Time Trial: Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF15

Have you noticed that when a person whips out a Clinique lipgloss, their bathroom or make-up bag mirrors a Clinique beauty counter?

Managing to secure a loyal following, Clinique have developed a reputation for gentle yet effective high-end products.

New developments for the cosmetic and skincare heavyweight are always highly-anticipated.

The Transcribery had the chance to catch up with Clinique for a sneak peek of their up-and-coming products last week.

My favourite was their Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF15 which is their Superbalanced liquid foundation developed into a powder form.


Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF15, $68

You can build the coverage to the level you want from sheer to medium.

I was surprised by the latter seeing as I’ve only ever experienced powder make-up with a really sheer “did that even do anything?” finish.

Pop it open and you’ll find a good size mirror on the reverse of the lid, an anti-bacterial brush and a dial.

Turning the dial clockwise shaves off the make-up for the brush to pick up.

Keep turning to loosen up as little or as much make-up as you need to get the coverage you want.

The best part about this number is the dial only releases as much powder as you need so there’s less wastage and far less mess.

It’s also great because you can use this powder as a complimenting finish to liquid foundation or work a bit more in on its own to leave a medium coverage.

Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF15, $68, is out tomorrow and will be available at Clinique counters nationwide.

What’s New: Illamasqua’s Muted Brights

Colour – it can instantly add dimension or draw attention to particular features and right now, we’re seeing an influx of bold colour from neon to mutes.

UK cult cosmetic brand Illamasqua, renowned for its super-rich, daring and multifaceted pigment, has released their new Spring Summer collection Toxic Nature which landed on our shores yesterday.



Inspired by the degradation of the earth, the colour mimics those common to toxic wastelands and genetic modifications.

This season’s palette plays with traditional tones by brightening, softening and mutating to give a dramatic evening look.



The trending tangerine is great for a punchy colour boost, try Illamasqua’s Sheer Lipgloss in Torture, $33, which works wonders when your complexion is looking a little dull.



Their multipurpose Cream Pigment, $42, can be used on the eyes, lips or face to add depth with a matte finish.


Cream Pigment in Bedaub

Cream Pigment in Emerge

Cream Pigment in Dab

Available in gorgeous pastel shades, they’re really buildable meaning you can work it into a look you’re happy with.

The range is super easy to apply leaving a perfectly playful finish, find Illamasqua at Myer Sydney City, Bondi Junction, Melbourne City, Chadstone, Brisbane City, Robina.

What We've Learnt: My Favourites From Fall 2011

Without a doubt, Fall 2011 has showcased an abundance of sheer talent.

The reasoning behind my own personal favourites varies from wearability to a great spectacle.

Beginning with the mod revival at a psychedelic Alberta Ferretti and Alexander McQueen's Ice Queens with their organza trains and plush fur trim.


Alberta Ferretti (Marcus Tondo)


Alexander McQueen (Yannis Vlamos)

Not to mention Valentino's ultra-feminine preppy infusion and Burberry Prorsum's bright coats, capes and flared pants all encapsulating British style.


Valentino (Yannis Vlamos)


Burberry (Yannis Vlamos)

Mary Katrantzou perfectly balanced an array of her prolific clashing imagery and prints on high necks and wide stiffened rskirts while Viktor & Rolf, yet again, executed monochrome crisp, infallible lines and pleats over thick knits.


Mary Katrantzou (Yannis Vlamos)


Viktor & Rolf (Yannis Vlamos)

I loved Celine's covetable classics including heeled loafers, turtlenecks and longer length coats as well as Fendi's use of saffron, cobalt and mustard on exaggerated silhouettes, cable-knit tights and mary-janes.


Celine (Monica Feudi)


Fendi (Yannis Vlamos)

My Top Three
Three

I'm really pleased to say I was impressed by Australian designer Collette Dinnigan's collection. Much to the contrary of critics alike, I found the sophisticated prints, modest hemlines, fur necks and cinched waistlines to be tres feminine and very wearable.






Collette Dinnigan (Filippo Fior)

Two

Bottega Veneta's Tomas Maier harnessed the 40s and 50s with polished T-bars, texture, white tights and twin sets. Moving into the 20s, the collection then brought flapper-style dresses with intricate detail using lace and fringed hemlines.




Bottega Veneta (Yannis Vlamos)

One

Bally's cape coats, mini dresses and oversized platform buckle-up boots created a sophisticated look while the darker palette gave this Little Red Riding Hood style an extra edge.




Bally (Bally)

What We’ve Learnt: Side Plays The Perfect Part

Fall 2011 has reaffirmed last season’s side part to be one of the biggest hair trends to come.

It comes as a natural progression from the polished and perfected look we’ve been seeing this past year or so.

However, this season the side part came with some slight twists.

We saw Celine move closer to a sweeping forward-pulling combover and Jil Sander take the part to the extreme by wrapping the lengths around to create an open beehive.


Celine model by Monica Feudi


Jil Sander model by Luca Cannonieri

Alberta Ferretti reignited the mod movement with a psychedelic colour palette and a side-parted fringe curved loosely across the face.


Alberta Ferretti model by Marcus Tondo

Yves Saint Laurent’s long side part was drawn even further from the center and pulled slick across before tying into a perfect low slung bun.



Yves Saint Laurent model by Luca Cannonieri

What We’ve Learnt: A Pale of Perfection

While we’re still yet to see the entirety of Paris Fashion Week, there are a few key trends we can safely take away from Fall 2011.

One look is a flawless alabaster complexion which consistently comes hand-in-hand with autumn/winter fashion.


Carolina Herrera by Luca Cannonieri


Calvin Klein by Luca Cannonieri

Forget the summer glow, matte-perfected skin creates the ideal canvas for simple refined beauty or the best in bold lips.


Jil Sander by Luca Cannonieri

Things You Should Know: The Best Mascaras

The undeniable lash King Shu Uemura's work

Mascara is the main staple in most of our cosmetic cases. Whether your lashes are short, straight or few; we all have our preferences when it comes to picking the perfect one. Here’s your guide to the best in mascara.

The Volume Mascara

With Emma Watson announced as the new face of Lancôme, expect to see the younger generation flock to see what all the fuss is about. Try Lancôme Hypnôse Drama mascara, $52, which is undoubtedly one of their most popular, famous for pumped up volume and even coverage.


The Tubular Mascara

Panda-eyes no more! Clinique are famous for their fabulous mascaras and this may just be their best. Dubbed as tubular mascara, Clinique Lash Power, $38, lengthens and at the end of the day the tube coatings easily slide off with warm water.

The Budget Mascara

Maybelline Define-A-Lash Volume mascara, $19.25, is a great budget alternative which offers a creamy formula that evenly coats lashes. It manages to find and emphasise your every last lash.

The Curling Mascara

YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils, $52, perfectly coats the lashes and gives great curl and volume. You will need eye make-up remover but the effect is certainly worth it.

The Lengthening Mascara

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Waterproof mascara, $55, is a water-resistant option that’s hardy and long-lasting. I love it because its slightly tacky blend lengthens and separates without clumping.

Time Trial: Eve Lom Cleanser

With so many new products coming and going, the beauty market can be somewhat overwhelming.

New to The Transcribery is the Time Trial section where I try a product and letting you know if it’s worth your money.

This week I’ve decided to look at UK Cult Skincare brand Eve Lom and their famed cleanser.


Eve Lom Cleanser, $115

Eve Lom, renowned for pared back and luxurious products, has an entire horde of celebrity devotees like Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Uma Thurman just to name a few.

The brand has taken off worldwide and last year it made its debut here on Australian shores.

With UK Vogue dubbing it as ‘probably the best cleanser in the world’, I couldn’t resist immediately granting it some credit.

Yes – it is expensive, but this isn’t your average facial wash, the process is more like a treatment cleanse similar to the kind you have at a day-spa.

The highlight of this product is that it has the qualities of a cleanser, exfoliator, toner and moisturiser.

The first thing I notice is the paste-like consistency and the lack of smell.

You only need a ten cent piece sized amount for it to slightly foam as you massage it on to your face.

Eve Lom recommends that you work in the cleanser and then use the cotton muslin cloth, dampened with hot water, to soak the face and open the pores.

Rubbing the muslin cloth in a circular motion increases circulation and gently exfoliates the skin.

After repeating the process three times, rinsing the muslin cloth with cold water and pressing it against your skin encourages the pores to close.

If you like the wash-and-go type cleansers, this probably isn’t for you.

While I found the process rather time consuming, it ultimately gives greater results closer to that of a facial than your average daily cleanser.

Keep in mind that the best cleansers are gentle and won’t leave your skin feeling tight and dry.

That’s what I love about this Eve Lom cleanser, you’re left with fresh, super clean and supple skin.

What’s great about this product is that it lifts all traces of dirt and make-up really easily using the muslin cloth.

There’s no rough rubbing, just gentle circular movements which saw even the hardiest make-up come off instantly.

For normal skin, you only need to cleanse at night which is a bit of a time-saver.

The positive points about this cleanser is that it’s really effective, it’s gentle on sensitive skin and it’s likely to be one of the most luxurious all-in-one cleansers on the market.