Say it with me: Lust haves because I love them and you must have them!

Original Mineral Detox Shampoo and Conditioner set.
This combo is amazing for oily scalp, swimmers and anyone else who feels that their hair has build up - which should be D) all of the above. I bought this after conferring with my friends at O&M due to Stuff Zoie Says developing an unintentional shade of swimmer's mint blonde. Since I like to test everything on my hair I found that it gave my hair new life. I've been using it on my clients who have sinced raved that their hair feels 'like it did years ago' - tea tree is one the ingredients working magic here. If you don't have an oily scalp nor swim a lot, still consider this as an at home detox treatment once a week and trust me - you fine hair girls are going the love the new found body it gives you. Live in Singapore? Buy it here.

Let's kill two birds with one stone.

My HB [husband] went on a business trip and took with him some important steps to my skincare regimen - he's jealous and trying to sabotage me. I had some Skin Inc from an event swag bag that I forgot I had and the Kate Somerville eye cream I bought after sampling some of her other luxe creams.

Skin Inc - Skin Supplement Bar I had originally heard rave reviews from Mmerci Encore who at the time reigned the beauty dept at Harper's Bazaar Singapore. I was given their 'Daily Dose' then and loved it, but we shortly relocated to Austin Texas (2009) where Skin Inc was out of sight and therefore out of mind. I must have been out of my mind to let that happen. As per the pic, I have been using the Skin Inc Vitamin A and Placenta - not to worry Vegans! It's plant placenta! ...unless you're opposed to screaming carrots - I kid! I don't think it's carrots - maybe screaming aloe.
*Skin Inc ships worldwide! [and ps - we relocated back to Singapore in 2010 - I love Singapore but I miss Austin, especially my house.]

Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair since my HB walked off with my Dermalogica I seized the opportunity to go shopping. I have been ageing fairly gracefully (minus the trucker mouth) so I am lucky in the lineage department but that doesn't mean to leave it up to nature. I love the velvety texture Kate's Line Release gives under my eyes and just like my coveted fave, concealer doesn't crease over this eye cream and your fine lines will diminish. Win/Win!

Kate's dual purpose tip: Try putting a dab on the lip line to help soften lines, hydrate the area, and make lips look fuller and keep lipstick or gloss from bleeding into the lines.

In one of my recent BellaBox monthly beauty deliveries was this little gem: Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Treatment. I love that it has a natural UV protector which is important in any climate for all hair types - chemically processed or not. Suitable whether your hair is fine or thick BUT fine hair proceed with caution and use sparingly. Put a few drops in your hands first, rub together and then apply on towel-dried hair to the mid-lengths, ends and then roots without adding more to your hands or hair.

*NOTE: 'Towel-dried' does not mean attack your hair like a crazy person with a towel. Best to gently wrap your hair to absorb excess water - roughly towel-drying causes friction lifting the cuticle causing breakage and flyaways - especially a bad method for curly or damaged hair.

Another beauty subscription gem from the The Black Box Team in Singapore - Dr Jart's V7 VitaLaser (available in full sizes at Luxola) Again, it's about texture for me when it comes to skincare. This V7 VitaLaser is packed with vitamins to nourish the skin healing the after affects of acne and pigmentation while fighting the signs of ageing and protect against the elements including the evil UV rays. Fire the V7 [Vita]Lasers! It absorbs quickly and yes I can still feel it but it leaves my skin velvety smooth. Velvet skin textures + makeup = love. 

*you got the Austin Powers reference - right? Yes? No? Moving on...

Read all my Lust Haves up to date here.

Andrea Claire is a beauty-pro with a career as a hair & makeup artist for 20+ years. Connect with her on Facebook here.

Luxola (Singapore) has sent me their latest addition to their online beauty boutique: Covet London.

Pictured are the hands of TV personality Linda Black that I took behind the scenes at our shoot yesterday. She is wearing Covet London in Confidence.

These nails are dry without any topcoat which tells you how fab the shine is and just like Jem, the pigments are truly outrageous.

From Covet London's FB page: Luxury mineral-based nail polish to deliver intense, brilliant colors without toxic synthetic chemicals and carcinogenic.

Pretty sure they meant to say: without toxic synthetic chemicals or carcinogens vs telling you it's carcinogenic. Just a little word adjustment... but who am I but a hair & makeup artist without an English degree - I am clearly not the judgmental grammar police that you find in the Twittersphere.

Update: Covet London adjusted their FB page to read: Luxury mineral-based nail polish to deliver intense, brilliant colors without toxic synthetic chemicals or carcinogenic.

[ Getting closer... ;) ]

Not 100% naked like a Prince may be, just nearly there...

(click image to read)

Barely there makeup still needs some effort however, it would take less time to apply it than reading this article that I wrote for Motherhood magazine.

Please note: on page 2 "...using a cream blush apply blush after foundation but before setting powder, otherwise it will spill and streak." Spill should read pill as when you see pilling on your sweaters. The only thing that could spill would be a bottle of liquid or maybe my champagne did as I wrote the article and therefore accidentally wrote spill...

I'm sure you notice my love for Benefit's Creaseless Cream shadows! I mention them all the time in my blog, my articles and I own all the shades in my kit that I paid for FULL PRICE. Certainly the love is not shared with their PR department in Singapore who, despite my trying to reach out to them, constantly do not respond... I give up! But I do love the product! Birthday Suit is an amazing base colour for all - I tend to use it as a primer for all eye shadow.

Tom Ford Beauty order via Neiman Marcus but rumour has it that it is coming to Singapore (for those who are based on this tropical island like me)

Becca get via Escentials or Luxola

FACE atelier via Luxola

Dermalogica

Josie Maran & Smashbox via Sephora (oh, another company that is like pulling teeth to connect with in Singapore...actually; I'd rather pull my teeth)

Bobbi Brown is at Tangs

Majolica Majorca and L'Oreal is at Watsons

Credits for the image above: 

Photgraphy: Alvin Tang

Hair & makeup: Andrea Claire

Model: Elizabeth D / MINT

Here I am in my final week of my 6 week Luxola sponsored skincare challenge with Le Pétronille Skincare.

Not all good things have to come to an end.

I love the results with my Pétronille Skincare that even though I have my old faithful I am not shoving the Pétronille aside to return to it.

Take note that six weeks later, I have been using the Essentielle Jour cream and I still have some left. I am not sure exactly how much but I can tell you that I am not scraping bottom yet. Good to know that you get your money's worth!

The elixirs you can mix and match to target your skin's needs by boosting your own skin cream if you are married to it. Of course, Le Pétronille recommends their creams as they are formulated to work together, but it isn't a must-do. Just keep in mind that the elixirs could make your creams appear watery.

Thanks Luxola for the intro to the new product! I apprehensively took the challenge and glad I lived on the skincare edge - no adverse effects!

See the previous week reports here.

Give love to the skin you are in! Help your skin's rate of absorption with the Sonic Cleanse! Read more here and a get a time sensitive discount code for you, my readers!

xo

So... un petit peu de retard for this post. Je suis desole. I was in beautiful Paree!

Welcome to week 5/6 of my Le Pétronille Skincare Challenge sponsored by Luxola.

You may recall that last week I jetted off to Paris and knowing that I was going to be surrounded by chic French women I toted along my Le Pétronille anti-aging Elixir.

Combat fine lines, wrinkles and aging skin with this booster which combines 10% of Argireline® and 1% Eyeliss® to help fight and reduce wrinkles for visibly younger and firmer skin. Ideal for those who want to smooth and plump their skin.

"The 10% Argireline® formulation is the optimum concentration to achieve the best result in reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Argireline® is proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles and fights the formation of future lines. Eyeliss® decongests and soothes the eye contour while reducing under eye bags. Contains no parabens, no alcohol, no perfume, no artificial colouring. Never tested on animals." Luxola.

My genuine feedback: You know when you read a claim about a product and think 'Yeah right!' ... well, I am sure that my skin has plumped. My marionette lines [sigh] aka smile lines seem less visible. My favourite combo for me is the Le Pétronille Antioxydant Elixir for the day and the Anti-aging Elixir for night. This will be my combo for my last week of my challenge.

**I was given a Sonic Cleanse from SkinStreet so watch for my review - but I can give you a sneak peek into my thoughts: I've been using this for the past couple of weeks - truly this tool changes the way you cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate your skin; and here I had thought I mastered hygiene.

Need to catch up?

Read week one here, week two here, week three here and week four here.

Well, here I am week two of Luxola's Le Pétronille Skincare Challenge. [ Read week one here. ]

I'm a sensitive skin kinda girl and as I had mention, I delayed my Essentielle Nuit start as night creams and I are not BFFs - still not. I broke out. Just a few little blemishes. sigh. I stopped the night cream, my blemishes disappeared.

I LOVE the Essentielle Jour (day cream) - so far so good. I do have a cream that works for me at night and I LOVE the Elixirs so I went straight to the horse's mouth with a few questions regarding the Elixirs and mixing them in with my regular cream that I have been using at night for years.

[Elixirs are concentrated boosters that give extra treatment to your skin and 'boosts' your skin creams taking them to the next level.]

"We recommend to use Elixirs with our cream Essentielle: they have been formulated to work in synergy. But you can also use the Elixir with another cream if you love your cream, there is no restriction for that." [Good to know!]

Luxola, an online beauty boutique, has given me a six week challenge testing Le Pétronille Skincare. Over the next six weeks I will give you my honest opinion of what I think about the products and my experience. Lord knows I've be known to be honest!

Week one is coming to a close. Tomorrow will be the full week.

What I have been using:

Petronille Cosmeceuticals The word cosmeceuticals is very important to me. It means that the skincare contains purer, pharmacy grade ingredients. You know you are starting off on the right path to great skin if your skincare fits into this cosmeceutical category.

Essentielle Jour Ultra Moisturizing Day Cream SPF 10, 50ml Packed with vitamin E and olive leaf extract which are rich in antioxidants and therefore actively protects the skin against free radicals. Sodium hyaluronate and Trehalose moisturises, smoothes, reduces wrinkles and prevents from water loss over time.

My first week notes: I have had zero negative reaction. Great start, right? Whew! Note that SPF 10 is not at all strong enough so you will need to use a proper sunscreen for your face. Most skincare companies that I have spoken with say that although they put in some SPF they too believe that you need added sun protection. [*Note: look for PA+++ and SPF!]

This day cream is not as thick as the one I normally use so I do have moments of: Is this really rich enough for me? This question I can only answer as the weeks go by. It is non-greasy. Contains no parabens, no alcohol, no perfume, no artificial coloring. Never tested on animals. [Currently being tested on a beauty pro. ;) ]

"Petronille's unique packaging allows you to pump cream to the top of your jar, mix in your favourite Petronille booster and apply daily." Luxola.com

Love that you are in control as skin's needs can change day to day requiring more or less of the boosters that are so handy - Hello PMS e-meet Elixir contrôle Control booster

Essentielle Nuit Regenerative night cream, 50ml This regenerative night cream contains Argireline® and Dermaxyl® to repair the cutaneous barrier, reduce wrinkles and regenerate skin cells. Vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate and Jojoba oil nourish, soothe and protect skin and reduce wrinkles. Contains no parabens, no alcohol, no perfume, no artificial colouring.

My first week notes: Night creams scare me. I have never used a specific night cream as any one that I have tried resulted in my breaking out the next day. Too rich which is not an issue if you are a man but a night cream... So, honestly, I delayed the start of the night cream by a few days to give the other products a head start. When I did start the night cream I added only the Elixir Anti-Âge Anti-aging booster thinking that the anti-aging fairies can get a helping hand.

Elixir Anti-Âge Anti-aging booster, 15ml The 10% Argireline® formultion is the optimum concentration to achieve the best result in reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Argireline® is proven to reduce the depth of wrinkles and fights the formation of future lines. Eyeliss® decongests and soothes the eye contour while reducing under eye bags.

No makeup, mother of three, face of 41, Bitches! PS No Botox, fillers or work of any kind... yet.

My first week notes: I LOVE boosters. I have been using Dermalogica forever and they have these too. A great way to concentrate and target special skin needs. I haven't seen any results yet. I do have great skin. At this point for me, I think it is mainly about maintaining and preventing.

Elixir contrôle Control booster, 15ml Created with a revolutionary molecular association between salicylic acid and acacia polysaccharides to gently exfoliate and promote cell renewal while diminishing pore size, black heads, inflammatory lesions and excess oil. The 4% Niacinamide improves the skins natural barrier function and lightens dark spots and scars

My first week notes: See above.

Elixir Antioxidant Antioxidant booster, 15ml Petronille is one of the first cosmeceuticals available with a 20% vitamin C formulation; the optimum concentration to achieve the results and the highest percentage available on the market. Formulated with L-ascorbic acid which is the form of vitamin C dermatologists recommend most to reduce wrinkles and actively repair skin.

My first week notes: See above above. ;)

NOTE: Booster MUST be mixed with a cream, do not apply directly to skin. Because it is very challenging to stabilise a cream with a high concentration of active ingredients Pétronille has designed boosters that can be added to your creams at the very last moment of application. For best results mix 2-3 drops of Elixer with the Petronille face cream of choice

SPF & Paa++

SPF protects skin from the UVB rays which are a medium wavelength, affecting the surface of the skin. The skin's surface is replenished in a 28 day cycle.

Paa++ protects the skin UVA rays which are long wavelengths that penetrate into the skin's second layer. The second layer has a renewal of five to six years which would show you just how important sun protection with Paa++ is. [values from one + to +++; the more + the better the protection]

THE EFFICIENCY OF CUSTOMISED CARE

The boosters, Elixirs, are to be used in synergy with Essentielle creams in order to achieve easy absorption and action with optimum results. The Elixirs are formulated in order to preserve all the freshness, stability and powerful efficacy they contain.

Each day, just before application, add one drop of the Elixir of your choice to your Essentielle cream according to your skin’s specific needs to offer your skin truly powerful and fresh care.

The revolution: activated at the last minute, the natural efficacy of the Elixir boosters is preserved.

Over the next few days I will blog a series on my picks for the Best in Beauty 2011!

Starting with hair, these are my selects that I have carefully combed thru and selected. Tried, tested and I use them too!

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Shampoo, $22 USD via the company's website.

Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic Conditioner $24.00 USD at Beauty.com

Shampoo and Conditioner so gentle you can use it for daily use. It's very refreshing too with the mint scent and gentle tingling on the scalp. Really great for post-workouts!  Anti-aging, antioxidant rich, volumizing, super smooth, non-frizzy, scalp and hair nourishing, non-toxic and color safe. Formulated without sulfates, parabens, silicones, ethoxylates, PEG, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. For use on every hair type. The lightweight conditioner leaves hair conditioned, never weighed down or heavy.

Moroccanoil Round Brushes (photo from the Moroccanoil site)

Bye Bye CHI! Sorry the Moroccanoil brushes are a little better. The grip on the hair has better grab resulting in a smoother blowout. I love the hidden tails in the handle that you reverse so when drying you can get a straighter section of hair.

Oribe Hair Care - Supershine Moisturizing Creme - 5 oz $49.00 USD by Oribe at RONROBINSON.com

I triple <3 this moisturizing styling creme. It cuts frizz. It gives great hair ad hair. I've used this on my clients and models with both straight and curly hair. For a nice added texture for subtle extra hold mix in AVEDA Confixor - a great combo for curly hair too! [PS I'll 'refrain from recommending anyone buy AVEDA from Strawberrynet.com' as per the lovely [sarcasm] email I received from AVEDA in Singapore, who by the way has been less than helpful for any of my needs... [and done] AVEDA.com I would also love to honourable mention Oribe's Impermeable Anti-humidity Spray but I can't seem to find a recent link... Dear Oribe: Did you discontinue that? It works wonders on hair in the tropics!!! The KMS Anti-humidity Spray gets runner up but it's a little heavy for fine hair.

Phyto Phytovolume Actif Maximizing Volume Spray - Fine Limp Hair Luxury Size $35.00 USD by Phyto at Sephora

On towel-dried hair, section and spray roots lightly comb thru and blow-dry. There is heat-activated ingredients that help to create voluminous hair. Use with your new Morrocanoil brushes! Need some blow out tips? Check here to blow like a pro!

osis Dust It by Schwarzkopf

Whether looking for a matte textured updo or cropped bedhead this is the product for you! This can be used on any hair colour as it goes invisible on the hair. Great for refreshing oily hair before a night on the town.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Styling Heat Protect Spray $22.00 USD  by Oscar Blandi at Sephora

A heat protectant spray that offers 450-degree heat protection and safeguards hair from all hot tools. It's scented with lemon verbena which I love; some models have said they smelled like Pledge after I did their hair. It's ok; I like Pledge too!

Redken Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray, Maximum Control $18.00$17.10 USD by Redken at drugstore.com

Fast-drying and ultra-clean which means zero white flakes. I love this spray as it gives me the hold I need on set with my models or for my brides 'dos without looking like they are wearing a helmet. You can brush through the hair and restyle it too. BONUS: the lid has a dial that locks the nozzle so when I am travelling I don't get to set with a drained can of hairspray...

Goody Simple Styles: Spin Pin $6.49 USD by Goody at Folica.com

'Spin Pin does the work of 20 bobby pins!' This is the Goody claim and it's so true! One of my fabulous Canadian assistants-turned- artist-in-her-own-right , Sandra Yang so graciously sent me a package with a few Goodies. I have not seen them here yet in Singapore but they should be coming soon [Goody?] You can minimize your bobby pins and create some great styles lickedty-split and boy that's fast! BeautyGeek has some great tips with these too. If you can't find the Spin Pins then check out my updo DIY tips with only 8 bobby pins!

Fascinators may be a little much for every day but a subtle headband vs a statement piece is a great addition to any day or night look.

I may be a little late to be jumping on the hairband bandwagon but I am loving them lately ever since I worked the Melbourne Cup luncheon in Singapore touching up drunk lovely Aussie ladies. [I kid. YES, they were drunk but there were Americans, Kiwis, Brits etc also in attendance.]

Pictured above is a lovely lady I met while at the Melbourne Cup lunch - she made this glorious head piece. [She did her makeup herself too... she was so sweet I couldn't find a subtle way to suggest she soften her lip-liner...] She brought her friend to us at the Luxola sponsored touch-up area exclaiming that she was a makeup artist so didn't need us but claimed her friend did. [I know that sounds bitchy but both ladies were not at all - very sweet, bubbly and full of bubbly. ;) ]

This is me on set for GLAJZ jewelry trying on some Prada and Miu Miu. The headband - Miu Miu. Stunning. I also liked it as it didn't pinch my cranium like most headbands. [I have a big brain] Sobe Jewel has some cute headbands too that are cheap and cheerful, priced in Singapore dollars.

My final hair must-have for 2011:

Yup. That's a toothbrush. Aside from the need to take care of the hair on your teeth... these work GREAT for flyaway hairs and loose hairlines that interfere with posh 'dos. Put a dot of wax on the back of your hand and sweep a toothbrush over the wax and lightly smooth those pesky hairs.

What are your favourite hair products and why?

Coming up: Skincare Faves, Makeup Faves. and Nail Faves... check back!

Come rain or come shine Luxola delivers to your door wherever you are in Singapore and yesterday we had both! Thankfully we had a driver so we never got stuck in the rain... or the heat...

If you had seen my blog, Twitter, Facebook this week or Luxola's Twitter or Facebook, you would have seen that CEO, Alexis and I were delivering your ordered goodies ourselves! A little 'tip & treat' the Friday before Hallowe'en.

Faz ordered Kajal liner and FACEatelier FACADE blush. Tip: The blush can double as a lippy too!

Tips galore with Shefali who had ordered the Dare to Scare package that came with lashes, Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance nail polish, DuWop The Ambers eye palette, a lip venom and Mario Badescu Oil-Free Moisturizer - all this for $97 SGD!

This is the DuWop The Ambers palette; a great eye palette for everyone.

TIP: Dampen your brush slightly for more pow to your pigment. [Andrea speak for: richer shadow application]

Need some eye shadow palette tips? Click here.

Aside from Zoie Jean, this is the other cutest 3 year old in the world. Adorbs. Love her hair! [She needs to be in the next Bazaar Junior!]

Her mommy ordered the Sleek Storm i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette. I did an on-the-spot smokey eye for her which you will be able to watch soon because we also shot the ambushes to use as webisodes! [This was my first time using this palette - very risky because I may not have liked it! BUT OMG What a steal! $20 SGD!?! They carry an eye primer palette that I want for my kit, same price]

The Luxola Beauty Ambush with Andrea Claire was so much fun that we decided to do it again! Check the above social media links for future ambush dates as well as when you can watch the webisodes of these ambushed lovely ladies and get some tips for yourselves too!

A huge thanks to the women who ordered and let us into their homes for a little trick & tips tete-a-tete!

PS: Our initial meeting point for our ambush day was outside of a Subway... I kinda look like I should be in their ad, non?

Have you placed your order with Luxola for tomorrow? If so, guess who is coming toting your lipstick? Me. Yup. I'll be coming with the deliveries tomorrow to ambush you with beauty tips and tricks. Happily give you some on the spot tips to go with your new purchases OR some other great tips... maybe a little of both? OR have a question in mind to test my beauty brain!

Check out some of the tips I have shared on TV! {when it's pink it means 'click it'  

I am a hairstylist too so don't limit your queries to makeup! [check out the portfolio links to my work in the sidebar]

PS: Also feel free to ask a question in the comments below.