Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance: My secret to radiant glowy skin!

When I'm in need of a foundation that can offer me long-lasting coverage and yet still look natural and glowy, Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance is my latest to-go!

I first experienced Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance during a Her World shoot some time last month with my friends Jess and Juli, and I was amazed! My shoot began early in the morning (around 10.30am) and after the makeover that I was given by the makeup artist, I kept my makeup on the entire day, to have it still looking fresh and radiant when I was ready to remove my makeup at the end of the day.

Behind the scenes. Here's some photos I sneaked off the computer screen!



A couple of selfies I took after my shoot! Love the glowing, dewy look that was achieved with Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++! Even after removing my makeup at the end of the day, my skin still felt supple and hydrated, instead of feeling dehydrated or dry as it sometimes does, after a long day out.

Before you get confused, let me introduce to you: Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance! This foundation actually comes in TWO forms, one is a liquid foundation while the other is a cream compact.

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance is more than makeup. It's hydrating, illuminating skincare. Designed specifically for Asian skin, this deceptively light formula, liquid or compact, is a potent way to deliver intense moisture that leaves skin feeling hydrated for hours.

 From the moment it makes contact, this innovative foundation creates a flawless finish that helps minimize the appearance of pores, even skin tone and leave skin looking dewy, plumped and more radiant.

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

Liquid foundations are my best friend due to my current skin condition: skin that's sometimes dehydrated and on the dry side due to my bout of medication (I took Roaccutane for acne trouble a year ago).

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

What I love best about Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++ is how it manages to give me skin that looks fresh, dewy and radiant, even throughout the day! It's really more than just makeup, and helps my skin feel hydrated while giving me that natural, flawless finish.

With Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance, it's so easy to achieve that Korean dewy and flawless makeup look that I lust after! ;D

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

This advanced formula contains the ingenious Revival Plant Extract, which helps to deliver persistent moisture to the skin as well as Sustainable Moisture Complex composed of hyaluronic acid and ceramide spheres, as well as linoleic acid, that locks moisture into the skin even after the makeup is removed.

That's why my skin feels so comfortable and hydrated after makeup removal, and not like it's been stripped dry of moisture!

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

The texture of Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++ is incredibly smooth and light, and it glides on the skin for medium to full, buildable coverage.

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

Take a look at how it blends into my skin so effortlessly! Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++ is also available in 9 wearable shades with SPF15.  I'm wearing 3W0 (Warm Creme)

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

Apply to clean skin with the fingertips, or blend with a makeup sponge or synthetic brush. My personal preference is for brushes because it keeps my fingers clean, and also helps for a more even application!

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

The half-face comparison really shows the difference before and after using Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++. My skin looks almost like it's been illuminated from the inside, on the left (after application)! Compare this to my lacklustre and dull skin on the right and you can see what a difference Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++ makes.

At the same time, it also looks completely natural, as if I'm not wearing anything on my face at all.

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

 Imperfections are diffused, fine lines and pores disappear, and the finish, plumped with sophisticated moisturizers, stays flawless and natural all day. I really love how naturally smooth and flawless my skin now looks, after application!

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++

Here's a close-up of what my skin looks like after application. It looks like I have really good skin, but trust me when I say that this is all the work of Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA++! You can hardly see any pores or fine lines, let alone cakiness.

Although liquid foundations are my first choice, I was suitably impressed with the compact version of the Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance as well! With liquid foundations, you can't really bring them out for touch-ups conveniently, but the compact version is so handy and convenient you can pop it into your handbag for touch-ups throughout the day, any time.

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++ combines the radiance of a fluid with the ease and versatility of a powder compact foundation, and none of the potential for dryness, to deliver hours of intense hydration. Buildable coverage, from medium to full and a sophisticated blend of creamy waxes hydrate, illuminate and perfect the skin.

It's a foundation, a treatment, and a powdery soft compact in one, with innovative oil-and-shine controlling components that don't compromise on moisture.

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++ contains naturally occurring waxes and skin-friendly oils that create a flexible, moist barrier that coats the skin like a breathable, conditioning veil. The waxes melt at body temperature, so they blend effortlessly into the skin. The veil secures the skin's existing moisture, preventing evaporation, and locks in the hydrating properties of the foundation.

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++

The texture of Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++ is remarkable! It is super emollient and literally melts into my skin, giving me a natural finish that looks just like my own skin, but turned flawless and radiant.

Similar to its liquid counterpart, Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++ is also available in 9 wearable shades, but comes with SPF20. I'm wearing 3W0 (Warm Creme)

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++

See how Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++ evens out my complexion beautifully while maintaining a natural skin texture that's still dewy and fresh. I love it!

During another video shoot in which I used Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance to achieve a flawless and radiant Korean makeup look! :D

Nothing but raves for this marvellous product! Head over to Her World Plus to take a look at my special feature for Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance! :D

Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance is now available at all Estee Lauder counters and ION Orchard store from October 2014.

NEW Futurist Aqua Brilliance Moisture Infused Liquid Makeup SPF 15/PA ++ Retail Price: SGD58

NEW Futurist Aqua Brilliance Compact Makeup SPF 20/PA++ Retail Price: SGD88

Here's your chance to experience Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance for your very own too!! Drop by the ION Orchard Estee Lauder boutique for a foundation fitting session and quote ‘Yina’ for a SPECIAL SURPRISE! If you purchase any of the Futurist Aqua Brilliance foundation, you will also receive a complimentary mini foundation brush!! :))) Go go go!

xoxo

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Laura Mercier Bridal Make-up: Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation

I don't know how the time passed so fast, but it's now less than four months to the wedding day, which makes it seem really really near now!

All the wedding prep is really starting to get serious now, and I did my first bridal makeup trial with Laura Mercier last week. It's pretty exciting for me because I finally get to see how I look like on the day itself with my bridal make-up and hair all done up and gown on! Things are really progressing along.. From the first time I went down for gown choosing to confirming on the final gown designs I'll be wearing, now put together with hair and make-up!

The team at Laura Mercier was kind enough to send down a make-up artist down for my first bridal make-up trial! :D

Before I went down to Blessed Brides (my bridal studio), I popped by my trusty hair salon, Salon Vim, first to get my hair done up in a simple up-do for full effect. I only asked Fiona for a simple updo, but she really outdid herself with a beautiful braided 'do and a messy side-bun! Love how romantic it looked!

And so the make-up trial began!

If you've read my previous blog post on my experience with Laura Mercier, you might remember Laura Mercier's Four Steps to Flawless Face!

I've tried many of Laura Mercier's products previously, and my favourite part about LM products is the great emphasis placed on having a flawless base. I want to look glowing and radiant and flawless! and also on my wedding day, the make-up is going to face the challenge of lasting probably up to twelve hours with minimal touch-ups if possible.

With Laura Mercier revolutionary 4 step makeup application routine to make the skin look perfect, you won't even have to worry. No need for photo retouching or photoshopping, serious!

Without further ado, Eddie started working his magic on me!



 ❤❤❤ The Bridal Make-Up Process ❤❤❤

STEP 1 – PRIME THE SKIN

First, Eddie used Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer (Radiance) to first prep and prime my skin. Primer is an important step because it prepares your face like a perfect canvas by evening your skin surface, which will ensure that all your makeup goes on smoothly and stays fresh.

STEP 2 – APPLY FOUNDATION

For a flawless face that's natural yet perfect, Eddie used Laura Mercier's brand new Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide: This foundation is the latest in LM's line-up of foundations, and I was very impressed with it! More about this product below :)

Eddie applied it with an egg-shaped sponge, which is the recommended method by Laura herself. Using a sponge allows the product to really meld with your skin, as opposed to using a brush which simply sits the product on the face and does not look as flawless or natural.

STEP 3 – APPLY CONCEALER

I was lamenting about how bad my dark eye rings and eye bags were on that day, but Eddie was super sweet and assured me that my dark eye rings were totally salvageable with some simple correcting and concealing teehee.

I have to agree cos Laura Mercier’s revolutionary, highly pigmented camouflage and concealer really totally hides under-eye circles, discolorations, blemishes, scars, imperfections. 

If you remember my previous blog post, I was raving about the High Coverage Concealer for Undereye, which has got amazing coverage and really did the heavy-duty task of concealing my horrible eye bags!

And I really need to cover those dark eye rings cos if not I'd look tired and haggard. Definitely not what I want to look like on my big day, even if I'm gonna be feeling like that from the early call-time! Like they say, fake it until you make it haha.

Can you see the difference on the left (concealed) and right (un-concealed)?

STEP 4 – SET WITH POWDER

The last step to Laura Mercier's flawless face is to simply set with powder, which Eddie did on my under eyes and all over my face! I'm a fan of LM's Secret Brightening Powder which has a brightening (duh) effect and works wonders on my under eyes, while at the same time "locks" my concealer into place so it stays on during the course of the day.

For all over the face, Laura Mercier's Translucent Setting Powder is the best! It doesn't leave a powdery or cakey looking finish at all, but reduces any oily shine and subtly blurs out the imperfections.

❤❤❤

Now with my 4-Step Flawless Face complete for the perfect skin canvas, Eddie carried on by enhancing and highlighting my features for a natural but extra beautiful look!

I love how Eddie picked neutral shades like champagne, gold and brown to work into my eyelids. They really helped to make my eyes stand out without overpowering my features.

After which a soft pink blush was applied to give me that extra rosy glow on the cheeks.. 

Final touch-up on the eyes and I adore this shade of soft pink on the lips!


And here's my final look! All changed into my gorgeous white gown and I'm feeling every bit the part of a bride. Times like this, it still seems so surreal somehow!

A close-up on the lovely makeup, and you can see how my skin texture is still very very natural without the make-up looking too thick or cakey! I really don't like thick make-up and I love how the Laura Mercier products, especially the Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation literally felt like nothing on my face at all.

With Eddie, thank you for dolling me up!

I really do love the end results, cos I feel like I still look like myself, just better!! :D

And a sneak preview of how I'll look like on my actual day.. I'm having all kinds of mixed feelings: excitement, anxiety, happiness, disbelief and everything else. (BUT this is probably not the gown that I'll be taking on the actual day! Teehee. Similar, though!)

Some of my favourites from the Laura Mercier products used on me during the shoot!

In particular, I'd like to highlight the amazing Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide! I'm quite fussy about foundations, I prefer them light-weight but still with good coverage. I don't like foundations that feel like an extra layer on my face or those that look cakey and thick.

Laura Mercier's new Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide is a long-wear, oil-free foundation that magically blurs the line between real skin and makeup. It practically feels like nothing on the face at all, which is what I really like about it!

Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide is a revolutionary bi-phase, two part formula is designed to deliver the most natural looking colour and lightweight coverage. Colour true pigments rest at the bottom of the package while reflective waters (Hydro-Brilliant Technology) float to the top. Vigorously shaking the package before each use ensures the pigments blend with the reflective waters to create fresh colour every time.

APPLICATION TECHNIQUE: SHAKE and TAP TO ACTIVATE!

To activate: with each use shake vigorously for a minimum of 10 seconds and tap several times at the end of the package by the shade label.To apply: dispense onto back of your hand and apply to clean skin with Laura’s Foundation Sponge or fingertips. For best results, use with your preferred Laura Mercier Foundation Primer.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Once you shake and tap to activate the formula, gently release the cap. You may experience a surge of product when dispensed. This is normal for a bi-phased formula. If the formula appears separated, it has not been shaken long enough. Just put the cap back on and shake more vigorously.

The formula is amazingly light-weight and feels almost watery. I really like how it glides and blends easily on my skin.

There are a total of ten shades and Macadamia matches me perfectly. For swatches of all the shades, keep a look out on Evonne's blog, cos she'll be featuring Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide real soon!

PS. Remember always to get advice from the MUA at the counter because they can help you find the right shade!

Upon blending, the foundation literally melts into my skin and looks invisible, but gives pretty good coverage. I'd say the coverage is around medium, which is perfect for me to even out my skin tone and cover up the light blemishes that I have.

And because it's so light-weight, you can build on the coverage as well if you need higher coverage!

Here's my before-and-after makeup for your comparison, doesn't my skin look incredibly flawless yet natural in the "after" shot? 

And best of all, the makeup lasted all day, because Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide is long-wear (12 hours), humidity-proof, sweat-proof and water-resistant, everything you need in a foundation in our hot sunny climate.

Thanks to Laura Mercier's generosity, I have a small give-away to conduct!!!

Exclusively for readers, 5 of you lucky ones will have the chance to win a full-sized Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation!

Just leave a comment on this entry to tell me what you look for in a foundation, and I'll be picking FIVE lucky winners to receive a Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation each! Don't forget your email address so that we can contact you!

(PS. Laura Mercier will arrange for the five winners to go down to Laura Mercier counter for foundation matching and receive their foundation thereafter. I’ll also be reaching out to you for some feedback after you’ve tried the foundation!)

For everyone else who would like to discover your own flawless face, local celeb makeup artists Venetia Stravens and Greg-O will be at Sephora ION from the 20-21 and 27-28 September respectively! For more info, email Laura Mercier at lauramercier@starlightcos.com or check out their Facebook page! :)


Three months and two weeks away to AD.. Not sure how other brides feel but I personally can't wait for it to be over hahaha.

I'll be sharing more wedding updates soon so stay tuned!

xoxo

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