June 7th, 2014
I always get asked by readers and Instagram followers where I get certain things from. Others assume beauty bloggers get sent all sorts of stuff for free all the time and whip up reviews from thin air (i.e. copy and paste)… this cannot be farther from the truth. I am first and foremost, a beauty addict (obsessed, maniac, crazy, etc), and spend untold lunch hours prowling the malls. Even if all the brands are sending me stuff, I will still be out there prowling. And it is in spending time swatching and talking to the BAs that I got to know them better, and picked up some tips and tricks from them.
One of my favorite shopping destinations is a specific section of Level B2 of Ion Orchard, which is home to a fabulous selection of beauty brands! Highly coveted brands such as Chanel, YSL, Dior, Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura, Estee Lauder and Crabtree & Evelyn have their marquee boutiques (yes, boutiques! Not mere counters in impersonal departmental stores!) here. It is super convenient for me because it is mere paces away from Orchard MRT, making it a hop and skip away from my office.
Each of these boutiques are special not just because of the privacy and exclusivity that comes with having their proprietary spaces, but the latest collections tend to be launched here first (1-2 weeks ahead of the other counters), and if there are any limited edition items they tend to be found in the boutiques here. Some brands also offer special products and services here that are not available elsewhere. I had the chance to visit with 3 of my favorite brands located at Ion B2 recently, and would love to share some make-up tips and tricks from their in-house makeup artists with you.
YSL is one of my favorite brands, and you can find me at this boutique at Ion frequently. This was the first stand alone YSL Beaute boutique to open in Southeast Asia, the store was renovated recently and now boasts a larger space than before. Apart from the sexy and opulent reflective black and gold interior, this particular boutique is home to their National Makeup Artist Francis Lim. Francis, along with all of the YSL BAs I’ve gotten to know, are some of the friendliest and most personable in town. You can also get 1-on-1 tutoring on makeup, makeovers, and skincare consultations here (by appointment only).
Some tips I picked up from Francis recently:
And here is the completed look created by Francis, a completely fresh day-appropriate look featuring flawless natural skin and a very soft smokey eye paired with nude cheeks and lips.
A closer look at the soft smokey eye created using the new YSL Couture Palette #7 Parisienne.
This is the latest boutique to unveil at Ion Level B2. I must admit I don’t dabble with Estee Lauder products quite as much as they deserve, mostly because they seem to just fly under the radar of bloggerville. Regardless, I have enjoyed some of their skincare products (review on the Nutritious range here; and Advanced Night Repair here) and makeup (reviews are in the pipeline!). The Estee Lauder boutique at Ion is crisp and elegant, products are immaculately displayed, and the BAs here are all very knowledgeable and friendly. There is also a beautiful lounge at the back of the store for private consultations.
During my visit, the lovely Alyssa (member of Estee Lauder’s Global Artistry team) was on hand to demonstrate some of Estee Lauder’s signature 3-minute makeover techniques. Here are some tips I gleaned from the session:
And here is a half-faced look to show the contrast of using all the techniques discussed above. Notice how much more luminous the skin is from patting on ANR and the much more sculpted features from highlighting.
This is by far the most exciting beauty boutique at Ion, and the reason why I keep coming back to this mall. The Backstage Studio is a completely different concept from the rest of the Dior counters, and stock many exclusive products such as the Dior Backstage Box (Spring-Summer 2014 edition reviewed here), the Airflash Foundation, several nail polishes and eyeshadow singles.
There are only a handful of these stores around the world, and it is designed to replicate the atmosphere of a fashion show. With giant screens airing the latest Dior runway show, and changing strobe lights, this is a fun playground for beauty-holics.
There is a giant nail wheel featuring every Dior Vernis ever produced, and a cozy station for complimentary manicures with every 2 nail lacquers purchased.
There is even a lash bar where you can try on exquisite runway lashes.
Enter a short tunnel at the back of the store and emerge on the other side dedicated to Dior skincare and fragrances (Obviously the sequence is reversed if you entered from this side instead!) The fragrance bar is decked out with all sorts of exclusive scents, and with 2 specialty corners dedicated to J’Adore and Miss Dior.
Dior Backstage Studio is home to 4 Dior national makeup artists. I had the chance to get a mini makeover from Han at another event before and he is amazing. This time round, I watched Vivian work her magic and picked up a couple of tips:
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Thank you for making it through this long read, I hope the above tips and tricks have been useful for updating your beauty routine! As always, if you’d like any help getting hold of some elusive items, feel free to reach out. Lastly, I would also like to thank Ion Orchard for organizing and hosting me on this amazing journey!
xoxo
May 28th, 2014
The new YSL Couture Palettes went on sale earlier this month at select retailers in the US, and are slowly rolling out at YSL counters worldwide. They were launched in Singapore last Thursday, making this 1 of 2 Asian cities to receive this highly anticipated line first.
Similar to the Bleus Lumiere Collector’s Palette, the YSL Couture Palettes boast of a new Pure Colour Catalyst technology, which enables the eyeshadow to pack some bright and intense colours with a variety of finishes like iridescent, matte, metallic and pearl. They also last longer than before and are crease-proof. There are 11 brand new palettes, each comprising of 5 complementary shades, played out on a contemporary chromatic scale. Only 8 have been released locally to date, with the remaining 3 to be launched at a later stage. To satisfy your curiosity, and to help with your online shopping decision making, here are some swatches & brief descriptions!
YSL Couture Palette Nº 1 Tuxedo
Tuxedo is a crisp monotonal black / white palette with some greys in between. Overall, it is a cool palette with some shimmer thrown in for added fun. It reminds me of Tom Ford’s Titanium Smoke in concept.
The swatches from left to right correspond to the shades on the palette starting from center, then clockwise from top left:
Tuxedo felt somewhat drier and swatches sheer on my skin, although the counter SA was able to swatch it rather intensely on her (but hard as I tried I simply couldn’t replicate it).
YSL Couture Palette Nº 2 Fauves
Fauves is an everyday neutral palette comprising of mostly browns. It feels neutral against my NC20 skin, and should work well for a variety of skin tones.
The swatches from left to right correspond to the shades on the palette starting from center, then clockwise from top left:
Fauves is a neutral lover’s delight. The textures are soft and pigmentation is excellent.
YSL Couture Palette Nº 3 Afrique
Afrique is an interesting play on neutrals with just a kick of color. It leans warm and pulls a little reddish in undertone, but it is the type of color combination that I love. It reminds me of Marc Jacobs Eye-con 7 in The Starlet.
The swatches from left to right correspond to the shades on the palette starting from center, then clockwise from top left:
Afrique has one of the loveliest texture and pigmentation in this collection, and is a fun palette with numerous possibilities.
YSL Couture Palette Nº 4 Saharienne
Saharienne is another neutral palette but with greater play on contrasts than Fauves. It also leans cooler although still quite adaptable.
The swatches hopped around a bit for this. From left to right, center on palette - top left – top right – bottom left – bottom right:
Saharienne was very hard to swatch, it is certainly one of the weaker ones in terms of color intensity, but that problem was mostly in the first 3 shades listed above, and is probably by design to give this palette more diversity.
YSL Couture Palette Nº 5 Surrealiste
Surrealiste is a purple-lover’s delight. It is reminiscent of Tom Ford’s Lavender Lust albeit without a pink in the mix.
The swatches from left to right correspond to the shades in palette clockwise from top left, ending with the center shade:
Surrealiste is one of the few palettes in the range that does not have a deep matte liner shade but comprises of all shimmers (unless they all got transplanted all over… if so, I will update accordingly the next time I get a chance to reswatch this). It does seem just a tad one-note at initial survey, and the purple-crazy lady that I am is still on the fence on this one. But the texture is divine and the color pay-off is so beautiful as you can see from the swatches. So if you’re lacking a purple palette, this is the one to consider!
YSL Couture Palette Nº 7 Parisienne
Parisienne is the epitomy of understated chic. It is so pretty in a grown-up way, the color story is reminiscent of some of the best Japanese palettes.
There is some higher order of creativity here. From left to right, they correspond to shades on the palette in counter-clockwise direction starting from bottom right and ending with the center shade:
No shimmers on this one, but a little bit of frost without going over the edge. The colors are a little less intense than some of the other palettes, but are ladylike and suitable for most day needs.
YSL Couture Palette Nº 9 Love
Love is the bespoke YSL palette, if ever there is one palette that spells lovers in Paris, this is the one. It is a charming palette full of pinks and corals… in particular a fuchsia-plum combination screams SUQQU EX-20 to me. So if you were lusting after this summer’s elusive SUQQU limited edition release, Love is your fail-safe.
There is a divine order in this set of swatches I promise! From left to right, they correspond to the shades on palette top left – top right – center – bottom right – bottom left:
The colors in Love are spectacular, and the fuchsia shade in particular is stunning. However, the 2 peach shades felt a little drier than the rests and swatches sheer. However, I am guessing they work well patted over the middle of the eye or as a dab to the inner corners of the eyes; although I will have to actually play with this on my eyes before I can draw any conclusions.
YSL Couture Palette Nº 10 Lumieres Majorelle
Lumieres Majorelle is literally translated major lights, and it does not disappoint. The boldest palette currently available in Singapore, it packs color in every possible way.
Swatches from left to right, corresponds to shades on palette top left – top right – bottom right – center – bottom left:
Lumieres Majorelle is one for the color lover, and that iridescent marine blue is screaming for me. It is certainly a bold palette, and needs some thought on color placement, but I think it is workable for the office.
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Thank you for making it through such an epic post! I hope the swatches, initial thoughts and color descriptions have been helpful. As you can see, we are still missing YSL Couture Palettes Nº 6 Rive Gauche, Nº 8 Avant Garde, and Nº 11 Ballet Russees. Once these land, I will be sure to swatch them for you.
The YSL Couture Palettes are all permanent, and will be replacing all of the previous Pure Chromatics and Ombres 5 Lumieres. Personally, I favor the new formula of the Couture Palettes much more than the preceding lines, but if there are any that you cannot live without, I suggest getting a back-up as soon as you can. The new YSL Couture Palettes retail for SGD95 each and are now available exclusively at TANGS Orchard, but will be available at all other YSL counters by 1 June.
xoxo
May 26th, 2014
Last week I told you the tale of how I had my eyes on one YSL La Laque Couture from the Summer 2014 Bleus Lumiere collection, and ended up with both… and this week, I’m giving you a look at the one that had me at hello.
YSL La Laque Couture #50 Bleu Celadon is a light porcelain blue that has just a hint of green in it without turning too warm. This is a cream polish that I love, and was delighted to see YSL’s rendition of this for Summer 2014. I had earlier fallen in love with Dior’s Porcelain when it was released for Spring 2014, but had problems with the formula and so decided to forego.
YSL Bleu Celadon has a beautiful formula that is not too thin thus its easier to apply than other light cream shades of this sort, and is nicely opaque in 2 coats. Similar to most light colored cream polishes, it tends to streak, but is less so and better at self-leveling than others. I started out thin, and so decided to do a 3rd coat to achieve the consistency as shown.
Compared to the other summer offering YSL La Laque Couture Bleu Cyclades (51), Bleu Celadon lasted longer on me, staying pristine for 3 full days before wearing down gently at the edges.
YSL La Laque Couture Bleu Celadon (51) is a really exceptional formula, perhaps an unusual shade for summer, but certainly the best of its kind. It is a limited edition offering, so do check it out if this is your type of color!
xoxo
May 19th, 2014
For Summer 2014, YSL has introduced 2 nail lacquers as part of the Bleus Lumiere Collection. I had my eye on #50 Bleu Celadon the moment I spied the press images, and picked it up moments after it appeared on our local counters. But #51 Bleu Cyclades took me by surprise, and has been reigning prime property on my tips ever since.
YSL La Laque Bleu Cyclades is a deep blue with hints of inkiness and some subtle iridescence in the mix. It reminds me of looking into a deep dark tank at the aquarium in which resides a beautiful jellyfish gently pulsating to nature’s rhythms. Bleu Cyclades has a metallic finish which flashes both dark navy and hints of green under different angles, without going overly duochroms.
It was one of those rare moments of kismet – I had thought 1 dark blue polish this season would suffice, in which case I chose differently. But as I was planning an outfit in which a black dress would have been an easy base to work with, my stubborn brain kept obsessing over that blue polish. And it was all thanks to Sara’s comparison swatches over at Color Me Loud. I already owned Chanel Bel Argus (reviewed here) which I thought was very similar, but had a very strong metallic sheen with a holographic effect that made it more green than blue.
Bleu Cyclades is a slightly thinner formula than some of the other nail lacquers that I’ve been trying lately, but is mostly opaque in 2 coats. I felt I could even go with 3 to get the color deeper and darker. I’ve read some other reviews online saying this was opaque in 1 coat, so maybe I’m just used to applying in thin layers. Regardless, the wide head and thin brush made it quick and easy to apply, and it dries relatively quickly.
Unfortunately, I found this wore down a bit quicker than was typical of YSL polishes. It wore reasonably well for about 2-3 days, but started chipping by the 3rd day.
xoxo
May 17th, 2014
When I think vacations, I think sunny beaches, endless hours dozing on a hammock in the breeze. It’s interesting because not too long ago beach holidays didn’t interest me at all, I wanted to visit cities, museums, shopping, theater, etc. Probably another sign of aging. But whilst I cannot stay the test of time, I can at least prevent further damage to my skin with proper sun protection!
As a youngster (see, more old-ladyness creeping up), sunscreens seemed so unnecessary. It was hip to be tanned! But these days, I slab on sunscreen even if I’m just doing housework at home, because those UV rays come through regardless of rain or shine! After about 2 years of applying sunscreen diligently, I have definitely grown fairer, dropping from NC25-30 to NC20. Now in case you think it is my irrational need to get paler, let me put things in context for you… now at least my face isn’t twice as dark as the rest of my body.
And let’s not forget the damage that UV rays inflict on the lower dermis level, damage that are invisible to the carefree youngster, but creep up in the later years. Not to mention the heightened risk of skin cancer. For more information on the known health effects of UVA and UVB, read here.
Before this grows into a health & wellness advisory, let me turn to the real topic at hand – Sun Protection!! Pretty much anything comes with SPF built in these days, but as the wise old lady says, it never hurts to have an extra layer of protection! Although, do note that SPF levels do not stack up, i.e. SPF15 moisturizer + SPF15 foundation do not equal SPF30 in total. The amount of protection you have depends on the highest SPF rating that you applied. As a rule of thumb, SPF30 is generally sufficient for mostly indoors activity. If you are going to be out and about soaking up the sun, then SPF50 is better.
If you think that sunscreens (note: we no longer say “sunblock” as it is impossible to completely block all UV, and the FDA has banned the use) are thick, icky, sticky and uncomfortable…think again! The new generation of sunscreens come in both watery fluid and richer cream textures. But most of them absorb quickly and are light weight on the skin. Many also come with some color correcting properties to double up as makeup bases, and some include skin care benefits!
I have on hand quite a few at the moment, and would like to introduce you to the many possibilities of sun protection.
Orbis UV Cut Sunscreen on Face SPF34 PA++ Light
Orbis is a Japanese brand under cosmetics giant Pola, and features products that are oil-free and suitable for sensitive skin. There are several sunscreens with varying SPF levels, and the one I have contains SPF34 PA++. It has a light fluid texture that applies easily and absorbs quickly. It also has a neutral beige tint to it, which helps a little to tone down some redness but not much. For those with drier skin, there is a cream version as well.
What makes the Orbis UV Cut Sunscreen on Face unique is it boasts of some special ingredients to make you look prettier. Things like “Skin Environment Control Powder” to absorb perspiration; rosemary extract to heal and soothe skin; “Special Ultra-White Lighting Powder” to brighten skin tone; and a “Beauty Light Special Ingredient” to fix the sunscreen to the skin for longer periods.
I’m always a little skeptical to skincare claims in cosmetics, particularly when they come in fancy terms without disclosing actual ingredients. Regardless, as a sunscreen, this has become a daily staple, and is a real pleasure to use. It also does not break the bank at SGD15 for 28ml (approximately USD12 for 1 oz.).
Orbis is available at their counters at Raffles City and Takashimaya in Singapore, and online via Sasa.
NUXE White Daily UV Protector SPF30 PA+++
The latest range of skincare from NUXE targeting the Asian market, NUXE White uses extracts from White Crocus,Stargazer Lily, Porcelain Rose and Cherry Blossom in conjunction with Vitamin C to provide greater whiteness, luminosity and hydration. The NUXE White Daily UV Protector contains SPF30 PA+++ for daily protection, and boasts of other benefits such as cellular repair and anti-pollution protection.
It is a light fluid texture, the most runny and thin out of all those discussed today, and has a crisp floral scent. It absorbs quickly, and does not leave any stickiness or oiliness on the skin. Priced at SGD45 for 30ml (approximately USD35 for 1 oz.), it is considerably pricier than Orbis, while feeling rather the same to me. The skincare benefits sound fancy, and if stacked against the higher brand names (some to follow shortly), it is priced reasonably. Nothwithstanding, it is on the high end for a drugstore brand.
NUXE White is available exclusively in Asia, and can be found in all major drugstores.
Too Cool For School Jean George Llong SPF50 PA+++
I’ve always had a soft spot for Too Cool for School products, I mean, how can you resist that hunk of abs?!?!! Gah, my eyes!! This Jean George Llong sunscreen has a creamy texture that goes on silkily. It boasts of aloe vera to provide moisturizing benefits, and a special “wrinkle cover powder” to act as a makeup base. It is waterproof, sweat-proof, and with SPF50, there is no need to reapply. It is also free of other nasties such as paraben, PABA, benzophenone, talc, and mineral oil.
Of all the sun protection products featured today, this one feels the least matte, that is to say, it felt oilier than the rests. I have to be very careful here, as oily sunscreens conjure up images of olden times Banana Boat (remember those??! Really, just me??) sunblocks that slab on and leave a white sheen. No, get that out of your mind’s eye! Jean George Llong is smooth… like real smooth… hunky smooth… and leaves no sheen nor white cast. But its cream texture is heavier than the rests, and when my own skin’s sebum factory kicks in, it doesn’t hold my makeup. It is perhaps akin to a light BB or CC cream, except it provides no coverage. Best used as a base to powder foundation or for drier skin types.
Too Cool for School’s Jean George Llong SPF50 PA+++ retails for SGD28 for 50ml (approximately USD22 for 1.7oz.), and is available at Too Cool for School stores at Far East Shopping Center and Westgate, or online via Qoo10.
NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention Broad Spectrum SPF30
I received this deluxe sample in the last SpaceNK Beauty Bag.
NIA24, a Niacin-powered skincare line produced by NIADyne, which is a US-based beauty company founded by a bunch of scientists. The key ingredient is the patented Pro-Niacin, which helps to deliver Niacin deep into the skin, where it helps to stimulate DNA repair and rebuild the skin barrier. Niacin boosts energy metabolism, stimulates the release of Leptin hormone to regulate metabolism, and modulates blood cholesterol levels. In theory, this will help skin look and feel healthier.
NIA24 is a light weight cream that absorbs instantly leaving no white residue. And the very first time I used it, I loved the texture. The claim of a significant amount of Pro-Niacin makes this a unique product in the market, coupled with other delicious sounding ingredients like mango butter, ceramides (for hydration) and antioxidants.
However, NIA24 uses chemical sunscreens such as avobenzone and octocrylene to protect against UVA/UVB rays; as opposed to physical sunscreens such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which are more commonly used. The use of chemical sunscreens is highly controversial, and poses severe health risks. To find out more, read here.
Thankfully, there is a version of this sunscreen that uses only physical blockers – NIA24 Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen. Unfortunately, I do not have this, and am unable to give you my impressions on it.
NIA24 retails for USD49 for 75ml / 2.5oz. and is available online via SpaceNK US and Skinstore.
Guerlain Blanc de Perl UV Base SPF30 PA+++
I had briefly introduced this here when it was first launched in Asia last year. It has a fluid texture that goes on silkily without any oily or sticky sensations, and provides a smooth flawless base for makeup. The unique selling point of this sunscreen is that it comes in 3 different shades – an ivory untinted shade, a beige shade to correct for redness, and a rose shade to brighten. The color correcting property of this sunscreen is really quite powerful, and so you may skip a separate color correcting base if that is part of your usual routine. It also comes in both SPF30 and SPF50 (only available in ivory). I’ve tried both versions, and found SPF50 to be just a bit thicker so I prefer the SPF30 in ivory (as I don’t really need much color correcting), but I have finished that and am now trying rose (pictured above).
Guerlain Blanc de Perl UV Base SPF30 PA+++ contains Guerlain’s P.E.A.R.L. Complex to brighten skin from within and lighten dark spots. It retails for SGD82 for 30ml (which is a rather painful on the wallet, but if you can skip a correcting base, then that’s 1 product saved) and is exclusive to Asia.
YSL Top Secrets UV Shield SPF50 PA++++
This is one of my favorite sunscreens out of all being discussed today. It has one of the highest protection factors and a true broad spectrum coverage. All that in a lovely light fluid texture that gets absorbed instantly without any lingering trace of oiliness whatsoever. It also has detoxifying and antioxidant benefits… one really cannot ask for more! I had reviewed this in detail last year, so please pop over here for the read!
YSL Top Secrets UV Shield SPF50 PA++++ retails for SGD69 for 30ml (approximately USD53 for 1 oz.) which is certainly in the luxury end of the market. It is available at most YSL counters globally.
Chanel Sublimage La Protection UV SPF30 PA++
I had introduced this here when this product was launched last year and tried a sample then. I was recently given another small sample, and found to my surprise that I still like it quite a bit. Infused with the Vanilla Planifolia extract, the Chanel Sublimage La Protection UV SPF30 PA++ works on the cellular level of the dermis to reverse signs of aging. It has a fluid texture that absorbs instantly, smells lovely, and leaves skin ready for makeup right away.
As with the rest of Chanel’s Sublimage line, La Protection UV SPF30 PA++ is a decadent treat. Priced at SGD166 for 30ml (approximately USD130 for 1oz.), this is not your everyday sunscreen. And despite the high price, this provides the least protection out of all the sunscreens discussed today.
Chanel Sublimage La Protection UV SPF30 PA++ is available at all Chanel counters and most good online retailers.
Conclusion
Sunscreens have come a long way from their early days, and are now available in a wide plethora of choices. All of the sunscreens discussed here today are good in their own ways. They are not selected to be featured here for comparison purposes, but rather, an introduction of some lovelies that I’ve had the pleasure to experience. It has also given me an opportunity to discuss some of the “technology” behind sun protection, which I hope has been illuminating. Regardless of your budget, there is bound to be something suitable for you. And I hope you have been persuaded to incorporate sun protection into your daily regiment, if you hadn’t already! xoxo
May 14th, 2014
YSL has a way of producing limited edition palettes that are the stuff of dreams. For Summer 2014, YSL has released the Bleus Lumiere palette. This is the first of the brand’s wildly anticipated new quint formula, and I’ve been itching to dip my fingers in them.
Inspired by the various hues of the sea and glowing warmth of summer beaches, Bleus Lumiere features 3 varying shades of blue and 2 different corals.
Swatched clockwise from top left (ending with the middle shade):
• Medium coral with a shimmery finish that is quite warm on me and leans towards copper
• Medium salmon pink with a satin finish which is also warm
• Light turqouis with a shimmery finish, which is really quite pigmented for a light shade of this sort
• Medium blue with a matte finish, it reminds me most of the pool
• Dark navy blue with a matte finish, which leans slightly cool on me
One of my biggest problems with YSL eyeshadow palettes in the past was the lack of color intensity and pigmentation. Even though the Pure Chromatics were designed to be used wet and dry, I found that to be an additional hassle that did not produce satisfactory results. However, the new YSL Couture Palettes completely break the old tradition, and pack some awesome color punches whilst still maintaining some lovely silky textures! These will also replace the existing Pure Chromatics quads, and are expected to be launched end of May.
I was excited to try these for myself, and tried my best to incorporate as many shades as I possibly could in 1 EOTD (I only managed to use 4 satisfactorily…):
I applied the shimmery coral shade all over the lid, and added the medium salmon in the crease. Then I lined both upper and lower lash lines with the center navy blue, and dabbed on the turquoise in the lower inner corner.
And because I really wanted to experiment with using just the blues for a particular blue-loving friend of mine… here is a true blue EOTD! The shimmery turqouis blended with the other 2 blues gave a resultant look that is reminiscent of Tom Ford’s Emerald Lust (reviewed here)! There is an iridescent quality to this EOTD which is sadly not captured on this picture, but it really does give a shimmery depth to the look.
Have you tried the new YSL Couture Palette and/or this Bleus Lumiere?
xoxo
