DOLLY GIRL VOLUME MASCARA .......

But there are 3 in the DOLLY GIRL Mascara range (to be launched soon)!!! How not to try the others?????

So I experimented!

First, with just the DOLLY GIRL FULL MASCARA:

Anna Sui Eyecolour in 101(lid); Anna Sui Eyecolour 203 (outer crease and above)

ANNA SUI SAYS:

• Increased black pigment emphasises lash volume and the light-reflecting formula gives lashes a shiny, black and fluffy appearance

• The Balance Complex Formula (a highly adherent wax expertly combined with a hard wax) ensures excellent adherence to the lashes - the uneven adherence is intentional - to create the illusion of multiplied and fluffy lashes.

MY THOUGHTS:

• Dense and longer brush bristles coat each lash well and separates them.

• The formula is also wet enough that I can go back and add a 2nd or 3rd coat even (no CRISPY lashes here).  I like!

Then, I tried the DOLLY GIRL VOLUME MASCARA

ANNA SUI SAYS:

• Increased black pigment emphasises lash volume and the light-reflecting formula gives lashes a shiny, black and fluffy appearance

• The Lash Maximiser (a combination of voluminous wax, curl-holding wax and oil-soluble resin) adds intense volume to eyelashes while holding the perfect curl.

MY THOUGHTS:

• Brush bristles are shorter and more compact

• I thought the mascara formula felt just a wee bit more dense also

• The VOLUME mascara definitely gave more body to the lashes - you can tell the lashes look a little thicker.

• But I was itchy fingered and attempted a 3rd coat, just for the fun of it and it looked a little crumpled, towards the tips of my lashes.

• But I loved the fullness, especially at the lower lashes

Soooooo .....

I layered them both! According to ANNA SUI, all the mascaras in the DOLLY GIRL range are formulated to allow the mascara to adhere well to even the shortest / thinnest of lashes. They also allow for easy layering.

So here, I applied one thick coat of the DOLLY GIRL VOLUME MASCARA FIRST and then combed it out with another coat of the DOLLY GIRL FULL MASCARA ... and I loved this even better!!!

Both mascaras, when used on their own or layered, come off pretty easily with a cotton-pad soaked with my Biore bi-phase eyemakeup remover. I really like both the mascaras - the brush bristles really get inbetween the lashes and deposit enough mascara that lashes look full and long.

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That's all for now! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

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DISCLAIMER: All ANNA SUI products featured were provided to me for consideration.  All opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.