Burberry Menswear Autumn/Winter 2016 | That Voice of Benjamin Clementine Anchored The Show

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" set the tone and theme for this Autumn/Winter 2016 Menswear collection runway show, which was unveiled early January this year (yes, that long ago, sorry!) at Burberry's custom-built venue at Kensington Gardens, graced by more than 700 guests which included celebrities, the movers and shakers of the fashion industry and media alike. Burberry has been one of our favourite British fashion brands and this one did not fail to entertain. What really caught our attention was the powerful live performances by Mercury Prize winner, song-writer and singer Benjamin Clementine, on the piano. For a brand that embraces technology, the Burberry show and performance were also streamed live on the newly launched Burberry app for Apple TV, marking a first for a fashion brand on the platform.

[Inspiration | Musing] Hello There, Electric Orange, You Look Just Fine

This Saturday smells like shades of orange, electrifying yet subtle in some ways, one which carries us far far away, above the ocean, beyond the highlands, to witness the slowness and the acute sense of being human, but most of all, to be alive, even though deep down, a certain melancholic moss is eating us up, inside, ever so quietly.

We buck up, chin up, whip ourselves out of negativity and that moody state, and face the sun, the goodness and the beauty of what life has to offer. We focus on the blissfulness and the need to constantly remind ourselves to be grateful - for the pain, the failure, the set backs, the fun, the adventures, everything that is between the extremes of the worlds of emotions, the roller coaster ride that is heart-poundingly exciting yet horrifying, not knowing what the future holds and not able to change the things we desperately want to see changed. 

We put ourselves out there, again and again, yet, most times, we yearn to retreat to our tiny little shell, for after all that is glorious on the front, we are only but a timid cup of soul, one who only dares to whisper soft hellos to the reflection in the mirror  of loneliness, like drops of morning dew glowing in the bokeh of sunshine, timidly, without shouting for any attention from the big fire ball of life. 

Hello there lovelies, could you hear what we hear, could you see what we see, and most of all, could you feel what we feel, at this moment, on this horribly beautiful Saturday morning? We hope you will enjoy this lovely song entitled Hello, from us to you, lovelies ...

All visuals via LUMI's Pinterest here | Orange Peach | Words | Objects | Spaces | Places 

With love, 

Jeann

[Review] The New Dior Diorshow Mono Backstage, Radical & All-In-Brow 3D

Our very first mono eyeshadows and a brow kit from Dior came quite a surprise to us. It is strange but true that we have a certain affinity towards this beauty brand and fell in love with her last year or so. You know how when you fall in love with something or someone, a reason seems too contrive or cliche to explain your love, it just is, love is love, that is how our love is for Dior. We shall let you in on our experience with these beauty items. Like love, there are good experience, and there are just not that great a time. You shall know if you read on *_^

Makeover By Makeup Miracle | An Extra Special Birthday Present for 2016

It is not everyday that we get our makeup done on us by a professional makeup artist. This year, our birthday was a truly special one - we had an intimate makeover done on us by none other than Kenny Yee, our new-found makeup artist friend and founder of one of Malaysia's up-and-coming and notable makeup academies in Malaysia, Makeup Miracle Workshop and Academy. When the day came, we were super excited, to say the least, as we had no idea what sort of makeup look that Kenny would be doing for us on our birthday (this happened towards the end of March *_^) that afternoon when we reached the cosy studio of Makeup Miracle, but it was one experience that we would come to enjoy! 

Visuals compiled via Makeup Miracle Workshop and Academy Official website

[Inspiration] Photographer Crush | Jessica Drossin, An Artistic Expression

We feel visual representation through photography is an art form, it captures that particular moment, frozen in time, forever - it can be as real as it can get, realism in many ways, or it can be as creative as you would like to take it, even during post edit. It is very subjective and highly imaginative. No matter which school of thoughts you subscribe to or believe in, we feel photography is an extension of how you see the world, as an artist, as a photographer or just merely a creative individual who is exploring. Today, we would love to share our photographer crush, one which we stumbled upon last year and had been eager to feature her work here, for the longest time. 

Sisley Makeup Workshop With Alexandre Colaianni From Sisley Paris

Animal prints, zebra to be precise was very prominent in the theme and decoration for this rare makeup workshop hosted by the beautiful skincare and beauty brand, Sisley Paris, not too long ago at Delectable By Su, Glasshouse. We are aware of the presence of this Phytocosmetology based brand in Malaysia but have never had a chance to get to know the brand better. So, the makeup workshop was a good way to introduce us to this French family-owned company, all thanks to the kind invitation by Sisley Malaysia, as well as to unveil their latest new makeup items called the Phyto Twist range. 

[Review] Kiehl's Precision Lifting & Pore Tightening Concentrate

Having a combination skin type, enlarged pores is part of our skin concern and we believe we are not alone. Kiehl's as a brand has also scientifically proven that sagging skin can lead to enlarged pores, even though loss of elasticity and facial definition are common aging concerns. Armed with the insights from extensive research, Kiehl's chemists developed a formula that goes beyond lifting to offer visible anti-aging, pore-tightening benefits - the Dermatologist Solutions Precision Lifting & Pore Tightening Concentrate. It is about time we share our experience using this serum. 

Featuring the power of highly refined Micro-Filtered Yeast Extract and Geranium Essential Oil, this clinically demonstrated formula is said to significantly improves the look of facial skin's overall "bounce-back" quality and definition, while visibly reducing the size and appearance of enlarged pores. Kiehl's Micro-filtered Yeast Extract has been purified to yield a potent, yet gentle ingredient and composed mostly of polysaccharides and proteins. (lifts skin and tightens pores) A careful choice of specific form of Geranium Essential Oil that is obtained through a steam distillation process also helps to preserve the most potent part of the compound to yield optimal results. 

[Inspiration | Musing] Chasing The Ball, Out In The Sun This May

To be able to feel the heat, right down to our bone, burning every inch of our skin, is a blessing and a curse. At that very moment, it may feel like we can evaporate into oblivion any moment, but looking back, it was all for the love of work, and the fun of chasing another adventure, a different experience, with those we love, with those close to us.

MAY is crazy, like a hot sexy bitch, whipping us hard, on the field, out in the sun, fighting the wind, and coming to terms with the sweat and humid scorching Malaysian weather and heat here, but we had to endure what is hard to endure, for work remains work. Having said that, our two boys had fun during one of the outstation shoot trips. We even brought the boys back to our University campus and checked out our hostel which we stayed at during our four fun years there. It truly brought back some really awesome and treasured memories, personally!

It has not been a smooth sailing month either, for most part of the time, we are down with bad flu (gosh this mind-of-its-own-acting-up-anytime uber sensitive nose of ours!) and can't seem to get far far away from it. What a bummer... but we guess, what does not kill us, makes us stronger, right?

How we wish we could lay back a little, work more on our blog posts and share more beautiful things with you lovelies here, but the truth of the matter is that, we feel like we are drowning in the middle of an ocean, an ocean of responsibilities. Here's a number to kick us into a much relaxed mood *_^



We sincerely wish you are having a more balanced month so far, no matter where you may be, lovelies. How is May treating you so far? All visuals except related to football, via LUMI's pinterest here.

With love, 

Jeann

Introducing The Gorgeous Bobbi Brown Instant Detox Mask, Nourishing Lip Color and That Beautiful Spring Morning

"Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin" says world renowned makeup artist and founder to the already well-known international beauty brand, Bobbi Brown, Bobbi herself. We also believe, beautiful day starts with a beautiful morning, with great vibes and spring feel that could almost refresh and restart the day, anew and alive, even before you begin your day right down to the end of it. That's how important a good morning is, and that was exactly what went down that very lovely morning at Alexis Bistro & Wine Bar at Bangsar Shopping Centre recently, hosted by the brand, to unveil their latest Spring 2016 offerings. Thanks for having us, Bobbi Brown Malaysia.

It was intimate, it was relaxing. We were first and foremost enthralled by the set-up and decoration for the morning, a long table filled with Bobbi Brown goodies that looked so good that one almost thought that you can feast on them. Greens and fresh little potted plants dotted and accentuated the setting. The ever-so-friendly Education Manager for Bobbi Brown (Asia Pacific), Felix Nguyen opened the morning session by telling us how he could not go without applying a Bobbi Brown mask during his travelling trips, even on the plane itself (you should see his fine complexion, it does show *_^) and went on to share with us some of Bobbi Brown's latest Spring collections and its concept, mainly a holistic approach to skincare and makeup, to achieve a luminous beauty, coupled with flawless makeup and a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Visual courtesy of Bobbi Brown Malaysia: The New Masks (MYR177 each)

Yes, beautiful makeup do require a beautiful skin to start off with. Hence, we are absolutely in love with the new Bobbi Brown Instant Detox Mask. This is one of the power-trio pack of masks that the brand has ever introduced. The other two are Skin Nourish and Radiance Boost.

[Review] Melvita Nectar Suprême The Cream | Beehive Goodness In A Bottle

Age may be just a number, but there is no harm in taking extra care of our skin as time goes by. Like most people say, let us age gracefully and naturally. Now, it is possible, with this French organic pioneer skincare brand called Melvita, which we have come to appreciate its organic and natural goodness. Today, we would love to share a little about our experience with the Melvita Nectar Suprême The Cream, which we have tried quite some time back and had been meaning to review here.

Innisfree Orchid Beauty Affair | An Alluring Experience That Is Rare Yet Stunningly Captivating

When one receives a special delivery, a bouquet of fresh orchids mix at your door step, with a special invitation card, you could be sure that it most likely come from this lovely Korean brand called Innisfree Malaysia and you are most certain to expect to have a pleasant time soon. True to its brand's philosophy, the brand is here to bring the best of beauty experience to you and for you, we are humbled to be part of that wonderful experience, that very afternoon at The Forum, KL, recently. 

Visual courtesy of Innisfree Malaysia

The moment we set foot into the lovely high-ceiling space of the restaurant which was turned into something that looks like an indoor garden adorned with fresh purple orchids, the aroma of the wild orchid permeated the air and welcomed us almost immediately and set the tone and mood for the rest to come. Greeted warmly by the amazing PR team, HashtagCity and the lovely Innisfree Malaysia team, we were all gradually seated to begin our Orchid Beauty Affair for the day. 

[Inspiration | Musing] Seeing Beauty, Sharing Beautifully

When the first word and visual were inked and imprinted here on LUMINNEJ, it was a space we have intended it to be creative, luminous and always beautiful, in our eyes, though we understand very well that the notion of beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and can never be a mould that fits all. Sharing was our ultimate intention, in hope, that everyone, especially women, in specific, would be able to see beauty and find beauty in all things in our life, be it big or small. 

Beauty to us, may not only be makeup and cosmetic products (though most of us would be pretty excited when we discovered that favourite lipstick we could not leave home without, or that lovely shade of sunnies we can't do without), it extends further than that. We truly wanted to explore the inner works of being a woman, ourselves. Yes, you can say it is a selfish intention on our part, but the more that age catches up on us, we realise this part of the urge, the burning desire to find out what really makes us tick, what makes us happy, or sad, truly, ultimately, as a woman, becomes alarmingly important.

We have openly admitted before here, we adopt quite a nonchalant approach to makeup, same goes to fashion and our own physical outlooks or aesthetics, though we never denied that what makes us look good on the outside, does in some ways, uplifts our spirits and feels good on the inside, at times. We love beautiful photography and wish to share that, within our beauty reviews, not necessarily with the intention to ask you to "buy" more (sounds hypocritical, huh) but merely our passion for capturing something, the best luminous way we know how (with our limited knowledge and photography skill). We are sharing our very own experiences, and can be subjective, and always in hope that you would still make your own decisions at the end, based on your own needs and financial capability.

Perhaps we are rambling on in this post. It is merely something we read recently that got us thinking, or maybe today is Mother's Day? We believe all women deserve to be beautiful, in our own ways. If whatever that makes you happy (not on the expense of others' misery or sufferings), we say, go for it, lovelies. If you feel makeup makes you happy, put it on, if you feel that piece of garment fits you perfectly, wear it. As for us, not all things that make us happy need to belong to us. We are merely a passing soul on this earth. At the end of the day, we realised, no matter how much makeup or clothes we have in our closet, we rarely consume them all, we only almost reach out to a handful that truly touches our heart *_^

If you are those who are truly critical and want a thorough beauty review, there are so many amazing beauty blogs out there, which will give you a more in depth insights into it, and help you make wiser decision on your next purchase. 

We are here, in our small little way, to perhaps hold your hand, once in a while, if you ever need one (virtually of course) or give you a shoulder to rest on, if you need someone to listen to, or if you enjoy something a tad different to read about, to find your soul again, to reconnects with your tired heart, or open it more, to the beauty in life. We hope, we have done so, for you, and in return, for us, to keep moving on, and keep growing and learning, as a woman.

Thanks for listening and for always supporting. We love you all. Women are strong because of love, we endure the hardest in life, simply not because we are capable, stronger than our opposite sex, it is merely because out of our love for others, we always put others before us, some times, forget that, we ourselves need some of that love too. Visuals do not exactly co-relate with blog post. All visuals via LUMI's pinterest board here.

Last but not least, Happy Mother's Day! and wish that each and every 365 days is a special mother's day (and a woman's day) for we all deserve all the love, all year round, don't you agree?

With love, 

Jeann