[Review] Dior Backstage | Glow & Shine Like A Dior Model On The Runway

If one watches enough backstage behind-the-scene videos of fashion runway shows, one would be very familiar with the rush and adrenaline that come with prepping and preparing the models' makeup, hair, wardrobe and all, the list seems to go on and on. Makeup is a crucial part of the whole process. This brings us to this blog post (which is long overdue by the way, our apologies), we got a taste of the models line up and got an exclusive VIP pass to witness the launch of Dior's recent Dior Backstage professional performance makeup line at KLCC. It was uber cool and fun! Thanks #DiorMY for having us *_^

The concept behind this first ever makeup collection inspired by Dior backstage was developed and designed by Peter Philips, Dior's Creative and Image Director for makeup to give women around the world a taste of professional makeup. Surprisingly the collection is very extensive and broad, beauty products from face, eyes, lips, makeup brushes right down to nail (here for more)We shall share with you our experience using selected products from the range. Let's get started, shall we?

[Review + Discount Code] Sudio NIVÅ, Free The Sound Wireless Earphones From Sudio Sweden

If you had followed LUMINNEJ long enough, you would have discovered that we are quite a music lover. We enjoy music since gosh know when. We could remember we grew up with MTVs and watching them and recording the music videos we love onto empty VHS tapes (yes, that was how long ago, our generation *_^). So you could probably guess how excited it was when we received an email from this established Swedish brand who takes sound and music absolutely as serious and go as far as handmade most majority of their parts in the production process and is a true believer in bringing the best sound to the world. Yes, we are talking about yet another Swedish design aesthetics here. This time around, it is SUDIO, Swedish design in earphones. Here for more.

[Inspiration | Musing] Finally Home

Came a long way, it was one decision we have made many moons back, making that move eventually was an incredible feeling. Trapped in something which seemingly seems liberating yet suffocating in many ways have pushed us to finally make that move. We are glad, we have made it this far. We are in a better place now, even though it will hurt the other party, inevitably. It is something we need to do, we feel, for the best of everyone ... and everything ultimately. 

Living with the two boys give us much comfort, knowing that they are all right, even though work life is tough, but we try to spend as much time together as we can during their off days. We love where we are now, at a place where we could be comfortable and do whatever our heart wishes. Life goes on. A new chapter, a different kind of life, one which is rewarding in many ways, even though there will always be constant challenges in work life, hence blogging took a back seat. 

We enjoy the solitude and ease the new space brings us. It calms our mind and allows us to have our personal ME time, ever so often and we embrace every moment of it, being alone, yet not lonely for we are connected with the world in more ways than we can imagined. 

It's been a long day, but we have finally come home ...

We hope if you are ever stuck in life, never fear to make the change, it is possible, lovelies, to pursue your own kind of happiness. All it takes is that little extra courage. Have a luminously gorgeous week ahead! 

Visuals via LUMI Pinterest here
1 Space to chill | 2 Clean face | 3 Start where you are | 4 By the window | 5 You've got this | 6 Drinking coffee | 7 Lovely own space

With love, 

Jeann

Introducing The Rejuvenating Experience of Hair Rituel By Sisley Paris

Our tresses may seem like a passing notion to some (like us previously) but to many, it is the one true crowning glory that truly deserves the love and attention it requires. After going through series of hair colour changes and experimentations, we have come to appreciate the importance of good hair care, even though we are always spotted with ultra short hair *_^ So, you can imagine our excitement when Sisley Malaysia team invited us to an exclusive hair journey with its new launch of Hair Rituel by Sisley Paris (here for more) comprehensive hair care program that aims to clean and detangle, regenerate, fortify and beautify. 

The Hair Rituel by Sisley Paris consists of 6 hair care products that were carefully formulated to give one's hair the best pampering experience. It's a sensorial and experiential approach to hair care, and upon us arriving at the pop-up counter that afternoon, indeed it was such a relaxing and pampering time with the brand! Within the program, there are 2 shampoos (The Revitalising Volumising Shampoo and the Revitalising Soothing Shampoo), The Restructuring Conditioner, Regenerating Hair Care Mask, Revitalising Fortifying Serum (for the scalp) and Precious Hair Care Oil. 

We shall share with you a little of our experience using some of the hair care products here.

Review | Cuepido Cosmetics Simply Beautiful Pure Moisture Oil-Free SPF45 & Beauty Mist

All beautiful things come from a place with lots of love and care behind them, we believe. So, this skin-loving skincare brand is no different. If you had followed LUMINNEJ for some time, you would have noticed that we fell in love with Cuepido Cosmetics (here for more) for some time now (our crushes, naturally here and here previously) and we have always enjoyed the array of natural and organic skin freedom concept skincare and beauty products the brand offers. This time a round, we would love to share with you a little brief thoughts of the two products we received many moons back. Yes, life just got in the way and it is long overdue, nonetheless, excited to let you lovelies know more here. 

All Cuepido products are formulated without Paraben, Phthalates, Triclosan, Sulphates and Gluten, which is such a comfort to know. In today's world, we are already overloaded with enough harmful chemicals, knowing what we consume or put on our skin is gentle yet effective is most definitely rewarding. Read more about the brand here.

[Inspiration | Musing] That Change Of View

I can't help falling in love with you, space, for you give me a new way of looking at things, you show me that a different view is possible as long as you have an open heart and mind. Fear of the unknown and unfamiliar is terribly real yet beautifully inviting at the same time. I embrace this change, I took it all in, head on, without having a shred of doubt that I would eventually be fine, over time. 

Space, you seem forgiving, you seem friendly enough to accommodate my weakness and all my shortcomings, a woman who only wishes to be happy, no matter where she is, to be free of the worries of the world, yet she knows too well that life is never a bed of roses and worries can only be kept at bay with strong hopeful thoughts and solid baby step actions. 

The new space seems more peaceful, rendering me more solitude of the mind and soul, to be just who I want to be - a simple woman with simple needs, to have ample mental space to think, to explore, to do the things I enjoy doing. 

I have come home, somewhat I feel. The person who I am and who I perhaps would eventually be, are equally similar yet so different in ways I could hardly comprehend but could only embrace as much as I could. Life is beautiful after all when what you search for is only happiness and good intentions, nothing more as the rest seem to fade away like the whispers of the winds.

Some things are just meant to happen that way ... 

Have a fantastic and luminous rest of the week, lovelies *_^

With love, 

Jeann

Lifestyle Review | Gaston Luga, That Swedish Minimalist Backpack That Is Stylishly Functional

You kept me close, you kept me warm, you kept me company and 

kept my letters of adventurous journeys so vividly colourful that 

what is there not to love about you? To journey beyond your eyes and mind is 

to understand the true essence of discovering one true self ... 

and yet, after all there is to explore out there, 

one comes back home to the unfamiliarly familiar. 

That perhaps, is one of our greatest adventures yet, one fine day.
What better way to go on an adventure with a trusted companion
that looks stylishly sleek and yet is a work horse and
come back home full of great memories.

Visual via Gaston Luga Online

We have always been fascinated by Scandinavian design aesthetics, especially its minimalistic and simplicity towards making things look elegantly refined, yet they do not seem to lose their charm on someone like us, it is equally captivating and mesmerising how they could seem to pull it off effortlessly *_^ When Gaston Luga, a Swedish backpack retailer (here for more) located in the heart of Stockholm approached us to explore if we are keen to collaborate with them, we were pleasantly surprised but all too happy in fact to have a further look into the brand. Once we read their brand story (here) and discovered more of their varied ranges for both men  (here) and women (here), we were enthralled by the idea of owning one already. After a few exchanges of email correspondences, our preferred choice of Gaston Luga Pråper Pink arrived in slightly less than a week! 

Visual via Gaston Luga Online

From our browsing on the brand's official website, we realised that Gaston Luga's uniquely designed backpacks fit into quite a variety of settings from their 3 main collections - Clässic, Clässy and Pråper. Our first impression of the backpacks via their social media platforms and online presence was that they are definitely chic looking. The designs are, to say the least, pleasing to the eyes, aesthetically. It got our interested piqued when we read more about the sturdy canvas materials that are used to produce each backpack. 

Review | Shu Uemura Nutri:Nectar Gentle Cleansing Oil In Emulsion & The Lightbulb Essence Essential-Oil-In Foundation

Iconic and memorable, Shu Uemura (here for more) is one of the longest standing Japanese brands which has perfected the facial cleansing routine with a wide range of cleansing oil suited to different skin types and its functionalities. This 50 years of magic legacy continues with a brand new breed of cleansing oil which is in the market for a while now - the Shu Uemura Nutri:Nectar Gentle Cleansing Oil In Emulsion! We are extremely blessed to be given the opportunity to give it a try when it first launched and now, we are delighted to share a bit of our experience with you lovelies today. #thankyoushu for the huge love! Not forgetting, we also received the new Shu Uemura Lightbulb Essence Essential-Oil-In Foundation in the same package, just when we thought it could not get any better, but it did!

[Inspiration | Musing] Drifting Space

Space drew a deep sigh and withdrew away, in hiding, in the shadow and not wanting to show her face vividly, to her secret admirer. No matter how much I beg, space retreats and unwilling to compromise. Perhaps she is utterly disappointed that she is not what she seems to be after all. 

"Do I need to tell you how I really feel out loud?" space mumbles underneath her little breath. "I am but a girl just wishing upon a star, hoping to get to hear a little echoing respond." She sounds hopelessly disappointed. I could not seem to figure her out. Perhaps it is not my place to do so.

I try to tell space a joke, but she seems unmoved by my little attempt of kindness. I miss her hearthy crazy laugh, I miss seeing her smile and her naiveté, I miss her random rants of her wild but harmless thoughts swirling in her restless mind.

Space, I shall leave you to your own corner, perhaps you do need your own space after all. Tell me when you are ready to step back into the sunlight again. I shall be here, waiting patiently for you. I know you are a strong little one, you will survive it all, no matter for you choose both sweet and bitter of life to savour. 

Be a good girl and come back out, all right, space? 

Visuals via Lumi Pinterest here | Her Face | Cultivate Kindness | All Is Not Lost

With love, 

Jeann

[Inspiration | Musing] April Kind Of Change

That moment when you realise what you miss most is just the feeling of that unspoken sense of belonging, even if it means to know that you mean something to someone, that you are truly who you are, uniquely your own self.

March saw a drastic change in life, moving onto new and different challenges in our professional work life, a mixture of excitement and adventures, rolled into one, felt and tasted like Vietnamese spring roll. Lethargically stimulated, we took it on with an open mind and heart. 

Looking at you, it seems inevitable, yes, change, we are looking at you. You fooled us well, yet we can only invite you in for a cuppa and work our way around to what seems certain at this moment, at least it is for the better of everyone. We miss certain things in life, capturing beauty, advocating the appreciation of beauty in life, time somehow is working a little against us, the tide is retreating so quickly that it takes us by surprise ... please stay a little longer, will you, please?

Perhaps it lies in our stars, wanting to live a vivacious life with memorable moments that take our breath away, always! Here's to a unprecedented April, it should be a revelation, one we hope we can face with great courage. Stay happy always, lovelies *_^

All visuals via LUMI's Pinterest | Flower Girl Under The Tree | LUMINNEJ Insta Feed | Words Go Where Alive | Lace In Bed | All White In Bed

With love, 

Jeann

[Review] Sisley Phyto-Blanc Brightening Cushion Foundation | A Whisk of Blissful Natural Radiance For Your Complexion

March presented us with a little surprise from the beloved French luxury skincare and beauty brand, Sisley Paris. Thanks to the graciousness of Sisley Malaysia team, we received a very special package, to the least of our expectation, Sisley Paris finally came on board the cushion bandwagon - presenting you the brand's very first cushion foundation with skincare benefits, the Sisley Phyto-Blanc Brightening Cushion Foundation, (here for more) extending a more than 15 years of research on the mechanism of melanogenesis in its Photo-Blanc range of skincare expertise to make-up, creating an all-new foundation with lightening and protective properties.

Sisley Paris as a brand is renowned for its phyto-cosmetology philosophy, incorporating this concept to all its creations - using the best plant-based extracts in order to create the best skincare and cosmetics. We are super excited to say the least, to try out this cushion foundation designed for Asian skin! Let's get started, shall we?