Beauty Archives - Page 6 of 10

My Favourite EyeLiner – Benefit Cosmetics Magic Ink Liquid Eyeliner Review

Hi All!

This review post is on a brilliant product which validates the belief that “Old is Gold”. The Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Eyeliner is one of those classic black liners that end up being a staple product in every diva’s makeup bag.

Honestly, this eyeliner is my favourite till date. I have been using it since 2011 and in the past 4 years, have finished numerous bottles with repeat purchases. It comes in a small, 2.5 ml bottle witha tight, sturdy cap and elegant plastic body. The packaging is perfect for travel purposes as well as keeping on your vanity – so compact and completely leak-proof.

Once you open the bottle, you’re delighted by the jet black liquid therein – it has an even consistency and dark pigments for a bold finish. On application, it dries in a jiffy so even novice makeup users are protected against wet-liner-smudges. As far as smudging and staying power after drying goes, this Benefit liner is virtually impossible to critique. It remains on my lids without flaking or getting lighter for many hours. I have combination skin and tend to sweat when it’s hot, but with this product, I’ve never been left with streaky, raccoon eyes.

What I love most about this eyeliner is its thin, stiff wand which allows for precise, one-swipe application. When you’re running late in the morning and rushing to get your makeup done – that’s when you truly appreciate the ease of application it offers. Perhaps this is why when I buy this liner, all others I own remain ignored and untouched till it gets over. And you might think that given that it’s just 2.5 ml, it would get over very quickly. But it actually lasts for long; I’m on my 3rd month with my current bottle.

Final Thoughts: Great Product, No Issues. Recommended for Repeat Buy

Star Rating – 4.8

Price – £15.50

As is pretty obvious, I’m a big fan of the Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Eyeliner. What has your experience with it been like? I’d love to know…

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Matte Lipstick – M Pink 355 Review

Today I’m reviewing a product that really isn’t like anything I’ve tried before. Whenever any product surprises me, I feel I must write about it – after all, if it’s unique, it deserves a mention!

I picked up the M Pink 355 shade from the Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimitied Supreme Matte Lipstick collection. I got it because the shade seemed interesting and the promise of a matte finish was quite alluring. I really love matte lipsticks for their versatility – they are suitable for office-wear, a simple day out and even special evenings and parties. So you can see why I gravitated towards this product though on using it I realized that it was something different from what I was expecting.

This lipstick gives you the most intense matte finish you could ever imagine. Its texture is somewhat like dry butter – when you put it on, it’s soft and glides easily but has an extremely dry texture. Since it is so matte, this lipstick does nothing to moisturize your lips. I make sure to exfoliate and put on a lip balm before I use this lipstick. But don’t get me wrong, the dry-butter-texture and extreme matte finish somehow feel good, even as the idea itself may not sound too appealing.

This Shu Uemura lipstick has a long staying power and remains intact for at least 4 – 5 hours. Worn for an entire day, the pigmentation fades a bit and but your lips never look bare. The M Pink 355 is a soft mid-tone pink that gives a fuchsia tinge to the lips. Since my lips are pigmented, I wear foundation underneath to prevent the colour becoming a darker shade on most days. But sometimes, when I want a more intense pink, I forgo the foundation and get a darker shade.

Essentially speaking, I get two colours with one lipstick!

Final Verdict:

Great Coverage
Lovely Color
Staying Power 3 to 5 hrs
leaves a nice pink tint behind

Star Rating – 4.1 Stars

Price – £20 in UK

Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion and Hand Cream

Like many women around the world, I have severely dry skin. This condition tends to become worse during the winter months, when the unconducive combination of freezing weather and indoor heating wreck havoc on my skin by sucking out the moisture from it.

Needless to say, it is extremely difficult to find products that can truly nourish my skin. Some products don’t absorb well enough, whilst others don’t moisturize well enough. Others, still, take way too long to rub into my skin, which is a major deal-breaker for me. So, you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the answer to my skincare prayers: the Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion and the Aveeno Hand Cream.

I’ll start by talking about the lotion. Formula-wise, this beauty combines the goodness of colloidal oatmeal with rich emollients – a combination that works hard to nourish, protect and prevent dry skin. Now, when I first used the product, I found it very hard to believe Aveeno’s claim that the product lasts for 24 hours. Truth be told, I was praying that it would last at least 12 hours but guess what? It actually does last for almost 24 hours! I was totally blown away by this discovery.

As if that wasn’t enough, the product feels is very light in consistency (unlike other deep moisturising creams) and absorbs into my skin super quickly, leaving it soft, supple and smooth as silk. My skin absolutely loves and agrees with this product, soaking up all the moisture that it has to offer. I can’t get enough!

Now, as with the rest of my body, my hands are extremely dry as well. In fact, I fear that my hands will be the first to show my age, because they don’t have any fat tissue in them to keep them soft. I have been on the hunt for a great hand cream for a while now. At the time, I was using four different creams from four different brands, with one on my desk, in my bag, next to my bed and on my study table at home.

When I tried the Aveeno Hand Cream, I was absolutely delighted. It does exactly what you would expect a good hand cream to, and a little bit more. The highlight is that this hand cream absorbs very quickly – I hate hand creams that feel sticky and leave behind a residue. This cream does have a fragrance, but it is very subtle and it won’t irritate you at all. Like the lotion, the hand cream lasts for a while, unless you have used a very strong soap to wash your hands.

If your skin is dry and dehydrated, I definitely recommend both of these products. Give them a whirl, and I promise that you will never look back!

Product rating: 4 Stars

My Make-up Bag this Month – March 2016

Here is another post in the series of What’s in my Make-up bag these days.
I missed the one for Feb as I was travelling and pre occupied with all the London Fashion Week Posts. I hope you enjoyed those, in case you missed those here is link to all the current posts for London Fashion Week AW 2016.

So coming back to this month’s make-up bag contents, as You can I am carrying a bright now pink Dior Clutch which is one of my prized possessions these days *wink* *wink*

Now the main contents of the bag, honestly these products are some of my favourite for long long time.

Urban Decay Naked Blush Pallete – Whats not to like, I get a bronzer, blusher and highlighter all in one, and if you have read my review post of this product you will know I never use it without my Urban Decay Brush
Revlon Ultra HD Lip Laquer – HD Garnet- Great Colour to quickly add brightness to face any time of the day, long staying power and since it’s like a matt gloss it also keeps my lips nourished, and as the name suggests it has lovely High Def finish.
Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara – I got one their miniatures and since its tiny I can easily carry it and save space as well. Great for a quick pick me up for my eyes and face!
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector – Great to make sure my lips are nourished and not chapped through the day, with time I have realised once should never ever go without making sure that their lips are soft and supple and I love the sweet taste as well, very rare to find in lip balms but I love it.
Mac Prep + Prime Powder – One of the best translucent pressed powder from MAC controls shines and excess oil and makes your make up look flawless whatever the time of day
Benefit Magic Ink Mascara – Hands down – My favourite mascara and I promise to review this ASAP, but I have been using this particular one since 2011 and I cant even remember how many bottles I have bought, love the colour, coverage and also the brush applicator which is my favourite part.

Hope you all love reading these posts from me and do comment below if you have any make-up or beauty questions and I promise to answer them personally.

Ooharr Face Mask Reviews

Today I’m reviewing a set of products that I received in post few weeks back and the net result is that the Ooharr Face Marks turned out to be quite effective in doing what they claimed and well, my skin is all the better for it.

Ooharr is actually a new brand of natural products that are not exorbitantly priced. So far, they have launched three face masks, suitable for all skin types. These come in individual sachets with bright packaging, which is actually what first caught my attention. I have used all the three variants, i.e. Dead Sea Cooler, Rosie Glow and Star Glow – so read on to find out how I feel about them.

Let’s begin with the Dead Sea Cooler. This mask is supposed to leave your skin feeling “refreshed and revitalized”. It is composed of tea tree oil, witch hazel, peppermint, argan oil, bamboo powder and almond oil. This combination exfoliates the skin and cleanses it deeply, infusing it with the right amount of moisture. It has a minty-herbal smell, gritty texture and cooling effect on application.

Upon removal of the mask, my skin felt clean, smooth and devoid of excess oil, despite being hydrated. This mask is great for those with oily to combination skin and would be ideal for a session of self-pampering after a long, tiring day.

The next mask I tried was Rosie Glow which promises a “deep cleansing” action that should have your skin looking “rejuvenated and refreshed”. It has several essential oils including rose oil, geranium oil and palmroasa oil, as well as dead sea salts, all of which are known to purify and soothe skin simultaneously. This one has a calming, floral fragrance and smooth, thick texture that clings to the skin. On washing off the mask, I felt my skin looked well-hydrated, healthy and squeaky clean –similar to when you come out of the salon after a clean up. This one is good for those days on the weekend when you want to cleanse your skin thoroughly to look fresh for the upcoming week.

Finally, we come to Star Glow which is a “skin polisher” that shalll keep your skin “radiant and refreshed”. The mask is enriched with vanilla, honey, argan oil and jojoba oil for nourishing the skin to give it a beautiful glow. It has a lovely smell that reminds me of raspberry pudding and a gritty texture which exfoliates the skin on application. After washing it off, I could literally see the difference – my pores looked minimized, my skin felt soft and supple, and my face was lowing almost as if I had makeup on! I think this mask is great as pre-party skin-brightening ritual for it really gives the complexion an even, radiant finish.

What I love about these masks is the fuss-free application and removal – just leave them on for 15-20 minutes (till they dry) and wash off with water. They smell good too, which is an added bonus. If you ask me which one my favourite is, I’ll probably say Star Glow. But I feel I’ll be using more of the Dead Sea Cooler in the upcoming summer months.

Star Rating – 3.8 Stars

Price – £1.20 per pack

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen SPF 25 Review – Swatch Beige

This is a review of another product from my Benefit Haul last month. Now, if you’re wondering why this review is coming up so late – I don’t pen down my opinion till I have tested a product myself over a significant period of time. After one month of usage, I’ve experienced this foundation’s effect in all kinds of conditions – daywear, nightwear, long hours, etc – and so can make a better, more informed judgement.

So here goes – I bought the Beige shade of Benefit’s Hello Flawless Oxygen SPF 25 range. This foundation is meant for light to medium coverage and promises a healthy, luminous glow. Apart from its hydrating benefits, this it has an oil-free formula and SPF 25 PA+++. For those who are not aware of this, SPF denotes the grade of protection against UVA rays, while PA stands for that against UVB rays. Three stars are the highest level of UVB protection possible, and thus, this product is great for the summertime when chances of sun damage are high.

This is what attracted me to the product first – I exclusively use cosmetics with high SPF in summers, it’s not something I can do without. But even other than the sun protection quotient, this foundation worked wonders for me. It provides a great finish that is natural, yet gives my complexion a flawless glow. I generally build to medium only on special occasions since light cover is good enough for ordinary days.

I have noticed that being water-based, this foundation never feels heavy on the skin. It lasts longer when I wear it with the Benefit Porefessional Matte Rescue Balm which is meant for pore reduction. You can also wear it with Benefit’s 15 Hours Stay Flawless Prime. But the product is so good, it hardly needs any fortification from other products in general.

Here you can see a picture of the foundation blended on my hand and another at bottom where I’ve used it with the Benefit Porefessional Matte Rescue Balm. The shade is one tone darker than what I normally use, but that’s how I prefer it in summer months. This is because skin tends to get darker due to tanning in this period and one shade darker foundation tends to blend better.

So this was my review of Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen SPF 25.

Final thoughts: Great for Summer Months with a decent SPF built in, good for daily wear and even buildable.
Love the fact that it helps in preventing the signs of aging as it contains Vitamin C & E derivatives as well

(my LOTD- wearing the Hello Flawless Foundation and Benefit Porefessional Matte Rescue Balm )

Star Rating – 4 Stars

Price – £26.50 / 30 ml.

PS: For more tips and tricks such as the one about darker foundation in summers, follow my account and I’ll keep helping you with such titbits!

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Coconut Oil – Vita Coco Review

This post is about a wonder product that we all must have in our vanities. It’s the LBD of beauty care – it’s versatile, does wonders for the appearance and is absolutely fabulous. Yes, I’m referring to coconut oil here; that one-stop-vial of goodness that we all need in our lives!

I always keep virgin coconut oil handy so I can whip it out to meet my numerous beauty needs. It’s best to use the virgin or extra virgin variety for they contain more nutrients. Regular coconut oil is made from dried coconut flesh that is subjected to high temperatures and several refining processes, all of which affects its nutritive value. Virgin and extra virgin oil is produced using more sophisticated methodologies, making them the best possible variants to use. But these days, there are also some products that add more organic nutrients to coconut oil, transforming them into products with more beauty benefits than ever!

(Vita Coco Coconut Oil – is my go to makeup remover these days)

And as far as the beauty benefits of coconut oil are concerned, the list is virtually endless. We all know that coconut oil has high hydrating properties that make it an ideal moisturizer for the skin and body, especially in those cool winter months. And our grandma’s have instilled in us, a deep faith over the hair-nourishing capacities of coconut oil. Seriously, not only does it work wonders for pre-head-wash oiling, it is also great for taming fly-aways or as a leave-in serum for smooth, frizz-free hair. I also use it as a lip balm sometimes, when my lips are extremely chapped and need an instant quick-fix. Other than this, coconut oil works well as a massage oil, body scrub (when mixed with sugar) and highly effective makeup remover too. For those who are into fitness and healthy cooking, coconut oil is quite a good option there too; it is known to increase metabolic rate and aid weight loss. Now when there is so much that one single product can do, wouldn’t you be singing praises of it too?

(Look what I cooked here with Vita Coco – Bruchetta and it was yummylicious)

As mentioned above though, not all varieties of coconut oil are quite as brilliant. You have to find a concoction that is genuine and optimally suited for use in one’s beauty regime. And I found the perfect product – I can’t stop gushing about it! It’s none other than Vita Coco – an organic, 100% raw, extra virgin coconut oil, derived using cold-pressing techniques. It is packed with antioxidants and numerous nutrients that have thus far, met all my beauty needs. I use Vita Coco for virtually everything – oiling my hair, healing irritated skin, removing stubborn makeup, on dry lips, cracked heels, and even for cleaning my makeup brushes! I have also used it to add some extra sheen to my eye makeup on special occasions. When I get the time, I intend to mix it with some Epsom Salts to create a DIY body scrub too. Clearly, I am a very big fan of Vita Coco.

If you want to try it out as well, it is easily available in big chain stores like Boots, Selfridges, Urban Outfitters, Holland and Barrett, Ocado.com, Tesco and Wholefoods. You could also buy it online at amazon.co.uk. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs some TLC at home, with just one awesome multipurpose product.

You can find more details about this product and some brilliant ideas at www.swearbyit.com

Star Rating – 5

Price -£9.99 (500ml

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

BeneFit Cosmetics POREfessional Matte Rescue Review

I’ve recently come across many ardent fans of the BeneFit POREfessional range, and so got really curious about these products. I finally got my hands on the newly launched Matte Rescue Gel which claims to reduce pores, tackle excess oil problems and also keep the skin hydrated, thanks to the Benefit Haul.

I have combination skin and am always on the lookout for good mattifying products, especially during the warmer months of the year. This gel based formula seemed to be perfect for my needs, since it also contains diamond powder for a soft focus pore-blurring effect. I was surprised by the light blue shade of the gel and the cooling effect it had on my skin. It felt nice though, and a small amount was enough to cover the entire face. Plus is that it comes in a tube and is very handy to carry around as well.

On putting it on, I immediately noticed that my face looked fresh and oil-free, with none of that off-putting shiny finish. Thus, it can be used directly as a moisturizer or even as a primer too. In fact, some foundations react with excess facial oil, making the skin look darker as the day progresses; but with the BeneFit POREfessional Matte Rescue Gel, this can be prevented to a great extent. My recommendation would be to use it for sure if you are going to be wearing makeup for more than 8 hrs in a day as it will help protect the colour of the foundation and make it look fresh all day.

My final take on this product it is that it’s wonderful for those with combination or oily skin. It has great hydrating ability and keeps your face shine-free for longer, while also reducing visibility of pores. I think I might be buying this again once I’m done with this tube!

Price: £21.50

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Pros:

Great price
Does it what it says

Cons:

not recommended for dry skins
can be drying in winter months

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil for Dehydrated Skin – Review

In recent months, I have found myself moving away from facial serums. In fact, I have been on the hunt for a new face oil to rejuvenate my skin, so when I laid my eyes on the Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil, I knew that I had to try it. This product is specially formulated for dehydrated skin and it is made entirely from pure plant extracts, including Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid. It also contains Hazelnut Oil, which is known to lock moisture in to your skin and prevent the formation of fine lines. What more does a woman need? I have been using this product for over a month now, and have been pleasantly surprised to see that it lives up to its claims. The first thing I have noticed about this face oil is that it really does moisturise your skin, and how!

After only a few uses, my skin felt soft, supple and super hydrated. This also resulted in a more flawless finish when I applied my makeup because my foundation sat better and for much longer on my skin. I also noticed that when my skin had drunk up all the moisture from this product, it started to look brighter, radiant and really, really healthy. This face oil is especially great for the winter, when your skin is dry, dull and in need of ‘a little more’ to revitalise it. I absolutely love that the consistency is very thin and light for an oil, so it spreads quite easily and absorbs into the skin very quickly. It leaves behind a slight glow, as opposed to a greasy, heavy or oily finish. In my books, that is a major plus point!While the product revitalises lifeless, dehydrated skin, I have also noticed that it has a subtle toning effect that minimises the appearance of pores and really tightens them up. It has a similar effect on blemishes – it sooths any raw, red inflammations and completely banishes the blemishes within a couple of days. Overall, I have seen a positive change in the appearance and texture of my skin.
So, how should you use this product for optimal results? The best time of day to apply this product is the evening, as recommended by Clarins. After you have cleansed and toned your face, apply a small amount of the oil to your face and neck, and let your skin soak up all the goodness overnight. I promise that you will feel like a brand new person in the morning!

Price: £32.00

Pros:

Moisturizing
Lasts Long
Nourishing

Cons:

You still need serum or morning face cream in winter months
Slightly on the expensive end

MeeBox Feb 2016 Box Review

Today I’m reviewing a beauty box that I really enjoyed using. MeeBox is exclusively for the nail nerds. It comprises of only nail-care and nail-art products and is available with two kinds of subscription packages. You can either go in for a monthly subscription at £20 or save £6 with a quarterly subscription of £54.I personally love the concept of subscription boxes. They expose you to new brands and products which you may not have bought off a store otherwise. These are the sort of products you see at a store, are extremely fascinated by too, but always forgo in favour of a tried and tested product. A beauty box is like a blind purchase where you are pushed out of your comfort zone and try new things.So, when I got this MeeBox in my mail, I was super excited to open and see what’s inside. The anticipation and final reveal in itself was quite thrilling. Even before I unpacked it though, I was quite impressed by the sturdy yet beautiful packaging. Inside, there were four products, wrapped in a confetti-themed paper and when I got past the cuteness of it, this is what I found inside:

Smith and cult £19
Leighton Denny £11
Nails Inc £14
Sparkly nails £1.50
Plus Chanel (for those who received it) £18

As you can see above, the RRP of these nail products totals at approximately £63.50 which is far more than the price of this MeeBox. And each of the polishes was a distinct, lovely shade. The peach Smith and Cult is great for a soothing, office look. The red Leighton Denny would go well with a party outfit and the gold, sparkly Nails Inc makes for a great top coat. For those who love nail art, the Sparkly Nails crystals are perfect for making patterns over your polish; trust me, when you start with that, nail painting becomes so much more fun!I really liked this MeeBox because there was a wide range of products and you’d be sure to find something to your liking, no matter what your personal style is. As soon as I opened it, I began experimenting and you can see the results in this picture of my newly-done nails. Don’t they look great?

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette Review

Urban Decay products are known for their outstanding quality. Needless to say, I had very high hopes from the Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette and I’m glad to report that this product not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. This palette contains a gorgeous bronzer, silky highlighter and beautiful blush. This product comes in three shades – Native, Streak and Strip. I opted for Strip, which complements my olive-toned skin really well.

Naked Urban Decay Flushed Pallete Review

The highlighter in this product is really, really good. As per the standard rules of contouring, I use the highlighter on the areas that I want to focus the light upon, and I use the bronzer to shadow and lend depth to my face.

But what I absolutely adore about this product is the blush! It’s definitely my favourite of the three and I use it on its own as well as in combination with the highlighter and bronzer if I’m doing a full face of makeup. Unfortunately, it does not come with a brush so I bought the double-ended brush by Urban Decay to use with it. And what a great combination that is! I use the bigger side for the blush and bronzer, and the smaller side for the highlighter. This routine works really well for me.

Naked Urban Decay Flushed Pallete Review 2

Personally, I prefer powder highlighters and blushes to cream ones. I find that powder formulations keep the oiliness at bay. They are also much easier to blend.

Overall, this is a great product; however, I would love to see more colour options. A brush tucked inside would be really handy as well! Good going, Urban Decay.

Cost: £23.50

Pros:

Great Powder
Brilliant Coverage
Neat packaging
Cost Effective as you get 3 products in 1
Compact & Travel Friendly

Cons:

Missing a space to carry brush

Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Instant Wipeout Masks Review

As part of the Benefit haul that I spoke about earlier on my instagram account, I snapped up an exciting product from the brand’s Porefessional series – behold the Benefit Porefessional Instant Wipeout Masks!It goes without saying that the packaging was really good – as it usually is with most Benefit products – so this one made a great first impression. The two-step application process was rather interesting as well. The product comes with sheet masks (these are all the rage right now!) and serum in a plastic bubble which you must “pop” to soak your sheet mask in the serum. Fascinating, right? The serum is loaded with mushroom extract which is known to clarify and tighten pores.

What I absolutely loved about the sheet masks was that the sheet was custom made to sit comfortably on the nose and cheeks, where most people have a plethora of open pores. I tend to have open pores on my chin from time to time as well so I tore off some of the sheet for that region of my face. The product has an immediate cooling effect on the skin which lingers long after you have removed the mask. It really feels like it goes to work on your skin!

You apply the smooth side to your skin and let the mask work it’s magic for ten minutes, after which, you can use the rough side to remove the excess product. It is small and thoughtful features like this, that I absolutely love in a product.

Overall, this is a good face mask to attack your open pores, remove dirt and rejuvenate your skin. I would give it four stars out of five. I’ve used it a couple of times so far but with eight masks in a box, I know that it will last me a while. I have dry to normal skin so I use this product every few weeks, but for those of you with oily skin, once a week is a good idea.

Pros:

It does what it says
Really good and hygenic packaging
Travel Friendly

Cos:

Slightly Expensive (£3.06 per sheet mask)

Rating : 4 Stars

Price: £24.50 for 8 Sheets

*The products in this post were sent to me for review, but all comments and review of the product is my own.

London Fashion Week – Look of the Day – Makeup Breakdown (LOTD)

If you are a regular follower to the blog, you would know by now that I love my subtle no makeup looks a lot, and for the day time mostly you would see me more often than not repeating the less is more Mantra! Well but for this one I have gone a tiny bit over the top, if I must say so 😉 and why not it was Fashion Week and it only happens twice so I did have some, getting a bit overboard with my makeup. I had lots of people pinging me for close-up images and makeup-breakdown for the days I was there, and here is a makeup breakdown of my Day 3 at London Fashion Week. I hope you like it. Please do leave a comment below, in case you have any questions that you would like me to answer regarding your makeup query or this specific look. I love to talking to all my readers whenever I get the chance.

Products used for this look are:

Mac Strobe Cream
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Foundation with SPF 15
DIOR Diorskin Nude AIR Loose Powder
Mac Groundwork Paint Pot
Benefit Magic Ink Eyeliner in JetBlack
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Pallete (Sin, Creep & Hustle)
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara
Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm – Plushest Punch
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless coverage concealer

All Under 10 Products – well that is pretty cool isn’t it!

Olverum Bath Oil Review

This post is especially for those glam girls out there who are always on their toes. Let’s face it, we are all super-stressed out with a million things to do, not enough time and of course, an innate desire to look our best. So sometimes, we are in desperate need of a breather and want to unwind in absolute luxury.

If you can identify with this feeling, let me introduce you to this wonder-product called Olverum Bath Oil. This is a therapeutic oil which contains 10 pure essential oils, blended to perfection. It is highly concentrated, thus providing a strong fragrance with the smallest quantity. In terms of its restorative benefits, it will help you get a good night’s sleep, sooth sore and aching muscles and even ease a cold or flu.

If you live in the UK, you’ve probably heard a lot about this Olverum Bath Oil, if not used it. It enjoys a sort of cult following here though it has now been re-packaged under new British ownership. But don’t worry, the amazing formulation remains unchanged, and its’ almost century-long popularity has not been affected. And I totally understand why this is such a hit, especially with women. Its ability to soothe one’s tired senses is simply divine, and well, I am a very big fan now.

I first used Olverum when I was sent the sample with instructions that only 5 ml would suffice for one bath. And I was pretty excited to try it out. You see, I’m a busy Mom, with much office work, lots to do at home, and also this blog. So bath time is me-time for me. Long, luxurious baths on the weekend help me relieve week-long fatigue and muscle stress from the gym. So when I got the oil, I decided to test them asap and what I pleasure it was!

I took the bottle thinking, just in case needed I would put more in, but Oh My Word! Only 5ml was more than enough. The moment I popped one cap full into the water, the wonderful aroma spread all over the place and immediately delighted me. So trust me when I say that 5 ml of Olverum is all you need for that perfect bath, which is quite rare with such products; in my experience, anything less than 1.5-2 times the recommended quantity usually isn’t sufficient for me personally. And the best part is, Olverum’s fragrance is strong yet exquisite, with a unisex appeal that’ll leave anyone feeling absolutely refreshed!

My final take on Olverum Bath Oil thus is that it’s truly brilliant. It delivers what it promises and leaves me relaxed and rejuvenated in a matter of minutes. It’s a must-have product for all those tired mums out there. Indulge in some home-therapy with this bath oil and you’ll enjoy the wonders of a stress-free mind and deep, deep sleep.

PS: I am going to buy a big bottle the moment I run out of my sample – that’s how much I loved it!

Cost: You can get 125ml for £26.00 and will be enough for 25 baths, and the 250ml for £48 and enough for 50 baths.
Their main stockist is www.houseoffraser.co.uk

5 Makeup Tips for a Flawless Finish Everyday

Women love their makeup and a good portion of us “getting ready” period, is spent putting on numerous products. But makeup enhances the looks, only when done well. So here are 5 makeup tips that will help you get your look right every time!

Match Products to Complexion

From base makeup to skin enhancers, lip-colours and eye-shadows, always go for shades that complement your skin tone. Nothing looks more shabby than wrong-toned foundation, unflattering cheek stains and jarring eyes or lips. Always test products at the sales counter before buying to make sure they are the right choice for your skin.

Always Accentuate One Feature

Whenever you’re doing your makeup, accentuate only one of your features, be it your eyes, lips or cheekbones. If you try and highlight all three features, you’ll probably end up looking like a heavily caked geisha. Drawing attention to just one feature tends to create a soothing look which is striking and glamorous nonetheless.

Be-Aware (beware) of the Weather

Always do your makeup in keeping with the weather conditions outside. If it is hot and humid, use lighter, gel/water-based products. If it is dry and wintery, use hydrating, cream-based ones. And keep blotting paper handy at all times. You don’t want any smudges or sheen to ruin your look, do you?

Use Q-Tips for Correction

What do you do when you make small errors while doing your makeup? Those little smudges? Those squiggly lines? Use Q-tips. Before starting your makeup, dip a Q-tip in makeup remover and keep on your dresser, ready to use whenever you falter. This way, you’ll clean up what’s botched without making a mess or having to re-do everything, all over.

Use Clean Surfaces Only

Any surface you use your makeup on/with need to be clean. So wash your face and hands thoroughly before donning on your products. If you work on unwashed skin, all oil and impurities and dirt will get trapped inside and later cause pimples and blackheads.

Use these makeup tips and you’ll notice the difference, everytime!

My Favourite Makeup Products from 2015

I have been going through my makeup kit and all the reviews I have posted here so I can decide what my favourite products from 2015 are. Trust me, it has not been easy, but finally, I’ve made up my mind! So, here is a list of all the products which have ranked very highly in my beauty cupboard in the past one year.

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette – I use it almost every day, especially the neutral shades. It has also come in handy during the winter wedding season; the shades perfectly matched my gold-toned ethnic outfits. I’m now thinking of investing in a second Naked palette and maybe it’s a little late to get hooked to it but here I am now!

Garnier Miceller Water – Garnier’s Micellar Water has proved to be quite handy. While reviewing it I wasn’t sure I’d repurchase it for it wasn’t effective on eye makeup. But since it clears all other products from the face in just about one swipe, I’m slowly realizing it really cuts down on after-party skincare time.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation – This was a great discovery and investment this year. It gives such lovely, undetectable coverage, and that too with sun protection! I’m not sure I will ever leave it, but since it can get drying sometimes, I’ll have to come up with ways to fix that in the winter months.

Sultry Sulfurese Revlon – Oh, what a pretty, pretty shade of pink this is! This is literally my go-to lip product because it works for everything – regular office-wear, casual outings and even for a party look.

Chanel No5 Perfume – My favourite perfume ever, it is subtle but powerfully alluring; just like me! You can gift this to me any day and make me oh-so-happy!

Clarins Hydraquench Cream SPF 15 – This has been my favourite cream for a while now. It gets absorbed into my skin instantly and both hydrates and nourishes it. And best part is, it comes with SPF!

L’Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Primer – I feel primers are a must for my skin and this L’Oreal product is a multi-purpose wonder. It ensures luminous, highlighted face contours, gives a dewy finish and allows foundation to simply glide on.

The Body Shop Brazil Nut Dry Oil – This is a magical product that has worked wonders on my face, hair and skin. I don’t know what I’d have done without it during the chilly times of winter 2015. The lovely smell is a bonus!

Clarins SPF50+ Sunscreen – I take my sun protection very seriously and I have to say, this Clarins product was quite a good buy. A little expensive may be, but it does what it promises so I’m not complaining.

L’Oreal Professional Mythic Oil – Oh what would I do without this? As a finishing product, this works as a lifeline for my long locks keeping them manageable, frizz-free and tame! This will probably remain a constant in my beauty kit.

Hope you all have enjoyed my round and the review posts so far. 2016 should definitely bring some more goodies as we progress further.

Send me your comments and questions below and I will personally answer them for you ASAP.

Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette Review

Not sure why, but this time I have invested in an eyeshadow palette this expensive. In fact, it took me more than a few months to convince myself to buy it. And now that I think about it, it was foolish not to have bought it sooner – that’s how great I found it to be.

Actually, if you think about it, this seemingly expensive produce offers quite a good bargain. When you divide the total cost by the number of shades, each of the twelve full-sized shades comes out to be under £3.5, which is quite a steal for such a quality product.

Also, the range of shades you get in this palette is decently diverse. There is a generous selection of neutrals including taupe, brown, grey, and variations of ivory. The eyeshadow bars have a very smooth texture whose pigments apply and blend wonderfully.

What I like best is that with this one palette you have plenty of shades with different finishes; there are three neutral matte options (Virgin, Buck and Naked) with the rest having a more shimmery finish. Of course, you have to keep in mind that shimmer-finish shades can accentuate wrinkled eyelids but if used on the taut under-brow area, they all work well. Although nearly every shade has some degree of shine, the good news is that except for the shades having glittery pigments (Half Baked, Toasted), the shine clings to the skin well.

Along with the eyeshadow bars, the palette contains a well-made double-sided eyeshadow brush which is very efficient for application. Tip: You can wet the brush slightly and then apply the eyeshadow to get a more shimmery look from the metallic colours.

In terms of suitability for complexion, The original Naked palette works best with my Asian skin tone. It matches perfectly with all the gold embroidered wedding and party dresses but for an office look I might have to invest in the rose-hued Naked 2 or 3 Eyeshadow palette instead.

So, in conclusion, all I can say is that if you like the shades in the palette and see yourself using most if not all of them, it is certainly worth investing in!

PROS:

Eyeshadows have a smooth texture, blend wonderfully.
Wide selection of neutrals.
Shades in a variety of finishes including matte, satin, and glitter.
Comes with a well-made double-sided eyeshadow brush.

CONS:

Matte options could be more.

Rating: 4.5

Price in UK – £38

Price in India – Rs 2800 approx.

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water Review

Off-late, there has been much buzz in the media regarding Micellar water. I was curious as to how effective this fascinating beauty concoction is and so chose to try out Garnier’s Micellar Cleansing Water.

What is Micellar Water?

For those who don’t know, Micellar water is a one-step skin cleanser, after using which, you do not need to wash your face. Yes, even if you have makeup on, and I mean heavy, eye-makeup and skin products too, micellar water alone will clean the skin adequately with one application.

If you’re sceptical about how this may be possible, I’ll tell you how it works. Micellar technology relies upon uber-efficient cleansing agents which work like a magnet – when they come in contact with dirt and oil on your skin, they attract it all and sweep it away. And don’t worry, these cleansing agents are mild and gentle; they do not affect the skin negatively but simply reduce the amount of time and product(s) you require for cleansing skin of makeup.

How is it Used?

Basically, micellar water is like a replacement for the long makeup-removal routine. You don’t need to first use a remover, then wash your face and then hydrate the skin. Instead, you soak a cotton ball in the solution and swipe it across all facial contours concentrating on eyes and lips. You then follow up with your regular moisturizer/serum, without rinsing the face and voila! You’re done!

Review of Garnier Micellar Water

Now coming to Garnier’s Micellar Water, here’s an account of my experience with it. I have been using it for 2 months now. Though I bought it just out of curiosity since it was trending high in the beauty and blogging world, I’m already down to 50% of the bottle!

I mostly use it to clean heavy makeup off of my face and I have to say, it surely works. I must highlight however, that it is a cleanser and not a skin conditioner. So after application, I do follow up with my regular after-wash nourishment/night-time regime.

There are some drawbacks to Garnier Micellar Water which I can’t help but point out. It is suitable foe eye makeup removal but not enough to completely remove a very heavy one. My mascara and liner looks like they have been removed but sometimes I see blackness under my eye the following day in morning and since then I started to use an eye-makeup remover separately for complete cleansing of my makeup.

Here is an image comparing the eye makeup being removed by Garnier Micellar water and a specific Eye Makeup remover.

As you can see in these two images, Garnier’s Micellar Water has done the job to a great extent. But for the eyes, a specialized eye-makeup remover is clearly more effective.

As to the question of whether I’ll be buying it again, I’m not sure I can. As it’s a great product, especially if one is travelling or outdoors or simply lazy, it has not won me over completely.

Star Rating – 3.8

Prince in UK: £3.33