Wednesday 31 July 2013

July Favorites '13

And before you can think, it's already August. 
Whats with the fast forward 2013? 

I know the picture is a bit odd, but I loved the way the light was hitting things and the shadow falling everywhere, I think it looks very artsy. Sorry, I'm not sorry. :P


Skincare
Four years of constant stress coupled with lack of sleep and meals at regular intervals have left me in a bit of a mess, really. Worst of being my skin. For someone who never suffered from acne throughout my teens, I was a bit alarmed when I started sprouting pimples at 20. It hasn't been fun, let me tell you, but the last two months of intensive skincare has helped a fair bit. 

Bioderma
EVERYone has heard about it, and most people LOVE it. I got this around the first week of July, and it has made its way into my daily skincare routine. I use it mainly in the evening, as the second part of a double cleanse, after using my make up wipes. It doesn't sting my eyes, and makes me feel like I just threw cold water onto my face- in a nice way. 

La Roche -Posay Effaclar
What is it? Its a paraben free "targeted breakout corrector". I just apply it exactly where I have a blemish or a pimple, and let it dry. The next morning, its on its way out. IT WORKS. So if you have skin that explodes every time you look at a mango or worry, this if for you. 

I got both here, when they were having a discount on french skincare. 

Makeup
Collections Lasting Perfection Concealer in Deep(4)
This is unfortunately the darkest shade they had, and its still too light for me, however, its great for the under eye area, as well as spots caused by blemishes. It does NOT budge, but dries even my oily skin out a little. But for the price, WIN. 

MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation in 43.5
Holyy..grail? Not sure about that yet. I have oily skin, so as you can imagine, I love me some powder. When I first got this though, I felt it melted away into my skin, so I was a bit aghast. Enter, Real Techniques Buffing Brush. With this brush, this powder goes on great. I've just been using my concealer and this powder all month, and I feel I need nothing else. 

MAC Blush in Frankly Scarlet
I am a bronzer gal through and through, and despite my Chanel Bronzer being in my previous favorites post, we just didn't get along, so she went to my mother. And I have turned to blush for a little definition in the cheek region of the face. Frankly scarlet, is a BRIGHT beautiful blush, if you use a light hand, it gives you the most natural looking cheeks people like me who don't blush naturally crave for!

MAC Paintpot in Groundwork
Oily lids + Paint pot = happy shadows. 'nuf said. 
Its a slightly taupey version of my skintone, and I usually use a sigma large shader brush or my fingers to apply this from lid to brow. 

NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow
I've basically been talking about this in every. single. post this month, well, almost. Its a gorgeous matte darkest brown shade, with no hint of black. Eyebrows? Yes. Eyeliner? Yes. Crease? Yes.

Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial
This is a dusty rose colour, or so everyone claims, on me it looks more like a plumy rose, its neutral, its beautiful, I love it. 

PHEWWWW. That was one long post. And my fingers hurt.
So tell me, what are your favorites this month? 

Sunday 28 July 2013

EOTD #3 - A discovery.

In an attempt to start using my eyeshadows that I often neglect, I found Inglot 421 Pearl, which is supposed to be a dupe for MAC's Antiqued. I don't own Antiqued, so I can't confirm, but after using it, I wonder why I neglected it in the first place!


Products Used:

  • Urban Decay Primer Potion
  • Inglot 421 Pearl Eyeshadow
  • NARS Coconut Grove
  • Urban Decay Buck Eyeshadow
  • MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
  • MAC Naked Lunch Eyeshadow
  • Rimmel Scandaleyes Show off Mascara
I love how this colour compliments my skintone. And ofcourse, I HAD to use Coconut Grove by Nars because a day without it seems impossible.

What do you think? :)

Friday 26 July 2013

The 5 Product Face

The idea of a five product face is daunting to say the least. Keep in mind, I meant this to be "going out" make up, not just sitting at home.. for that I need, well, no products.
When I first heard of this, I thought, HAH, that would be easy, but when I took inventory of what I actually use on a day to day basis, I was a tad stunned.

Somehow though, I managed it, and if I do say so myself, I don't look half bad. 



Products Used
  • MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NC44
  • MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation in NC43.5
  • NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow for eyebrows, and eyeliner, smudged out till the crease. 
  • Rimmel ScandalEyes Show Off Mascara
  • Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush, mostly blotted out. 
5 Products, simple, easy and still not all that bad.
Would you like to try this?


Thursday 25 July 2013

FOTD #3 - On most days.

You know when you discover something you like, you tend to gravitate towards it again and again? Be it that slice of cheesecake that basically begs you to consume it, or that dress thats waaay to fancy for the day, but you still insist on wearing it? Yeah, well, thats whats been happening with me and the SAME kind of neutral eye/face make up that I've been sticking too. I do switch it up time and again, use maybe a bright colour under the eye, or a bold lip, but essentially, its still the same.
Its really a habit I need to shake off.. to the point where I've managed to out away all my "daily" items in turn for more bright and adventurous colours which I've been ignoring.
However, I still like this look.


Excuse my weirdass expression in the first picture, but it showed off the eye make up better than the others, so i decided to role with it.

Face
Collections 2000 lasting perfection concealer in Deep (4)
MAC Studio Finish Powder + Foundation in NC43.5
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep (Cheek)

Eyes 
MAC Paintpot in Groundwork
"Naked" from the UD Naked Palette on the lid
NARS Coconut Grove in the crease as well as eyebrows.
MAC Fluideline in Blacktrack
Rimmel ScandalEyes Show Off Mascara

Lips
Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial blotted out.

I might be switching things up, but my NARS Coconut Grove shall remain a constant in my life, it has reminded my of my love affair with NARS, one I had forgotten. Now, I have a list of products I need SO MUCH. But yeah, soon!

Anyway, what do you think?

Monday 22 July 2013

EOTD #2 - Au naturale?

In the last 3 odd years, I don't think there has been more than a few days where I haven't worn my usual winged liner.
Thick winged liner is an essential part of who I am, without it, I feel a little bit off.
However, since I've been getting into the more "natural" make up lately, which means I switched up my usual satiney shimmery eye shadows for more matte ones. Around this time, I discovered NARS Coconut Grove. Its the most perfect colour to fill in my eyebrows with, it also makes for very subtle natural looking liner.

Products used:
Urban decay Primer Potion
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Deep (all over the lid)
Nars Coconut grove eyeshadow (Eyebrow, as eyeliner on upper and lower lashline, as well as crease, all smudged out)
Rimmel Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara (Upper and lower lashes)

And thats about it, its easy, really simple but still really pretty. Hope you enjoyed this :)

Friday 19 July 2013

The Ombre

I love ombre. I've loved Ombre ever since I first laid eyes on gorgeously ombre'd silk fabric three years ago. Since then, ombre has gone viral. Ombre fabrics, prints, hair, nails, shoes, even sequins.

When I saw the ombre lips on a picture on tumble, I realized it was something I could recreate, easily, as well as wear, happily.


Products used
MAC Ruby Woo - outer third
Mac Mineralize Lipstick in Lady at Play - middle
Rimmel Apocalips in Luna - right at the centre

I lovvee this, do you?

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Rimmel Apocalips - FINALLY.

I stalk beauty blogs. And I saw Fluer's review waaaay back in January, and when I laid eyes on them, it was love. I couldn't get them out of my head.
I went on ebay, on amazon, but they were ridiculously priced! Which was madness! I wanted them, but wasn't ready to pay a small fortune for them.
SO I waited, not patiently though, let me be clear.
About two weeks ago, when I was going through ASOS like I did almost everyday, I chanced upon the Rimmel Section, and lo and behold! The Rimmel Apocalips! On ASOS! Which meant, decent price + Free shipping! Also, There were and still are on discount. ( 4 GBP - INR 360 = STEAL. Go. NOW)

I got three shades, Celestial, Galaxy and Luna.

Celestial is a dusty rose with a hint of mauve in it.
Galaxy is a purplish plum shade with micro glitter.
Luna is a peachy coral shade.

What are they? Liquid Lipsticks. Non sticky, not heavy in the least, fully opaque, liquid lipstick. Its glossy at first, but dries down to a sort of matte finish. - I love.
These last about 4 - 6 hours on my lips, typically. However, they do not claim to be transfer resistant, so yes, they transfer.
They also have a very obvious scent to them.. fruity, but not really. But the scent dies down the a minute after its applied, so that should not be a problem.

I love these, they have been in my bag everytime I leave the house, because they're that awesome. Yes. Awesome.

Try them, you will not regret it. 

Friday 12 July 2013

Little Details


The little details make the outfit in my opinion.

Small Bee Necklace - Accessorize
Longer Necklace - Accessorize (birthday gift :)
Watch - Michael Kors
Spiked Bracelet - Ebay.

Hope you enjoyed this post! 

Thursday 11 July 2013

TBT - Green Hair

As far as I'm aware, the "ThrowBackThursday" is purely an instagram thing, incase I'm wrong, please let me know.
I always enjoy looking at TBT posts, but somehow I never seem to remember "AH, its Thursday let me post an old picture", heck, off late I can't differentiate between Tuesday and Sunday.

But oddly enough, I remembered today. So hey! TBT coming your way!


When I used to have green hair. I bleached parts of my hair in August last year, and after a couple of months, I got bored, so I decided to throw some colour into it.
Purple seemed everywhere, so was red and dark blue, and ofcourse pink.
I was contemplating getting turquoise or green, and in the end went with green.
My friend got me the dye as a gift from Singapore. Its the La Riche Directions Hair Colour in Apple Green. 

I parted the bleached areas separately, shoved a whole bunch of colour on it, wrapped it up in foil, put my hair in a shower cap and slept through the night - the colour was on for about 14 hours. And Voila!  Gorgeous almost emerald green looking hair which beautifully faded out into a leafy light green. I did this twice, so I had these random strands of green for about 3 months. It fades pretty quickly, but I loved the colors it went through before I dyed it for the second time.
I know I know, the damage this does to your hair, blah blah blah, but on the bright side, my hair has grown so much that most of the bleached strands have been cut off anyway. HAH.

Also, I thought I should mention I used LUSH's R&B Hair Cream/Leave in conditioner thing on just the dyed bits, it kept my hair super smooth and it never for a second looked like it had been bleached.
I higgghhlly recommend using this if you plan on coloring your hair.
I still use it on my hair, because its basically meant for curly hair, and it sort of helps my wavy - curly hair find a good balance between bloody mess and crazy curls. (see picture above for messy curls)

I think I might dye my ends lavender next.
What do you think?

Sunday 7 July 2013

Trend Talk - The Birds and the Bees.

It started with owls, then came The Hunger Games and the Mokingjay that everyone seemed to be copying, and now its made its way to all birds, wings - even bees.
As someone who has always loved quills and feathers (I have a tattoo, for crying out loud), wings and birds in general. I love this trend.


What I like even more is the shorter necklaces .. similar to the name necklaces made famous by the one and only Carrie Bradshaw.

I personally love this particular trend, and I'm sure its one thing I'll be wearing lonng after it dies out.
But since its just in the starting stages, even in the forecasts, this is going to be around for a bit.

Do you like this length? Birds? Wings?
Let me know! :)

Friday 5 July 2013

An ode to glow - Luster Drops

So today, I'm going to be telling you about my luscious friend in a little bottle.
MAC's Lusture Drops in Sun Rush.
I have oily skin, and tend to look naturally glowy - er, oily. But once you've powdered and contoured, a lot of the oilyness is replaced with semi matte skin.
Enter highlighters.
I don't like powder highlighters much, as I find they're a bit too white/silver for me? Or maybe I'm looking in all the wrong places.
I first came across these luster drops in a youtube video, not sure which one, I think it was Beautycrush? She was talking about Pink Rebel, which is the other shade. 

MAC says "A Bronzer that applies like liquid sun, Water-based, beautifully smooth to apply with added pearlized luster. Provides sheer, natureal-looking highlights with a luminous, shimmery finish."



Sun Rush is decribed as a "peachy bronze with gold pearl".

To me, it just looks like liquid gold.
It doesn't really look like I've thrown a bunch of highlighter on my face, instead it catches the light in just the right way, giving my face a nice natural looking sheen and well, glow.
I use it on the tops of my cheekbones, under my eyebrow and in my tear duct area. 
It can also be mixed with your foundation, if you prefer.
It's just so beautiful. 

Now, I am woefully unaware of how much it costs here, because it was a gift from my parents when they came back from Europe last year, but I shall try and find out. 
All in all, I really think its an under hyped highlighter.

So tell me, would you purchase this?


Monday 1 July 2013

June Favorites '13

I love love love reading "favorites posts", and commenting, especially. 
But now that I have a blog for all things beauty, I guess I could add my own set of monthly favorites. 

This month has been all about the mattes for me. Especially with eyeshadow, I've been obsesses with the matte neutral eye with a dark crease and a bright colour on the lower lashline. 


Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua in B60
I think the words "holy grail" is thrown around waaay too much in the beauty blogosphere. But this foundation is till date one of the best foundations I have ever used.
It gives you this satiny glowy finish, and just enough coverage to rid your skin of all your blemishes and acne scars, but still letting your natural skin come through. And the smell. Sometimes, I just open the bottle up and sniff it. I love it. Ahh, I love this product.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
Now, everyone has heard of these brushes by Samantha Chapman of Pixiwoo, and of the lot that I own, this has got to be my favorite. SO good for foundation.

Bourjois Healthy Balance Unifying Powder in 56
I recently bought the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, but I keep it at home, around the same time, I got this Bourjois powder to keep with me in my bag, the shade match is perfect, it mattifies my skin and doesn't make it cakey. Win.

Soleil De Tan De Chanel in 62 Terre Epice
I do like this Bronzer, not as much as my NARS Casino, which is now over, and I need to repurchase when I go abroad, but its a good bronzer. Really.

Chambor Make Up Bag
See that cute black and white thing there? Thats my make up bag, it holds everything I need it hold and is amazing. Whats better? I stole it from my mom. Hah.

Chambor Teal Dazzle Eyeliner
Remember that "pop of colour" I was talking about? For my bottom lash line, this. It doesn't budge.

MAC Fabulously Festive Eyeshadow Kit in Wintercool
This was a gift from my mother for my birthday last year, and I've been onsessed with it ever since. I would not have picked up the cooler toned kit, but it just works somehow. In particular, I;ve been using Dancing in the Dark, Quarry and Burn. You might be able to see that I have never once used the highlight shade. Too shimmery.

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara
Long, well separated, fan like eyelashes? Not wet and doesn't make your lashes feel crispy? HELL YES.

MAC Tendertone in Purring
A. Its called Purring. B. It helps my case of chronic dry lips. And C, Everyone needs to own this.

Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle
Its my lips. The colour I mean. Hydrating and very pretty. Another handbag staple!

So these were my June Favorites.. what were yours?