Monday 31 March 2014

The Stay-All-Day/Night Setting Trio


Just as I was Scheduling this post - I realized tomorrow was April 1st. So Happy April Fools day to you all (in advance), try not to fall for any pranks. I usually never do, but you never know.
So, with that, I will let you enjoy the picture above.. toodles..

..JUST KIDDING.
Longevity is something we all yearn for when it comes to makeup. Who doesn't want their facepaint to stay all day long? If you don't, and like the faded face look; well, good on you.
Now, I'm not talking Primers here. That is a whole new story - I'm talking that one/two/three extra steps over and above primer that makes your makeup last THAT much longer.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre in 40 Dore (Translucent 3)
Used and beloved by many a blogger and makeup artist this lovely addition to my face drawer makes me smile just when I look/smell it. Armed with the signature Chanel fragrance, this powder is something everyone's face needs. I got it initially to set my concealer just under my eyes - and that is all I generally use it for. It does work beautifully as a face powder as well. Its light - and lets your natural skin come through without making you look like you're wearing a mask - it also isn't very matte, which helps maintain the dimension in your face. Buttery soft and super simple to use, this powder is as luxurious to use as it looks and feels.
Something I think is worth mentioning is the price. This costs INR 2950 for 30 grams (before you gasp, hear me out) The MAC Loose Powder costs INR 1850 for 8 grams of Porduct (INR 7400 for 32 grams) and The Body Shop Mineral Loose Powder costs INR 1795 for 5 grams (INR 10770 for 30 grams). I did this little bit of research before I went ahead and bought the Chanel powder, so I just thought you ought to know this.

Kryolan Anti Shine Powder
I have been using this on clients and myself for a fair few months, and this thing does not disappoint - its the opposite of the above powder in terms of it being the opposite of luxurious, but that does not take away from this being a pretty darn good powder. I usually use this all over the face - dusting it very lightly all over the face but concentrating on the T Zone. I use a very fluffy brush with this so things don't get too matte. When you use this in a very light layer - it helps your actual skin come through once it settles in - leaving you looking very natural, but no oils will be through. Just for your information, this was around INR 1350 for 30 grams, if I'm not wrong.

NYX Dewy Finish Setting Spray
The last step - once everything has settled into my skin I spray this all over to get the glow back in. Though I haven't used it enough to form an opinion as I've used it only once on its own and  I would say it does help longevity, but I have been using this in combination with the above two products and I must say, it is a welcome change as it brings back the dewy(ness) to my skin without ever letting it get oily.
It costs 8 USD (but I got it at 40% off during the same sale as the lip creams)

This may seem like a lot, especially after using a Primer - but this combination of products are usually reserved for particularly long days or nights. They work just as well on their own  for a day to day basis, but if I ever find myself looking at a particularly long day (think 12 or more hours), these are my go-to. What are yours? 

Friday 28 March 2014

The best lip product... ever?


If you have been reading this blog for a while now, you would know that lipcolours and I just don't get along - not really. I'd chose lipbalm over lipstick anyday of the week. I own a few MAC lipsticks and one Clinique Chubby Stick and I've always been pretty happy with what I have. As far as formula's go, I prefer matte, as I find they last longest on my lips. Nothing really lasts on my lip - the longest being about 4 hours before it fades and generally looks like shit. I also have a problem of chapped lips, which seems chronic.
Now that I've updated you on my sad lip story, I know, I know #firstworldproblems
Lets get to these beautiful little bottles of wonder. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. I have the shades Antwerp (the coral - which pulls more pinky on me; you'll be seeing it in action soon) and San Paulo - a gorgeous bright pink. First off - these are not what I was expecting colour wise - I bought them off Cherry Culture when they were having a site wide 40% off Sale, and these honestly looked the most neutral. Let me tell you, they aren't.
They belong to the same liquid lipstick category, which seems to be so so popular at the moment. Upon application they go on completely opaque and are really easy to deal with - they almost glide on... It takes about a minute for it to set, but once it does it stays put for a long(ish) time.. on me, they lasted about 5.5 hours before fading pretty evenly. (yes, you heard me 5.5 hours!!) and once I reapplied, it pretty much lasted the rest of the day without a problem.
Another pretty unique thing about them is that they don't feel like you have anything on - no tackiness - no heaviness - no dryness that can be associated with a matte lip - your lips just feel like, well, lips.

I am pretty stoked that I've discovered them. So much so that I can even forgive how bright they are - heck, its summer, time to rock the bright lip, non?
If you were wondering, these retail for 6USD each, which is pretty cheap in itself, but with 40% who could resist? You can get them here and here.

Have you tried these? What are your thoughts on them?

Wednesday 26 March 2014

5 Product Face, Revisited.



My first 5 product face can be found here, and I would like to think my photography skills have improved drastically. I'm all about looking natural, but sometimes when I take inventory of the products I use to look natural, I'm astounded - you don't really need to use a liquid AND a powder highlighter everyday, y'know?. That, I think, is when it is time to intervene, and where the 5 product face comes in handy, it reassures me that I can still look half decent without 10 - 12 different products.

For the face I used my Giorgio Armani LSF foundation - which is full coverage enough for me not to need concealer, even under my eyes (last mention of this product, I promise). I chose my Bobbi Brown Bronzer to lightly contour my face and as an eyeshadow - it looks fab. I used my Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade for eyebrows and eyeliner. A new mascara I've been trying out is the Max Factor Lash Extensions Mascara - It adds lotsa length and really good seperation. I could have gone with a nice bold lip, but somehow I just wasn't feeling it - so I used my Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream.

So that's it. Simple, easy and takes less an 10 minutes. Win? Hell yes.

Monday 24 March 2014

The Bloggers Made Me Buy It!


Ahh, beauty bloggers - they have such an influence on everything I buy/add to my wishlist. These were the products I bought, I love, and will keep buying.

MAC 217 Blending Brush
The mother of all blending brushes. When I first started getting into makeup - eyemakeup in particular, everyone and their uncles were raving about this brush, so naturally, I bought it. Skip to 3 years later, everyone still raves about this brush and I still love it. I own 2 now. Its the do it all eyebrush. It picks up just the right amount of product to pat onto the lid, blends like a dream, and pretty much does all the work for you.

Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Ebony
The day various UK based bloggers got hold of this, my instagram feed was bursting with pictures. And I succumbed almost immediately; having used it everyday since, I can safely say I love it, I need it and I will always have it.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
You would think I'm sick of talking about this foundation yet, but nope. After hearing non stop raves about this foundation I have to agree with all the hype surrounding it. It. is. AMAZING.
Beautiful coverage, flawless finish and the unparalleled longevity. The only thing that might make me think twice would be the price. But that is one barrier I will cross when I get to it.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers
This puts every other eyelash curler to shame. 'nuff said.

L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadows
Pigment? Pressed Pigment? This does not crease, it goes on as opaque as can be and has the most beautiful sheen to it. If the packaging was a bit more user friendly I would probably reach for it much MUCH more.

Estee Lauder Stay On Shadow Paint in Chained 
When these were released, my instagram feed exploded once again. And I had to hunt high and low to get my hands on one. I even sent my dad on various trips via Whatsapp when he was in Amsterdam to get this for me. But alas, it was not meant to be. I had to wait till it was launched in India, and boy, was it worth the wait. Without a doubt I would say this is the best cream eyeshadow I have tried (not that I've tried too many). Its effortless, pigmented and lasts ageess on the eyes (14 hours without creasing or fading - by my last trial/attempt)

Chanel Poundre Universelle Libre
A relatively new purchase which I decided I have to have when Amelia Liana dubbed it the best setting powder ever. Lisa Eldridge has also used it in a fair few videos.
Naturally, with my love for loose powder it was a match made in heaven. And it is fantastic. I'll go more in detail at a different time.

On my wishlist? L'oreal Lumi Magique Primer and Lumi Magique Foundation, Revlon Photoready Skinlights, Revlon Highlighting Blush, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders and Blush, Zoeva Brushes.. this list is endless.

What are your blogger induced purchases?



Friday 21 March 2014

The Body Shop Staples


I've been using TBS products for over 6 years now, and I can safely say, I've tried a LOT of their stuff - I'd never go to the point of saying all their stuff - but most. Over these six years, while trying various things, there have always been a few products that I kept going back to, that you'll always find a backup of lying around my house, somewhere.

TBS Body Wash in Strawberry (INR 445)
I can safely say I've tried every one of their various Body Wahses, I've also tried Lush and Olay, but I always keep going back to this one - I find it the most moisturizing of the bunch. It lathers like a dream, smells amazing and is one of the only products I always find in stock. I've been using it continuously for over a year now, and I've never once wanted to switch to anything else. Staple? Oui.

TBS Body Polish in Strawberry/Satsuma (INR 595)
I use the Strawberry in most of the yer, but the Satsuma is reserved for summer. This is one of the most gentle yet effective exfoilators - I use it every alternate day - especially on my legs, and I have to say - it really has made things smoother. It has also helped with the ingrowth I get due to Epilating and Waxing.

TBS Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue (INR 795)
THIS. Oh boy, that smell is something else. This may sound gross but when I first started using this I used to get this intense urge to sniff my feet. THAT is how good it smells. It latter occoured to me to just use it on my elbows and knees aswell because this stuff.. works. As far as creams go it is thick and a bit greasy, which is why I use it mostly at night; by morning all the dryness has disappeared. It really is "intensive" and works like a dream.

TBS Honey and Oat 3-IN-1 Scrub Mask (INR 1195)
I used to be a religious Lush Mask user - but when Lush pulled out of India, I frantically began looking for other masks. Now, let me just say this now - this mask is better than any Lush mask I have tried (and I've tried all of them -_-) It soothes my skin while hydrating it and gently exfoliates too. I used it when I get particularly angry looking spots, and this calms them down, dries them out a bit and takes away the angry red down a notch. Its safe to say, this is the best face mask I have ever used.

TBS Vitamin E Facial Oil (INR 1295)
My newest staple. I originally wanted to try the Pai facial oil, but since it isn't easily available here, I turned to this. It's Caroline Hirons approved - which is good enough for me. I use it at night on alternate days, and during the day when my skin feels particularly dehydrated.

Do you like TBS? If so, what are your favorites? 

Wednesday 19 March 2014

The Wearable Purple.


Y'know how everyone always says brown eyes should wear purple eyeshadow? But what happens if you're eyes are SO dark that they might as well be black? All colours go with black right? Just a thought.
I'm scared of colored eyeshadow in general. I used to be more adventurous when I first started this blog.. I was all about the blues and the greens, but as I've grown older, colour scares me a bit, especially in Eyeshadow form.
Enter Makeup Geek "Sensuous" eyeshadow - A purple with gold and silver shimmer, so subtle that it can be considered a neutral.
In the picture, I have a day/night eye. During the day I just wore it with tons of mascara, and in the evening, I added a bit of winged liner and smoked out the bottom lashline a little.

Products Used - Daytime
MAC Groundwork Paintpot
Inglot 357 Matte (crease)
Makeup Geek Sensuous Eyeshadow
Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara
Evening
Maybelline Gel Liner
Makeup Geek Corrupt (Lower lashline, outer half)
Estee Lauder Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained (inner half)

Do you like coloured eyeshadow? How do you wear them?

Monday 17 March 2014

Review - Makeup Forever HD Primer



Before I start, let me just say that I took a before and after picture on a day when I was having particularly bad skin so you can see what it does/does not do.

Alright so, I've been using this on and off since I got in November, and I think I've finally tested it out in every way possible.

My experience with MUFE in Hong Kong was pretty much a bust, if I think about it. I wanted a colour correcting primer, and ended up getting this one, because the MUA said it would better suit me. I also got the Full Cover concealer, which does actually cover everything (I tried it on my tattoos, it covers it all up) but I got matched to the wrong shade. Sigh. This is what I get for now doing my research and just trusting the instore MUA. Never again.

Anyway, the MUFE HD Primer has 7 different colours, all of them do different things. I got no 6 which supposedly "lightens dark complexions". Now, that statement alone was enough to seriously put me off. I hate anything that is supposed to be "lightening" or make you "fairer". If there was one beauty related thing I could change about this country, it would be our obsession with fairness. I don't want my skin to be lighter. I'm tan/dark, and I love being this way. But for the sake of this review - this does not lighten my skin in any way. So, if you want something to "lighten" your skin, this is NOT it.
Longetivity - it doesn't do the best job in keeping my makeup on that much longer than normal. I would say it extends its life for about another hour or so. It also seems to work better with water based foundations like Chanel's Vita Lumier Aqua and MAC's Face and Body. So in the longevity aspect, I'd say.. not worth it.

However, hear me out, the one thing it does so decently is hide my dark spots to a certain degree - you may be able to see that from the picture above. It also evens out my skin a bit and leaves behind a beautiful luminosity.

So, ultimately, would I buy this again? As a primer - no. For "lightening" my skin - no. For adding a bit of glow while diminishing my dark spots - maybe, but there are other cheaper/better products in the market aimed for those purposes.
The Verdict - Do I need this in my life? No, but I will use it till I finish it.

I hope this was useful :)

Saturday 15 March 2014

The Capsule Makeup Bag


Since everyone is always about the "capsule" everything, I thought I'd give you my version. I first came across this concept in this video, followed by this one. And the idea intrigued me. So, here you have it!

The Face
I've confessed my love for Chanel's Vitalumier Aqua faaar too many times, but here you go, another mention. It has the most perfect coverage, where it hides all my acne scarring but leaves my skin looking all glowey and natural. Next up is the Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach, which does an even better job at hiding my undereye darkness than its Bisque counterpart. Safe to say - I should start matching myself to foundations and concealers. I have never once had a successful match - sigh, but more on that later.
Just to set the concealer under my eyes, I need powder, and the Bourjois Healthy Balance is the perfect candidate for this - never cakes and looks pretty darn natural. Lets not forgot Bronzer, which is the one thing I cannot leave home without; lo and behold it isn't my trusty Casino Bronzer, instead its the Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Dark, which works brilliantly to contour as well.

The Eyes/Brows
I haven't picked any eyeshadow (I know, shock, gasp, horror) but that is mostly due to my current love for grungy eyes - so the Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Dark makes a reappearance as my eyeshadow/socket option.
The Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Ebony has been my go-to for brows ever since I got it, but the best part about it is that is also doubles up as an eyeliner - win. And the Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara finishes off the eyes.

The Lips
Now, we all know I'm not the biggest lipstick person. So the best option for me is the Maybelline Baby Lips - the tinted formula. Keeping my lips moisturized while adding a bit of colour? Hello, thats my dream lip product right there.

So, tell me, what's in your Capsule Makeup Bag?

Wednesday 12 March 2014

The Shimmery Wing


This is a really quick Eye of the Day. I was just in one of those moods, so I decided to be a little adventurous with my usual black wing.
I started off with MAC Groundwork Paintpot all over the eyelid, and used Inglot's 357 matte to set it in place - if I don't set it it creases on me almost immediately. I mapped out the shape of my wing using MAC's Dark Envy Fluideline; to add a bit of shimmer and oomph I used the shimmery blue and green shades from my Sleek Storm Palette. I tightlined using the Maybelling gel eyeliner, and used the Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl Kajal in Nude on the water line. I also used a but of Makeup Geek Corrupt on the bottom lashline. Finished it all off with Max Factor's False Lash Effect Mascara.

Seems like a bit much, but honestly, took me a couple of minutes - I guess I'm just that used to winged liner. What are your thoughts?

Monday 10 March 2014

Lets Grunge it Up!


I used to love Grunge Music in my teens, Grunge - Metal, the whole shebang. Now, many years later, the music may not appeal to me, but grungy clothing and makeup still does.

Products Used
MAC Strobe Cream
MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach
Chanel Loose Powder (to set the under concealer)
Kryolan Camouflage Creme in D14 (eyebase)
Makeup Geek Cocoa Bear (lid) Creme Brule (transition) and Corrupt (lashline)
Rimmel Scandaleyes Khol Kajal in Nude
MAC Velvet Teddy lipstick blotted out

This is sort off my go-to makeup at the moment, what do you think about it?
Also! I'm thinking about re-building my MAC 15 pan palette - suggestions?

Saturday 8 March 2014

Forgotten Favorites


When you own more makeup than you need, you tend to forget about things. I'm the first to admit that I have OCD when - i have OCD period, I think I may need to get help. But I digress - I hate owning things I don't use, hence I don't buy things unless I'm 100% I will get atleast weekly use out of it. But sometimes you can fall into a routine of using certain things and forget all about the others.
Which seems to be the case with these three products - all dubbed favorites in their respective areas of expertise (See what I did there? Expert Face Brush - nevermind) but I have neglected them nevertheless.
MAC Face and Body in C5 is easily one of my base favorites - but with these horrid scars I have on my face - light coverage just doesn't cut it - but then I realized - I can be built up. Sure, it may take a while, but this foundation can be built up to medium - full coverage, but never once does it look cakey or like I have foundation on. It looks like my skin. A more even - scar-less version of my skin.
Clinique Chubby Stick for eyes in Fuller Fudge, a beautiful warm brown with golden shimmer that I haven't used in a little over a month. This baby used to be my on-the-go essential, but between discovering new formulas, reverting back to powder eyeshadows and getting on the reddish-brown bandwagon, I forgot about this badboy. One swipe, a little blending and we're good to go. Hello effortless makeup.. 
Real Techniques Expert Face Brush was such a favorite of mine, that I have two - two people; but I got all caught up in the Buffing Brush madness and forgot all about this. It was only recently when I realized that while I do love my buffing brush - it tends to sheer down any foundation I use, where as this baby lets a medium-full coverage do its job, while seamlessly blending everything in - I forgot about you why? Oh yes, because I'm fickle minded.. Worry not, this shall not be repeated.

What favorites have you been neglecting?

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Update/Ramble/Tattoo

Okay, Hello, I usually update/ramble on my other blog, but since this is the more active one, I thought, why not? Mix up a little bit of personal right in there, right?
Okay, SO. I've been Freelancing as a Stylist/Makeup Artist/Illustrator for a while now, and I have to say, I really like it. I don't know if I can ever do the proper office job - but then again, does anyone in this field have a proper office job?
I initially took this year off to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.. See, I'd spent every day since I was 7 thinking, "Oh, I want to be a Fashion Designer" but once I got started actually studying it, I realized its not for me. I think I'm pretty good at it, mind you, but just not for me. So essentially, during this year off, I've worked on various shoots to see if I want to be a Stylist - and I love Fashion and Styling, but here, I don't want anything to do with it.
Around this time I also realized that if I loved Makeup as much as I do - and I've been doing a lot of shoots for my friends, maybe I could do it professionally. After a few freelance gigs, I now KNOW that this is what I want to do for a living.
So, September 1st, I shall be starting a new journey. Studying Editorial, Prosthetic and Special Effects Makeup at the Delamar Academy in London. EEEEEEEEP. I've been meaning to talk about this for a while now - I only have to apply for the visa *fingers crossed*, but other wise, its official!

Lets see, what elsee... Oh! I got a new Tattoo this week.


This is my sixth tattoo, and an extention to the word "Always" I have on my arm. These are lilies btw, which I took a month to finalize (draw - redraw - destroy - repeat). IF you're a Potterhead like I am, you'll get the reference ;)

So, at the moment, I think these are the amazing things I have going on, what about you?



Sunday 2 March 2014

Makeup Geek - Evening Purple-Plums.


When I first swatched my Makeup Geek eyeshadows, the one I was a little scared off was Burlesque, so naturally, I had to use it to stop fearing it.
This is a relatively simple evening look - as I usually go a little more all out when it comes to them. Since burlesque pulls a more of a purply-plum-pink on me, I thought I'd pair it with MAC's Rebel.

Products Used
MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5 (built upto medium coverage)
Bobbi Brown Dark Bisque Corrector
Chanel Pondre Universelle Libre in 40 Dore (just to set the concealer under my eyes)
Chanel Cream Blush in Presage
Nars Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (Brows)
Makeup geek eyeshadow in Burlesque (Lid), Creme Brule (to blend out burlesque), Vanilla Bean (highlight) and Corrupt (smudged into Lashline)
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara
MAC Rebel Lipstick

I personally loved this, what do you think?