Celine FW13 RTW

Celine was the highlight of Paris Fashion Week. Each look was demure, romantic, and chic in only the way that the French can produce. But there was a true creativity and passion behind the seemingly simple silhouettes. Each cut had a purpose, each draping so fresh and refined, one can't help but recognize Philo as a master designer on top of her game. 

Elijah Liu

Love this kid, a shame he didn't make it further. We could use a Chinese-Mexican Bieber!

YULI Pure Mask Review

From one of my favorite new cult lines, comes a mask that is true to their DNA - made with natural "good for you ingredients", using advanced science and technology, and delivering results that truly make a difference. It's obvious that YULI is not only a "natural" line but a line deeply rooted in incorporating the most advanced breakthroughs thanks to the founder Yun's background as a chemist who has formulated products for various brands before creating her own line of "uncompromisingly effective" skincare.

Pure is the quintessential mask that clears blemishes, purifies skin, gently exfoliates and renews skin, and provide anti-aging nutrients. Pure comes as a powder that is water activated. This keeps it fresh and active, preventing the need for fillers such as preservatives, alcohols, silicones, emulsifiers that can irritate skin and be bad for overall health, this also means 100% of the formula is active. The base of the mask is made of a composite blend of 4 types of mineral rich antioxidant clays, then loaded with traditional botanicals (Mung Beans, Rose Petals, Willow Bark, Cucumber) which hydrate, fight inflammation, and irritation, with botanical enzymes to gently exfoliate and clarify skin, and an advanced Biophotonically charged Matcha to really repair and improve skin. I'm so impressed with YULI's list of ingredients that are both high-end, powerful, and inventive. Unlike a lot of high end brands that promote natural, clean ingredients, YULI does not overpower their awesome products with things like essential oils that are needless and mainly used for scent, instead their products have a beautifully natural subtle scent.

The non-activate mask in powder form

Per YULI's suggestions, for winter to add some moisture benefit and infuse more nutrients that can be delivered by the mineral-rich antioxidant clays, I mixed in some Royal Jelly with the mask as I was activating it with filtered water. It became a silky fluid mask that was scented of honey rose tea, just delicious! Infusing royal jelly helps the mask stay hydrated, for those who do not need something too active that purges skin of impurities.

Activated Mask (w/Royal Jelly)

I used a few drops more water than I really needed but its okay because it goes onto skin very velvety and creamy. You can really feel your skin drinking up all the nutrients like it has been starving all week for this treat! The texture made the product work really well in restoring balance to moisture and really infusing my skin with the nutrient cocktail in there. The wonderful thing about their clays is that they're so full of minerals and nutrients that they're wonderful to balance any skin type: dry/mature skin will benefit from the nutrients whereas acneic skin will benefit from the sebum balancing properties.

Upon washing off, I felt my skin looking brighter and yes- glowing. I don't want to use that word because it seems every mask says it will leave complexion glowing, but I never really notice a difference besides my skin feeling lighter at least but this mask truly left me looking in the mirror in amazement and how healthy and bright my skin appeared. All the grime and gunk trapped inside the pores are gone, all blemishes are minimized with redness calmed, the gentle exfoliation makes skin feel and look brand new, and I even noticed that smile lines even appear more "relaxed" possibly due to the collagen stimulating nature of the anti-aging actives. There is no dryness and yet dry patches are neutralized as well, and skin looks calm and restored.

I highly recommend this active but non-irritating mask. It truly shows the power of a naturally formulated, advanced product and is bar none the only mask I'll be using from now on. It is available for $52 and because it is in powdered form, a little goes a long way so you really get your moneys worth for this finely created mask that will change your skin! It is a must go-to weekly treatment I use no matter what I'm doing or where I am because it truly is the one thing you need above all else to make your skin the best it can be!

Available at YULI Skincare $52 - Here

Eve Lom Cleanser

Eve Lom's Cleanser is one of those products that on its own strength can carry a line, much like Rodin's Facial Oil or La Mer's moisturizing cream. Eve Lom's Cleanser is the perfect product for someone like me who has larger pores, and skin that tends to get oily at the end of the day who doesn't want it to get too stripped.

The Cleanser is a balm, made of plant oils and butters that melts upon contact with skin. The sweet herbal scent is luxurious and the oil emulsion gently sweeps away oil and pore cloggers while leaving skin balanced and hydrated. The muslin cloth (that comes with orders over 100ml), massaged skin and gently exfoliates off the dead skin cells as the oils are sweeped away. Revealing healthy, radiant skin.

Eve Lom Cleanser (with muslin cloth) $80 

Brand Spotlight: Hourglass Cosmetics

To anyone who has watched the Golden Globes this past Sunday, whether you love beauty or not, you've seen Hourglass Cosmetics at work. Hourglass Cosmetics is a chic, edgy, youthful, luxury beauty brand known for their primers and foundations which have legions of fans. They're available in top retailers like Barneys & Bergdorf Goodman, but a few large Sephora's also carry them.

Beauties such as Emily Blunt and Jessica Alba used Hourglass products for most of their look at the Golden Globes. Hourglass was created by a makeup artist, Carisa Janes, and is known for being cutting edge, luxuriously packaged, and modern. Their products are high performance but give a natural effect.

My favorite products from them are:

The No28 Primer Serum which is like a facial oil/primer hybrid that not only allows foundation to apply evenly and hold in place longer, but also moisturizes dry rough patches while balancing shine due to the oils. It makes foundation go on like silk and holds everything in place. The skin truly looks like real life airbrushed perfection.

The Illusion Tinted Moisturizer is an amazing light tinted moisturizer that is perfect for covering small imperfections and acne marks while delivering moisture into skin. It's more on the thick side so I consider this a light weight foundation instead that has moisture.

Got this for my mom over the holidays and have to say this is quickly becoming her favorite lipstick. The wand makes it easy to control how much color you want at precise spots. And the liquid is heavily pigmented like traditional lipsticks but is not drying which is so common in heavily pigmented lip colors.

As you can see Hourglass cosmetics makes really gorgeously packaged products that also are high performance. You can view the collection at their website.

The Fetch Holiday Beauty Gift List

It's that time of year when everyone is looking to spend their hard earned money on the indulgences they've saved up for! I've compiled my own list of the top beauty products that any fetch hunter should put at the top of their beauty list.

Diptyque Bais Candle ($60): Scented in Rose and Blackcurrant Leaves, Bais is an exceptionally high quality floral candle from the French candle maker. The limited edition black glass and wax makes this even more of a hunt for the fetchest amongst us. Unlike a lot of French scents, this isn't a strong, overwhelming fragrance, it is instead a very natural scent that imagines a fresh field of roses in any room. A wonderful addition to your bathroom or bedroom when you spend those extra 15-30 minutes pampering yourself. A jar of this will transform any room into the ultimate spa getaway.

YULI Cellular Lip Conditioner ($26): A oil-serum hybrid in a chic green glass bottle which protects it from UV damage and also mimics plants natural chlorophyll filters to keep the plant actives vibrational energy 'alive'. YULI's Conditioner reminds me of Aesops Lip Heal, but is a thicker more hydrating formula and loaded with a lot more high-tech plant actives. I love that they're a natural company so the entire formula is non-toxic and food-grade which is important since so much of lip products are ingested anyway. This bottle packs quick a punch from antioxidants to supercritical extracts, a must have for beautiful, healthy lips!

RODIN Crema ($80): The ultimate chic hand and body cream. Crema's thick white cream smells just like their renowned facial oil and absolutely smothers the skin with moisture. Add to that a beautiful and simple modern metal tube packaging and you have yourself the fetchest addition to any travel kit or beauty routine.

Red Flower Icelandic Moonflower Body Wash ($22): Kind of like the REN of the US, Red Flower's gorgeously scented Icelandic Moonflower Body Wash is not only hydrating, but the exotic Icelandic Moonflower smells exquisite. Also a natural brand, the honey base will leave skin supple and balanced and the delicious aroma will lift spirits and mood in one wash, guranteed.

Chantecaille Nano-Gold Energizing Eye Serum ($210): A golden stick with a gold roller-ball applicator, does it get more flashy than this? For the ultimate in eye relief, Chantecaille's Nano-Gold Energizing Eye Serum comes to the rescue. Tired, puffy eyes with dark circles are no match for the Nano-Gold Particles which promise to energize, fight oxidation and inflammation, and plant stem cells. Not only will your eyes look good, but you'll literally feel more energized just applying this cool serum.

Nasomatto Black Afgano ($185): Lady Gaga wasn't the the first one to market a scent that turned from Black fluid to clear spray. It seems in all facets of her work, she's derivative of the work of more credible artists and scent is just one of many more examples. Nasomatto's Black Afgano is a very grimey, green fragrance from this cult house. It's meant for the man who is unafraid to be represented by a unconventional scent. The signature note is raw Hashhish, and production of the scent was halted numerous times due to import issues of the main raw material. As I said before, this is for the brave: light, airy, subtle this is not, it is a smokey, statement making scent that you'll either love or hate. But I can guarantee no one will smell like you.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Foundation ($62): The new foundation from this house renowned for their "second skin" type products, Giorgio Armani's Maestro Foundation is regarded as the new "odd child" in the foundation game. For starters it is a hybrid foundation-facial oil, whereas traditional foundations have a water-base. This gives it a unique texture and what Armani believes to be a certain "lasting power" while remaining very natural on the face. It's a very sheer, light coverage foundation but definitely does give the perfect layer for those who, like me, have somewhat normal-oily complexion but don't want their skin to be dried out either. This revolutionary product will take some adjustment but will definitely keep you informed and ahead of the game, which is what we're all about here.

Sunday Riley Effortless Tinted Primer ($48): The innovative tinted primer that also lets your skin breathe, this is a perfect product for those of you who want a primer that provides some (light) coverage while letting your skin breath with its innovative use of silicones which unlike other primers on the market, will allow skin to breath a little more leading to a healthier complexion and possibly less breakouts. Can be worn alone or with a foundation, this tinted primer will compliment any beauty regimen or be applied alone for those 8am classes.

The Art of Shaving Horn Fine Badger Brush ($175): My favorite brush from this high-end company that focuses exclusively on mens shaving needs. The brush is thick and densely packed with fine hairs and the horn base is elegant and natural and doesn't show aging like how some plastic handles will over time. The brush provides a gentle exfoliating effect and also softens skin leading to an easier shave and post-shave skincare product regimen. The brush is made of pure badger hair which really helps to generate a full lather. The brush was made in collaboration with Gillette technologies for their expertise on giving the perfect shave.

By Terry Rose Balm ($60): A multipurpose balm for any dry place: lips, cuticles, elbows, hands, you name it! This is like a gorgeously chic and luxurious Aquaphor! It will hydrate and soften and give off a tiny amount of sheer. Now here is the best part: it smells of roses! I love my scents with Jasmine and Rose at the top. Rose is just so relaxing and luxurious so this completes the Bais candle from Diptyque quite perfectly. The rose is from this balm is just so lovely and the rose hued jelly is the perfect embodiment of the scent!

YULI Metamorphic Elixir ($50): An anti-aging elixir, this must be the Elixir of Life that the Spanish were looking for. YULI is one of the cultiest new lines out this year and they combine natural ingredients with innovative technologies in a very simple unisex packaged product. Their elixir contains Hyaluronic Acid, naturally derived bio retinols, Frequency enhanced water (which together with their botanical infusions generate really high vibrational energy that feeds and corrects aging skin). For the rose lover in me, this slightly pink hued elixir also contains actual crushed roses in its Eternal Rose Complex that has 3 different types of rose. Luxurious and decadent for the person wanting younger, smoother, brighter skin.

Investing in these products will make anyones beauty regimen chicer and skin will reward you for it!

THIMISTER

Before there was Nicolas Ghesquiere, the head honcho at Balenciaga was Josephus Thimister, who was named by Anna Wintour in 2001 as "one of the 21st best fashion designers". Thimister now realizes his vision, what can only be described as "broken elegance, melted down silver" (Cathy Horyn), through his own label, THIMISTER.

Although not as widely known as Balenciaga, THIMISTER presents uncompromising edgy, luxury fashion that both tells a cohesive story, remains beautiful, and is undeniably fascinating. I hope he achieves greater renown because his collections inject a fresh breath of air to the sometimes too safe other times too comical side of haute couture fashion.