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Best Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar 2020

Christmas is incomplete without pretty Christmas Beauty Advent calendars. Here are some advent calendars you can buy this year.

Christmas is all about decorating the Christmas tree, lights filled streets and hot chocolate, but another thing that I always look forward to on Christmas are Beauty Advent calendars. The mystery of discovering a new makeup or skincare product each day is something that I am always excited about. You can buy an advent calendar for yourself if you love the element of surprise in your life or you can gift it to a loved one and make their Christmas extra special. I always buy one for myself as I think the deals are pretty amazing and you get so many nice beauty products at lesser prices. Find more festive blogs here.

Here are some of the Christmas advent calendars that I am eyeing this year.

From £50 to £100

1. L’Occitane Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar

24 of L’Occitane’s best-selling luxury skincare, fragrance and body-care treat all put together to make your Christmas countdown special. Unlock new, natural skincare favourites each day to get your festive glow on.
Price – £99.00
Buy here

2. Bare Minerals 24 Days of Clean Beauty Advent Calendar

Make you Christmas countdown an exciting one with this limited-edition skincare and beauty advent calendar. It has 24 mini makeup or skincare surprises to make your Christmas even more special.
Price – £89.00
Buy here

3. NYX Professional Makeup Diamonds and Ice Please 24 Day Advent Calendar

Kick-start the holiday season with this limited edition advent calendar featuring 24 of NYX Professional Makeup’s iconic best-sellers in mini and full sizes. From mascara to gloss this one has everything, you need to get your glam on.
Price – £50
Buy here

4. Clarins 12 Days of Christmas Calendar

Start a perfect countdown to Christmas with 12 beauty surprises, two full-size and ten travel-sized. All Clarin’s iconic products stacked up in one box to make you feel the festive cheer.
Price – £60.00
Buy here

5. Benefit Cosmetics Shake Your Beauty Advent Calendar

benefut cosmetics christmas advent calendar

This 12 products calendar is packed with cute minis of Benefit Cosmetics best-selling products. With products like Hoola bronzer, the POREfessional face primer, this one is a dreamy treat for beauty lovers.
Price – £58.50
Buy here

6. Kiehl’s Advent Calendar

With a collection of Kiehl’s most-loved skin care products, this advent calendar is perfect to get you in the holiday spirit. This calendar has everything from face cleansers to moisturisers and is worth every penny spent.
Price – £89
Buy here

7. Lush Advent Calendar

No better way to do Christmas countdown than discovering vegan scented shower and bath products for 12 days. This pack filled with bath bombs, body scrubs, bubble bars, shower gels, will help you relax and rejuvenate before the festivities begin.
Price – £75
Buy here

From £100 to £200

8. M.A.C 2020 Advent Calendar

A pink shiny beauty box filled with 24 pieces of your favourite M.A.C beauty items to make your countdown to Christmas an exciting one. With minis and full size of M.A.C classics be ready to unlock a new surprise every day.
Price – £125.00
Buy here

9. John Lewis & Partners Beauty Advent Calendar

With a collection of 25 full and travel size products from some famous luxury brands around the globe, this calendar has been designed to ensure that you’re perfectly prepped and pampered for the festive season.
Price – £150.00
Buy here

10. LANCOME Beauty Advent Calendar

Each house in this LANCOME Advent calendar is filled with a mini or full-size luxurious beauty treat. With some of their best-selling products, this advent calendar is something you must add to your Christmas shopping list.
Price – £105.00
Buy here

11. Elemis 25 Days of Spectacular Skin Advent Calendar

Another advent calendar that you can go for this Christmas is the Elemis Skin Advent Calendar that has 25 of their finest products. It is an amazing pick for the festive season as you get products worth £559 in just £250.
Price – £175.00
Buy here

12. The Body Shop Make It Real Together Ultimate Advent Calendar

Awaken your senses and celebrate the countdown to Christmas with 25 products that will uplift, pamper and rejuvenate and set you nicely for the holiday season. From skin care to makeup, you get it all in this one.
Price – £130.00
Buy here

13. Charlotte Tilbury Bejewelled Chest of Beauty Treasures Advent Calendar

Charlotte Tilbury christmas advent calender

12 full size and travel size magic makeup put together to bring your beauty dreams come true this Christmas. With gorgeous golden packaging, this beauty box of joy will get you in the celebration mood right away.
Price – £150.00
Buy here

14. NARS Advent Calendar

This advent calendar is what lipstick dreams are made of. With 12 full size NARS lipsticks in a variety of finishes, I bet this one will be loved by all the lipstick lovers.
Price – £175.00
Buy here

15. L’Occitane Hand Illustrated Reusable Advent Calendar

Loccitane reusable christmas advent calendar

Apart from the amazing products that this calendar has, another great thing about it is that it is hand illustrated and is made of recycled cotton, so it can be reused for years to come. Each pocket of this beautiful calendar has a luxury size product.
Price – £160.00
Buy here

So, these are my advent calendars suggestions for the upcoming holiday season, get one for yourself and give your vanity the much-needed upgrade.

In conversation with Make-up Artist Ambreen

A summary of my conversation with UK’s Celebrity Make-up artist, Ambreen. We talked about all things makeup and some amazing beauty tips & tricks.

When it comes to bridal makeup or makeup in general, we all have various questions. We are always looking for some tips from the experts of the beauty industry, especially during this time when the world is going through so much. With this thought in mind, I recently did an Insta live chat with Make-up artist Ambreen, where she shared her insights on all things makeup. Ambreen is a celebrity make-up artist based in the UK, she has worked with various top celebrities and brands like M.A.C, OK magazine, etc. So, here are the things that she shared with me on the live chat. You can checkout more such blogs here.

I started the conversation by asking her how the lockdown has been and how it has impacted the beauty industry, and she gave a very positive answer. According to her, it has been a tough time, but social media has played a very important role during this time and has helped people connect more. It has allowed people to know and get in touch with people we don’t usually have a chance to speak to. She thinks now people are doing more things online. Everyone is doing lives, online tutorials, sharing their daily routines, their favorite products. It has given a lot of make-up artists a great platform and a chance to connect with their audience.

She also thinks that the way we look at weddings will change after this. According to her weddings will be lavish and beautiful but, they’ll become more intimate. People will focus more on who they want at their wedding, rather than inviting 400-500 people you don’t even know. She believes that the lockdown has given us all a new perspective on a lot of things, and we have started to look at life differently.

The work of a make-up artist has always fascinated me, so I asked her about the best thing about her job, and she says, “The job of a make-up artist is a very feel-good job. When you get someone ready, be it for their wedding, shoot, or an event you make them look a certain way that they want, and when they look at themselves, they feel more confident, and it gives great job satisfaction. Especially for weddings, as it is the most important day of a woman’s life and it feels amazing to be a part of it.”

She also gave some great advice for all the aspiring makeup artists out there. She asks them to always be prepared for early and long hours. She advises them to remember that things take a while to build up, to get to a certain stage where you are comfortable with the work you are getting, but you must not give up. It can take weeks, months, years, but you will get there if you are determined. She asks them to focus on what you have as an artist and to always stay on trend as people are drawn to what’s trending.

I was very curious to know one make-up tip that she would like to give to people and she emphasized that one should always prep the skin before doing makeup, as it gives the makeup a good base and helps it last much longer. Her suggestion was to use a moisturizer, primer, eye cream, and something to condition your lips. And when asked about the 5 must-have product in a woman’s vanity, these are the products she recommended, “For me its concealer, mascara, lip liner, blush and something for your brows. With these 5 products, you have got the whole face covered.”

On being asked about the one product she can’t work without she said, “I will have to say my brushes. If I didn’t have my brushes, I wouldn’t be able to apply any product on my brides and I can’t apply it with my fingers.”

Looking at Ambreen’s amazing skin, I couldn’t resist myself from asking her for some skincare tips and she advices to read about your skin type, try a few products and brands to see what works best for you. She recommends following a skincare routine, using a good face wash, eye cream, moisturizer, toner, and exfoliating followed by a mask once a week.

I really love all the bridal makeup looks she creates, so I wanted to get her insights on the key bridal make-up trends of the year to which she says, “I think less is going to be more.” According to her brides nowadays are already stepping away from the flamboyant makeup that we had years ago, they want to look more natural. And with weddings getting more intimate brides are going to opt for less makeup than they normally would.

My chat with Ambreen really helped me gain an in-depth knowledge of the beauty industry and I would like to thank her for that. I hope it is helpful for you too.

Five Tips for Keeping Your Cosmetics Kit Tidy

Keeping your cosmetics kit tidy not only helps you get through your beauty routine more easily, but it also looks much nicer and has many other benefits too. Keeping makeup past its sell-by date could cause spots on the face and also makeup begins to not look it’s best when it has been open for too long. If you are awful at keeping your cosmetics de-cluttered and all in one place, then look no further. Here are five simple tips to help you sort out your morning routine.

Check the Expiry Date

One of the most important things we need to check when looking at our cosmetics kit is the expiry date of the product. Almost all makeup has some sort of expiry date or use by date on it, usually telling you to throw it away after 3, 6 or 12 months, as a rule. This helps to keep your kit de-cluttered and if you see you’re throwing away basically a full tube of something then this is also a great way to check what makeup habits are setting you back dollars for no reason.

Buy a Cosmetic Kit Holder

A cosmetic kit holder is a godsend for someone who is constantly routing through their drawers for their makeup or moisturizers in the morning. The beauty of cosmetic kit holders is there are so many to choose from and so many ways to organize your cosmetics that you can find a way that works for you and the space you have.

This makes the space look much better too, meaning you can have more fun doing your makeup. If you’re into DIY, then why not check out these DIY tips for storing makeup and cosmetics.

Clean Your Brushes Regularly

To keep your cosmetics tidy, you need to keep them clean. Failing to clean brushes can lead to all kinds of bacteria and dirt building up on the bristles. This leads to patchy makeup and can cause all kinds of skin problems. You clean your face daily, so why then put dirty brushes all over your face? Cleaning your brushes can be a pain but you can purchase brush cleaner to ensure your bristles stay intact and healthy between washes. Dedicate some time each week to do this and you will soon see the benefits.

Throw it Away!

We are all guilty of having cosmetics in our storage kits that we don’t use anymore. If this is the case it is time to let go. Whilst it can be difficult throwing away things that we have bought, sometimes cosmetics don’t suit us or aren’t right for our skin, but this is how we learn what is right for us. If you can and it’s hygienic, see if you can pass on the cosmetics to someone or sell it if the makeup is still sealed. If you want to save some money after throwing away your old cosmetics then check out these free offers for beauty supplies.

Organize by Category

An easy way to keep your kit tidy is to organize it by category. This means having different pots for different parts of your face or storing it in order of how you apply it. This makes your cosmetic routine so much easier and quicker and saves a lot of hassle. For those who like to keep things organized, this is the best way to do so. Many of the famous beauty Youtubers swear by this method as a great way to keep their cosmetics kit tidy.

Keeping your cosmetic kit tidy will save time in your beauty routine and ensure that everything stays clean. As you are constantly putting these products on your face, it’s important to keep your kit clean and tidy to ensure your face stays free from spots.

Cover FX Beauty Haul and Review

Amongst hundred beauty brands that surface every few months, there has emerged a victor with a focus on customized beauty over a large range of foundation shades, promising a fit for everyone. Cover FX is a vegan brand that lets users be stress free about the repercussions of parabens, gluten, talc and other nasties of the like, and is born from careful formulations for every skin type. It’s focus on creating a family of multiple foundation textures, and colour and radiance enhancing products are what make this brand unique. Here is my review on some of the wonderful products I have laid my hands on.

1. Blurring Primer

This is pre-base product with balm-like consistency. I dabbed and blended it onto targeted areas which blurred and minimized the appearance of enlarged pores on my cheeks and soft focused fine lines to reveal seamless and smooth skin. I did use a large dollop, at first, and found that my foundation did not sit well on it. However, when I used a lesser amount the next times I realised a little goes a long way with this product and a pea-size squirt was just right.

Blurring Primer
Price: £30
Click here to buy

2. Cream Concealer

This water based, highly elastic and blendable concealer is an all-rounder covering my under-eye circles, spots and redness. Again, a little goes a really long way, so my only worry is squeezing too much out of the tube. While the formula added a little glisten to the targeted areas, I was easily able to remedy and mattify that with a light dusting of powder.

Cream Concealer
Price: £24
Click here to buy

3. Power Play Concealer

This product is the light weight yet long-wearing relative of the cream concealer. And it is this consistency that also makes it fabulous for multi-use as a concealer, contour and highlighter. The range offers 30 diverse shades to choose from. My perfect match was shade N50. The doe-foot wand made for precise application on targeted areas and is simple and effective. With a promise of crease-proof, transfer-proof and pollution-defence coverage for all skin types, this is my preferred product between the two high-performance concealers.

Power Play Concealer
Price: £24
Click here to buy

4. Contour Kit

This clever quad contains four cream products for contouring, highlighting and strobing but I have also used one of the shades closest to my skin colour as a full-coverage foundation or spot concealer. Because of its heavy formula, I build it up with light and sheer layers using the brush that comes with the kit, till I get the desired result. It is also important to set this product well with powder because of the heavy cream texture.

Contour Kit
Price: £18
Click here to buy

5. Shimmer Veil

A sheer liquid with specks of luminescent glitter particles evenly distributed. While these multi-purpose products can be used anywhere on the skin, my favourite use of them is as eye shadow.

It comes with an easy brush applicator without the fuss or worry of any fall-out. The luminosity gives a very angelic halo effect on the lids. It is definitely the stand-out product for me.

Shimmer Veil
Price: £22
Click here to buy

6. Matte-Finish Bronzer

I used the shade “Suntan” for a bronzed look. The colour is neither too orange nor too grey, making every swipe perfect for a sun-kissed effect and the talc free formula guarantees that my skin will not look dry or cakey. While this is a great buy for those with a more oily skin, this may not be the most ideal product for those who prefer a bit of sheen with their bronzer.

Matte-Finish Bronzer
Price: £25
Click here to buy

7. Illuminating Setting Powder (Travel-size)

This loose setting powder in shade Medium set the cream products, giving longevity to my makeup without adding any extra coverage or colour. The mica in the powder gives a boost of radiance and a soft luminosity. What sets this powder apart from others on the market is the talc-free property which prevents skin and makeup from looking dry or cakey.

Illuminating Setting Powder (Travel-size)
Price: Approximately £10
Click here to buy

8. Mini Perfect Light Highlighting Powder

Available in a mini size, this pressed powder highlighter has an almost creamy texture making it a dream to apply and blend. The finely milled silver pearls ensure a subtle radiance instead of a chunky sparkle and look beautiful even on my shoulders and decolléte.

Mini Perfect Light Highlighting Powder
Price: Approximately £10
Click here to buy

9. Correct Click – Redness

This is a great layering product beneath foundation or concealer, to correct any redness caused from skin irritation or bad weather. The shade yellow, is perfect for my wheatish complexion with olive undertones to correct mild redness. I swipe a light layer on my problem areas, namely around my nose, on my forehead and on my chin where I have some irritated skin.

Correct Click
Price: £15
Click here to buy

10. Correct Click – Undereye Circles

My biggest area of concern, when it comes to discolouration, is under my eyes. The blue and purple peek very easily through my skin and this corrector in the shade Peach has really helped to even the tone under my eyes. After adding a bit of concealer on top, my under eyes look much brighter and awake. Packaged in a stick form, this is an easy and portable product.

Correct Click
Price: £15
Click here to buy

11. Cover Click

The Cover Click Stick is a high performance and high coverage, long-wearing base product. It’s dual performance as a foundation and concealer make it the ideal companion for those on the go. It is also extremely versatile and an arsenal of a few shades make for a sculpted and strobed face. I use shades N35 as my base and N40 to sculpt.

Cover Click
Price: Approximately £9 – £10
Click here to buy

12. Enhance Click

This has been my solo power product for a lit-from-within glow. This cream highlighter glides on like butter on the skin and a swipe on the eyelids also gives a luminous monochromatic look. While I use the shade Gold Dust on an everyday basis, because of my cooler undertones, the peachy pink iridescence of the shade Golden Peach has worked well for my skin tone during those vacations by the sea. These two shades are now a hand bag staple for me.

Enhance Click
Price: £15
Click here to buy

13. Custom Cover Drops

This product is not your average foundation, but actually is what the name suggests – a way for you to custom match your favourite foundation to best match your skin tone. I have enjoyed mixing shades G40 and N50 for a perfect match with my moisturiser for a light weight tinted moisturiser coverage. These products blend in seamlessly for buttery smooth skin.

Custom Cover Drops
Price: £36
Click here to buy

14. High Performance Setting Spray

A few sprits of this after makeup application promises increased longevity for up to 24 hours while also protecting your skin from pollution, without feeling dry or dehydrating.

It left a natural finish without looking too matte or too dewy and was sweat-proof even in humid environments.

High Performance Setting Spray
Price: £23
Click here to buy

15. Mattifying Setting Spray

As the name suggests, this is the mattifying counterpart of the Cover FX setting spray family, specially created for normal to oily skin types. While I prefer the High Performance Setting Spray myself, I can tell that this mattifier will deliver the same results for those whose skin is more suitable to this formulation.

Mattifying Setting Spray
Price: £23
Click here to buy

16. Custom Enhancer Drops

This award-winning product comes in my top 3 products from Cover FX. These concentrated metallic liquid drops are a great way to add the exact amount of glow that you want to add to your complexion.

While you can use them on their own as a liquid highlighter, I have enjoyed layering peachy blushes over the shade Blossom for a lit-from-within flush.

Custom Enhancer Drops
Price: £34
Click here to buy

So this has been my experience with Cover FX thus far, and I can safely say I am more than satisfied with the products. Are you going to equip your makeup kit with any of them?

Christmas Gift Guide : The Ultimate Guide on What to Buy

As said, Christmas is a season not only for rejoicing but of reflection. Finding a perfect gift for Christmas is not an easy task. However, the best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family, all sitting together and ejoying the holidays. Happiness is certainly the best gift you can give to someone. And, here we enlist a few ideas for Christmas gifts, which can definitely bring happiness to your friends and families.

MAKEUP & SKINCARE & MAKEUP TOOLS

Makeup Gift Sets: Makeup is just like a best friend for her. For the occasion of Christmas, the list is endless. However, we suggest you give a Spa Find and Dead Sea Spa Magik. This year they have launched 6 gift sets which allows you to take the benefits of each product from the comfort of your home. Out of 6. Pamper and Sparkle set are a special range for incredible skin care. (Link)

Lipstick is a pretty start. Then, why not Stila Stay All Day Lipstick Set that gives a matte finish. It comes in three beautiful pink colours and berry toned lip colours. (Link)
Price: £20

Candles & Skincare: Your beautiful skin requires commitment and one candle can light thousands of candles. Crabtree & Evelyn giving you the opportunity to buy both from one place ranging from affordable to luxurious products, they have endless options. Select the best one for yourself. (link)

Eyeshadow Palletes: And again eyeshadows are perfect for this Christmas occasion. Such a colourful gift that adds youth and allures the beauty of a woman. We suggest you gift MakeUp Revolution- My Sign Eye Palette. They have 15 shades that add shimmer and gives you perfect eye look. (link)
Price: £6

Do you also love those neutral matte shades? Urban Decay’s Naked Palette is a generously perfect choice which gives glittery pigments and also adds shine to your skin. (link)

Anti- Ageing Cleansing Brush: Ageing is a fact of life. But, Looking your age is not. Sensee have the perfect range of anti-ageing cleansing brush that can be used on a regular basis. It can help in reducing wrinkles and thereby giving you perfect smooth skin. (link)
Price: £39.00

Affirm your style statement with Essentialle
REMEDY MULTI-ACTIVE RE-BALANCING FACE OIL: This can be used in daily use to fight with oily skin and problematic skin. This one can be perfect and a very beneficial gift. (link)
Price: £62.00
REVIVAL NECTAR NOURISHING FACE OIL: Gift them this wonderful oil that can help them in restoring their skin’s hydration and in getting that nourished glow back. (link)
Price:£70.00

Hair Curler Curls run the world. We all want easier curling with lesser strain and HOT TOOLS® PROFESSIONAL launches first of its kind 24k gold angled CurlBar is the perfect solution in this case. (link)
Price: £100.00

Spa Day Voucher: Relax, indulge and love yourself or give this voucher to your loved ones. Spoil yourself with Spa.

Makeup Brushes: There’s no such thing as having too much of makeup brushes. SoEco Brush would be a great idea as it is not just facing friendly but eco-friendly too. You must get this. At a very minimum price, you get branded brush sets. (link)
Price: £18.00

Perfume: Perfume is the key to our memory. Though invisible, yet an unforgettable accessory that she will never forget. Add glamour with this amazing Jimmy Choo rose Gold edition perfumes. (link)
Price: £54.00

Urban Veda Gift Sets: Nature is the perfect way to help your skin. Gift your loved ones this amazing set of Natural Skincare by Urban Veda. Give them a reason to remember you. (link)

CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES

Jewellery: This one is a sure shot winner when it comes to gifts, once can never have too much of jewellery be it necklaces, pendant, rings or bracelet. Featured here is Under the Rose Jewellery Rose Gold Thread Wrap Bracelet, a sure shot winner. (link)

Pj Sets: At the end of the day, Pajamas are a good option and are good for the soul. As everything is better in pyjamas. Then, why not gift them a beautiful pair of pyjamas. make them feel a little more comfortable and better. (link)

Winter Cute Slippers: Good Footwear leads you to good ways. Winters are the time when you can gift your loved ones an amazing pair of footwear or a cute slipper. Check out Fatface and select from an amazing range of footwears from there. (link)

Socks: Who doesn’t want a new pair of socks for the Christmas? Henry J Socks would be our suggestion. “The gift that keeps on giving.” What could be better than that? (link)

Watches: Time is the most precious thing you can ever gift to someone. If you are unable to give them time, try gifting them a watch as a symbol of your time. Accurist have a special range of watches for both him and her. They are great as they add a touch of understated glamour to anyone’s Winter Wardrobe. (link)

HOMEWARE:
Phillo Flowers Wreath and Candle: Phillo Flowers specialize in beautiful flowers and also design customized wreath for special occasions like Christmas. They also provide a free consultation. Give them this wonderful piece of decoration and make them feel your presence in their homes. (link)

T2 Tea: Festive Time is the perfect time to connect with your friends and nature. Celebrate the hidden flavours and patterns in the outside world. Wild about Green Rose Gift Pack from T2 Tea is a glory in itself with pretty floral flavours. (link)
Price: £30

Aequill Candles: A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. And gifting Aequill candle is such a pretty idea. They make such handcrafted candles and for the candle making is much more than a art. Light a candle for someone and give them this amazing candle. (Link)

These are the few things I’d suggest to you all. You may select either of them or even think more. So, what will you gift to your near and dear ones? Let me know in the comments section below.

Top 10 Tips – For Your Makeup

Love looking your best, but have no time to keep up with new, fab beauty & fashion mantras? Here’s the Top 10 tips that’ll help you look your best and take care of your makeup!

To ensure that your makeup stays on for long without getting patchy, always start with a good-quality primer suited to your skin quality and complexion.
Never step out without lip colour, it is your biggest weapon. If nothing else, at least have a tinted lip balm on at all times.
Always use the appropriate makeup brushes when doing your makeup – it makes a huge difference to the final look.
Balance your makeup; if your eyes are bold, let the lips be soft and muted and vice versa; if your cheeks are highlighted, make sure to contour accordingly.
Use mascara on both lash-lines. It opens up the eyes, giving the impression of big, beautiful eyes.
Turn any lipstick into a matte-finish pigment by applying translucent powder on it through an issue.
It is not just how the face is made-up that matters – your hairdo also determines how good the finished look it. Thus, put some extra effort into styling those tresses.
Always check for some typical makeup flaws before leaving the house – smudged kohl/liner, lipstick on the teeth, unblended foundation on the face and neck, and makeup stains on your hands/clothes.
Whenever buying new makeup products, in particular, for the skin, try it out on your skin at the sales counter. Makeup looks different on everyone and distinct from its appearance in the container, so it is always better to test it first.
When putting on makeup, keep a bunch of q-tips and makeup remover handy. This is an easy way to get rid of smudges and tiny flaws.

My Make-up Bag This Month – April 2016

April is a bag of mixed weathers this year in UK with warm in the first half and the cold again, and the stuff in all our makeup bags naturally undergoes a change. And that’s exactly how it should be. The products you use should be suited to the weather outside and the changes are particularly demanding on our skin. So here’s a peek into my makeup bag and all the goodies I’ve been enjoying this month.

MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation – This powder foundation is ideal for summer season. It has a mattifying effect, prevents oiliness and shine, and does not give a cakey appearance. I use it over my sunscreen on days when I don’t need too much coverage or otherwise team it with an SPF-rich liquid foundation.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara – What is life without a little bit of drama? And off late, I’ve enjoyed sporting dramatic eye makeup by using this “oversized volume mascara”. What I love about it is that all you need is one swipe and your lashes become thick and voluptuous, without becoming stiff or brittle.

Clarins 50+ SPF Sunscreen For Face Wrinkle Control Cream – This is a wonderful product that offers a combo of sun protection and anti-ageing benefits. It has a high SPF rating yet doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on my skin. I’m very particular about keeping my skin sun-safe and this happens to be one of the best sunscreens I’ve used.

L’Occitane “Lavande de Haute-Provence” Hand Cream – This is a lightly moisturising hand cream with a heavenly smell that is so soothing to the senses. I use it in the summer season for it is light on the skin, absorbs quickly and does not have a thick or buttery consistency which is best suited for winter-care.

Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer (Garnet) – This is a recent purchase and has been working quite well for me. This lip lacquer is marketed as a gloss, but trust me, it can be easily substituted for lipstick too. It is highly pigmented, stays on for a 2 – 3 hours without touch-ups and has a hydrating, creamy formula. And this Garnet shade is beautiful – works for both day and night looks!

Simple Kind To Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes – Keeping wet wipes handy is a good idea during summer season. I use these ones by Simple for they are suitable for sensitive skin, thus having no harsh chemicals, strong perfume or alcohol base. On usage, these wipes do not dry out the skin, nor do they make it oily. A must-have for those sweaty mornings and sultry nights.

A folding compact comb to keep hairs in check all day 🙂

So this is what I’ve been lugging around my makeup bag these days. What about you? Do share

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.

Top 5 Must Have Items for Your Festive Makeup Kit

In the time leading up to the festive season this year, we must all prepare to look our best – that’s the most exciting bit of the whole festive frenzy, isn’t it?! To have you all looking your best, I have collated some of the makeup & beauty products that should be staples in your cupboard or vanity during this time of the year. Here’s my take on the best products that will help you get all dolled-up in no time!

Also, here is a snippet of the items I have in my festive makeup kit

Natural Looking Foundation – I personally like to wear less makeup on the skin. I fell it is better to look natural rather than heavily covered in potions and lotions. Foundation should be used to enhance some features and hide imperfections, and not layer the face thickly, giving you the “pancaked look”. Go for a foundation which gives light to medium coverage and doesn’t hide your skin completely. My own favourite is Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation.
Bright Lip Colours – The trend this year is bright lip colours, and I love the pop it adds to one’s appearance. Try and wear colours which match or complement your attire. My personal favourite lip colours these days include fiery reds and tangy oranges. I would recommend pink shades for day time functions, though.

Highlighter – A good quality highlighter should be your go-to product for getting that dewy finish that most celebrities are sporting these days. Use the highlighter on the high planes of the face and if you don’t want to spend oodles of money on one, you could even use a light eye shadow for the same effect.
Eyeliner – Eyeliner is the one single product in eye makeup that I wouldn’t recommend forgoing at any cost. This festive season, rock your outfit by complementing it with properly lined eyes; that is sure to make a huge difference to how you look. You could use a fine black liner or experiment with navy blue or metallic colours. You could also use bold, deep shades to create a sultry, smokey-eyed look.
Primer – Most of the times at festive events, we end up staying out late which obviously takes a toll on our makeup-laden skin. But no one wants to look run down by the end of the night and the best way to prevent that is by using a primer underneath your makeup to make it last longer. Primer acts like a base and moisturises the skin, minimising the pores so as to prep it for makeup application. Think of primer as similar to that used by artists on their canvas before starting their masterpieces’ – you will then never forget to start with it!

If you have any questions or comments regarding what’s been mentioned above, feel free to send me a note or drop a line below. I’ll be glad to know how you are going to be doing your makeup this festive season.

How To Sweat Proof Your Makeup

When the heat is beating down outside, maintaining a perfectly made up face can be really hard. Runny mascara and a patchy face is simply not a good look for anyone. Lucky for you, I have picked up many tips and tricks in the time that I have spent in India, many of which I regularly use to help me overcome the Mumbai heat. The next time it is scorching hot outside, try out one of these handy tips to save your makeup!

01. Always opt for long-lasting formulas that will not budge from your face. Because these products tend to be thicker than your average, mix them with a dollop of your facial moisturizer for easy application.

02. To prevent your eye shadow from creasing and looking tacky, make sure that you apply primer to your lids. It makes a world of difference!

03. Never leave the house without blotting papers to prevent that nasty shine that tends to develop in our oily spots after a couple of hours. Either that, or keep a nifty blotting powder on standby!

04. If you are going to wear mascara, it should not be anything by waterproof! It might be harder to remove than a normal formulation, but it is definitely worth the effort.

05. Take a chance and skip lipstick altogether. Instead, enhance your pout by treating it to some lip balm and a brush of highlighter in the center of your top lip.

06. Choose a cream blush over a powder blush for easy blending and a more natural look.

07. I would recommend using a tinted moisturizer instead of your regular foundation. If you simply cannot live without the latter, ensure that it is an oil-free one so that it does not clog your pores.

08. I am one of those girls who cannot live without a good eyeliner but when the temperature shoots up, you will not find me using anything but a reliable, long-lasting gel product. Do not even try to experiment with anything else.

09. When it comes to lipstick, matte ones are the way to go because they have an immense staying power and will definitely not melt off your face.

10. Before you start applying your makeup, set it in place with a makeup spray. You will instantly see the difference.