Sunday 22 September 2013

Night Out #4


As the title would suggest, I went out the other night. And going out after ageeess meant it was time for a fun bright lip!

Products Used.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Honey
MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation in NC43.5
NARS Casino Bronzer
Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint in Fuller Fudge
NARS Cordura Duo
NARS Coconut Grove
Maybelline Gel Liner
MAC Mineralize Lipstick in Lady At Play

What have you been wearing? :)





Thursday 19 September 2013

The Wing.

Winged Liner. I've been wearing winged liner for a good four years now, which is the longest relationship I've had with.. well, anything. I don't think I've ever left my house without some variation of a wing, because without, as my friends would gladly confirm to you, I look sick-depressed-very-unlike myself. 
I guess I can say that over the years, this has made itself a permanent place in my "signature look"?


If there's one thing I feel I've perfected, its the winged liner, so today I'm sharing with you what I've learned from my daily attempts, success/failures.

  • Stick to gel eyeliner - the consistency works best, if you ask me... especially if you have oilmine lids. Gel liner is also easier to use and work with. I can't stand that cold-wet feeling of liquid liner, so I just shy away from it at all times. 
  • Gel eyeliner usually lasts even through an afternoon nap, in my case, but on days I KNOW I might just end up rubbing my eyes due to the fact that I'm stuck in lab for 14 hours (GC, I'm looking at you), I set it with a bit of black eyeshadow, just along the wing, to ensure it stays put. 
  • I always start with the angle I'm going for first. And do that on either side. This makes sure its even, and it gives me the liberty to decide HOW I want my liner.. thick from the tear duct.. thin from the centre of the eye.. you get the picture?
  • The Brush - in my opinion, you need a brush for good liner, and no, not talking about the applicator that comes with liquid liner. I know most stores like MAC try and sell you an angled liner brush like the MAC 266? Yeah. No. I prefer traditional brushes, like the (MAC) 210 or 211. They're easier to line the eyes with, and give you a really SHARP precise wing. 
Now, I'm not sure if this really helps anybody out? But this just my two cents on what works for me. 
Do you like your winged eyeliner? :)

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Lasting Power

So today, I thought we could talk lasting power. Make up that lasts all day long. 
When I know I have a really long day ahead of me I like to keep things simple. 


Especially on days when I know I'm going to be sweaty, and hot.. I stick to the bare minimum. Concealer, and powder, for starters. Something along the lines of a powder foundation which gives you decent coverage is a definite win in my opinion.
Next, with the eyes, I usually just wear liner, but sometimes, just liner doesn't cut it. On days like that, I've discovered Estee Lauder's Stay on Paint in Chained really works. I don't need a primer under it, and it stays put, all day long. (The above picture was taken after a particularly gruesome 11 hour day, mostly spent sweating in the sun.. so excuse the very tired face).
Also, instead of filling my eyebrows, I run some mascara through them.. this tints them ever so slightly and helps them stay put all day.
I avoid cheek products if I know I'm going to sweat.. especially since the place I sweat most is around my cheeks. I also only use clear lip balm, 'cause it keeps them lips hydrated.

In other news, I just got myself a new camera.. the Canon EOS M. Its mostly for my work.. but you can now expect better pictures - quality wise.
Isn't she beautiful? Hopefully, in the next few months I will be acquiring a portrait lens :)


Sorry for the rambly/update kind of post. My mind is currently all over the place. 
Oh, if you're particularly bored, head over here, to view my online portfolio. Sure, MOST of my important project like my graduation project is still missing.. but you can still get a look at what I do? 

Haha, okay, I'm ending this now. 

Saturday 14 September 2013

The Fool-Proof Face

Everyone needs to have one of these.. the fool-proof face. On days when you just don't have time to get creative but need to be out the door in 15 minutes, this comes in handy. 
It takes me about 8 minutes at the most, and I must say, I like the results. 


Excuse the weird thing my eyelid seems to be doing.. its not normal, I assure you.

I usually start off with a bit of concealer under the eyes and over any blemishes, I use the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Honey for this. When you need to be quick, I find it easier to use this instead of both this and the corrector. I also find this works better under my foundation of choice for on the go - MAC's Face and Body, quick, sheer and light it blends into my skin without much effort. So set the concealer I use MAC Studio Fix Powder and NARS's Casino gives me that much needed bronzed - sculpted cheeks. Since I've really been enjoying highlighter recently, I've started reusing MAC's Lusture Drops.
For the eyes, I need something super simple and easy, Clinique's Chubby Stick in Fuller Fudge is just that - easy. Run it over your lids a couple of times and blend out the edges with your fingers and you're done. Liner, which I cannot live without - Maybelline Gel Liner. Fill in the brows with NARS Coconut Grove, and the same, swept under the eye.. I usually avoid mascara unless I have AGES. 
Revlon's Lip Butter in Pink Truffle finishes the look, being the perfect my lips but better shade and all... and I'm out of the house. 

What is your fool-proof face?


Wednesday 11 September 2013

A Load of Veggies


Over the past few months, I've been making dinner for my family almost 4 times a week, apart from this I also make myself lunch on a regular basis. So inbetween all the things I get upto on a daily basis I need an easy way to consume as many vegetables as possible. Now this meal, and I say meal because it's heavy makes a good - hearty lunch. But I prefer it for dinner.
A few years ago, while watching (ogling) Jamie Oliver's show, I came across "bubble and squeak", basically, its a bunch of vegetables, boiled and then cooked in a bit of olive oil (and butter, if you're feelin' adventurous) until it browns nicely. Ever since, it has made it to my dinner menu atleast once a week. 
Thats the main attraction really, the rest are just supporting characters that add nutrition, flavour and texture. 

For 2 people - Bubble and Squeak - The Cast
1 medium sized potato
1 large carrot.
1/2 a small cauliflower
1/2 a small brocolli
8-12 brussel sprouts. 
1/4th pumpkin
1/2 a small cabbage
(Now, you don't have to use ALL of these, you could go with anything you have lying around your fridge...)

Boil the veggies in a pressure cooker till they're breaking apart... and mash them (in the original, its mashed on the stove top, however, I find mashing it before just helps cook it faster), add salt and pepper to taste. Now, heat a nonstick pan and drizzle a few tablespoons of olive oil and let it heat (you can add butter at this point if you'd like). Get all the mashed veggies into the pan, and spread it out in an even layer. 
While this is cooking, blach your spinach, drizzle it with olive oil and a good amount of paprika. 
It's time to trun the bubble and squeak.. that noise you're hearing? Thats where this dish gets its name.. the point is.. you need to cook your veg on all sides, not just the stop and bottom, so keep turning it.. till most of the surface is a warm brown. When this is done, take it out. In the meanwhile, get your toaster on, throw in a couple of slices of Multi grain bread - because its delicious and crunchy. You can also boil an egg if you want. I personally love my eggs soft boiled with a runny yoke, so I wait for the water to boil, take it off the heat and put the egg in for 6 minutes.
After your bubble and squeak is out, crank up the heat to high. Add a tiny bit of oil, salt, pepper and mashed garlic. When its really really hot, cut a tomato in half, place it in the hot pan and shut the lid. leave it there for a good 2-3 minutes. When you remove the lid, the tomatoes should've charred and cooked.
Now plate up, and dig in!

Fast, easy, and most importantly tasty.
Oh, lets not forget super healthy! Bon appetite! 

Tuesday 10 September 2013

A Little Correct and Conceal


Ah, Bobbi Brown. The company I have to thank for my two little concealer friends. Cute, aren't they? 
I first came across Bobbi Brown's Corrector and Concealer on youtube. The two together really seemed to work. So that year, when I went to Thailand on holiday, I ran to the Bobbi Brown counter to get matched. They matched me to Dark Bisque Corrector, and the concealer in Golden, even though I was pretty sure I was "Warm Honey". That was in 2011. For the record. DO NOT get colour matched on a holiday when you're tanned

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque
The corrector is supposed to correct the darkness under your eyes. Its creamy and slightly thick in consistency. I used to use my fingers with this because I read somewhere that the heat on your finger is supposed to loosed the product a bit, but hello? I have no body heat. (I get cold in Chennai, for reference). But I have found that the Real Techniques Expert Crease Brush is brilliant. It places just the right amount of product and blends it out like a dream. But I digress (whats new, really?)
I'm currently on my third corrector. I got my first one in Thailand, second in Singapore and third one more recently a week after Bobbi Brown opened in Delhi. I need it in my life. I do. 
It eliminates my under eye circles like no other I've tried. 
You're supposed to add the creamy concealer over this and set it, but I find it's too heavy and it creases. Just the corrector set with your normal face powder = win. 

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Honey
Though I was initially matched to Golden, I quickly realized it was too dark for me. (As soon as the holiday tan wore off) So it just sat at the back of my drawer, gathering dust. It didn't work for me over the corrector, but it worked really to hide blemishes. Recently, I've discovered I'm much lighter than I ever thought I was. Taking this break after college and not going out much has help me lose my tan that was accumulated during school, which continued on to college. Honestly, when I see my pictures now, compared to the ones before, there is a rather obvious difference. There is a point to all this, I promise you... My point being, after 2 years, I revisited my Creamy Concealer, and this time I got it in Honey. Honey is the perfect shade match to my face (which is lighter than my hand). It covers ANY blemish of mine and stays put all day long. Its a miracle really. 
And the best part about Honey? It works as a great under eye concealer on its own. 

Have you tried Bobbi Brown Concealers? 


Saturday 7 September 2013

The Transition Shade


If you're an eye makeup kinda person, you probably know the importance of the Transition shade. If your eyemake were a movie, where your lid and crease colours are your lead roles, the transition colour would play a supporting character. Not as important as the lead, but aids making the lead look better, adding necessary comic timing, advice etc. Without the supporting cast, the mains sort of die away sometimes.
Same with a transition shade. If you like your smokey eyes, and I know I do - the transition colour is your best friend.

What is it?
Typically a shade or two darker than your skintone it helps blend out the darker crease colour and gives your eyes that effortless gradient of colour. Ofcourse this is the case with more natural eye looks - bare in mind.

Shade selection
The two I have here are Buck from the Urban Decay Naked Palette - a matte brown and Inglot's 357 Matte. I use them more than I realize, truth be told. Immediately after I put on my primer/paintpot I place this colour on my crease and upwards, its so automatic that I don't need to think. (I'm talking about neutral eyes, when you're using colours, it changes if you want it too)



Tools
A blending brush, ofcourse. I like MAC's 217, but really.. who doesn't? It does all the work for you, a lazy persons dream.

What exactly does it do?
^ read above movie reference. It makes everything better.
Even when you use darker colours like black or dark blue, this helps blend out the edges and make everything look seamless.

So, do you believe in the wonder of the transition shade?


Thursday 5 September 2013

Bronze for every Budget

Without hesitation I can say a good bronze cream eyeshadow is a definite must have for everyone. From a makeup noob to seasoned players. It can be worn on its own for a quick I've put in SO much effort - effortless look to a stay-put-all-day base under your eyeshadows. 
I currently own three, and as it happens they're from three strata of brands. Hence this post came into being.
Bad to the Bronze, Indianwood, Chained

Bad to the Bronze, Indianwood, Chained


Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
I don't need to introduce this product to anyone really, they're all over the blogosphere, and this shade in particular has been getting a lot of hype. I don't buy a product unless I've read atleast a zillion reviews.. which is why when I bought this I was nothing short of disappointed. For starters, the colour.. is not what I expected at all. Yes, I saw it and swatched it in the store but somehow it just doesn't work on my eyes. Or is it my skintone that brings out a more taupe-ashy almost silvery brown colour to this supposed bronze that just is not flattering. I've seen this on other people, and it looks completely different. Now my only issue with this isn't just the colour, I don't like the texture of this one in particular. I have other shades from the Colour Tattoo range which are fine, brilliant even. But this one drags on my eyelid, it applied uneven and patchy, and it also creases terribly (even with a primer underneath it and eyeshadow over the top to set it). I have tried every possible way to make this work for me, but sadly it doesn't.
This being said, its just me. It still looks beautiful on other skintones and other people. I've used it during photoshoots and it has photographed beautifully.
For the price, I would definitely say as a range, this is amazing. And the variety of colour is really applause worthy. (INR 350)

MAC Paintpot in Indianwood
Ah, Indianwood, I have nothing but fond memories associated with this. Its the perfect gold-bronze in my opinion, with an orange undertone that really brightens your face almost instantly.
This was my first ever venture into cream eyeshadow, and its probably my most used eye product till date (other than liner) If you layer this under MAC's Woodwinked or Amber Lights, you've got yourself a winner and I guarantee a few compliments in the least.
As far as texture goes, paintpots in general are a bit dry, which works perfectly for my oilmine lids. This lasts a reasonably long time (think 6 hours) before it fades ever so lightly. Mind you if worn on its own. If I wear it over a primer or under an eyeshadow I have no problem what so ever. (INR 1100 when I bought it, not sure if the price has increased now)
I've love this shade to bits and I never thought I would another shade that works better for me than this...

Estee Lauder Stay On Shadow Paint in Chained
...until I found this one. 
I often just skip luxury makeup brands, mostly because (a) the price and (b) the newer products aren't that easily available here (c) when you're new to makeup and you want to collect try so many different things, luxury brands just don't come to mind (atleast mine). But once you past that initial phase of pokemon -gotta catch 'em all- syndrome you start picking and choosing more carefully. 
If you would like a cream eyeshadow with a texture like no other, that is long wearing and so beautiful on the eyelids you never want to take it off - this one is for you.
Estee Lauder's Stay on Shadow Paints first caught my attention in the beginning of the year when the rave reviews hit every blog I read and Chained made it to my wishlist almost immediately. They've recently been launched in India (INR 1950) and I have to say they're worth every penny. 
I've used it on its own and it lasted 12 hours on me (oilmine lids, remember?) without fading or creasing. Worn over primer it will probably be longer. In terms of texture its like nothing I've used before. It almost like chocolate mouse (complete with bubbles et all) and applies like a dream using both fingers and a brush. You can really sheer it out or pack on the colour, as per your preference. 
..and the love affair with Estee Lauder begins.

If I had been asked my favorite bronze eyeshadow a month back - it would have been Indianwood, but now its without a doubt EL's Chained. 
Next on my wishlist? Chanels Illusion d'ombre in Ebouli and Benefits Bronze have more fun. Like I said.. pokemon syndrome.

What is your favorite cream eyeshadow formulation?
Let me know!





Tuesday 3 September 2013

The Evening Portion - The Finale

I think this will be the final post of the "Evening Portion" Series. I hope you guys enjoyed it :)
I thought I would finish off with something easy. I also wanted the Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Sticks to be seen in action. 


Products Used
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Buck (transition)
Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Sticks in Bad Girl Bronze
Rimmel ScandalEyes Shadow Sticks in Bullet Proof Biege
Maybelling Gel Eyeliner
Rimmel Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara

I have got to say, these shadow sticks really are impressive. I recently got the Clinique version (which is the original), I'm thinking of doing a comparison post? Let me know!



Sunday 1 September 2013

Start September with a Scramble.

Eggs, joyous eggs. The one thing I don't see living my life without (other than qoco). Versatile, soft, beautiful, delicious.. I could go on with the adjectives. 
Of the variety of egg-related-dishes you can make, the most easy is the scrambled egg, not to mention its fast and its tasty. 
(Although, its also so easy to screw up, undersalted (yuck), over cooked (ew) and rubber (*gags*) are just some examples of the crappy scrambled eggs I've tasted around the world [sounds fancy, don'it?])
It can be anywhere from rich and luxurious (Made with cream and butter) to healthy (made with milk and pepper). But if you want to up a notch and make it so scrumptious that you will thank the Good Lord for every bite you take.. read on. 

FYI. This is a "healthy recipe". Guilt Free and so so good for you, and your taste buds. 


The cast.
An egg (per person, or 2, or even 3, depends on how greedy you are)
1 small onion (chopped into the tiniest pieces your fingers will let you [onions, not fingers]
Half a capsicum (like the onion)
1 small tomato (be careful here, with all the red, keep those fingers close to you)
1/2 cup of grated broccoli (this is NOT an option. add it, you can thank me later)
1/2 a cube of Processed cheese (this is very optional)
1/2 a cup of milk. 

Start with a tea spoon of olive oil, saute your capsicum, onions and broccoli until golden (in that order, or else it will be ruined. I'm kidding. Not
Now that your veggies are golden and looking pretty - add in the tomatoes. Salt and Paprika (to taste). 
Just when the tomatoes start to cook add in the milk, and grate your cheese over it. Mix it all together and add your egg. Now, this is where you need to be really, really careful. Since we've added tomato and cheese, its going to slow down the scramble and make it too runny, so decrease the heat to low and keep stirring. 
When you think its ready (scrambled and a little runny, in my case) take it off the heat and place it over a piece or two of toasted whole grain bread (texture - check, crunch - check).
You could drizzle some ketchup and mustard over it, actually you should - need to.

So, try this out and you'll love it.