Monday 30 June 2014

The Duo Everybody Needs!




I've been yammering on about the NARS Cordura Duo since I got it back in August, last year. You can see how well loved it is...
Honestly speaking, I don't have much to say about it other than its FRIKKIN' AWESOME. Firstly, its everything you will need in a little easy-to-pop-in-your-bag kind of compact. It contains a warm shimmery brown gold that looks gorgeous on its own just blended around the edges... and then it has the darker colour. A cool grey-black with gold glitter that doesn't have fallout, has excellent colour pay off, and blends like a dream. You can see how it looks on/works together in the pictures above. (I'm also wearing blush - Tarte's Blissful - I'm loving it!)
As far as the shadows themselves go.. they are buttery soft and a dream to use.
Now, these duo's are expensive. I think they cost USD 34 (INR 1840 approx) But they contain 2 grams of eyeshadow in each pan (4 grams in total) - whereas a typical MAC eyeshadow has 1.5 grams per pan (If you bought 2 MAC eyeshadows (Pans - 750 x 2 = 1500 for 3 grams + a palette to put it in) you still end up paying less for a NARS Duo.

If you have access to this, buy it. You know you need it.
IF you don't, you could always stalk Strawberrynet like I do! Kalahari... you will be mine soon.

Friday 27 June 2014

NEW IN! The Sephora Edition


Let me just start by saying, I have the best friends ever. Recently, my friend Achu was on holiday in America, before going, she said those magic words ... "Do you need anything from Sephora" immediately, I gave her a list of Hourglass Products I was dying to own and the new Urban Decay Electric Palette. Unfortunately, after searching high and low, none of the Sephora's near her stocked Hourglass, so I readily gave her my second list, consisting of blushes for my mother and myself, and some MAC stuff for the kit. Alas, that wasn't meant to be either. Instead of the MAC stuff I ended up with the Kat Von D Monarch Palette!

Urban Decay Electric Palette - A palette full of highly pigmented bright colours? Sign me up. Even though I may not use this everyday, think of all the potential it has for photoshoots and professional work. (Btw, the colours shattered, despite being packed among clothes.. but do not fear, it was nothing a little rubbing alcohol couldn't fix) I can't wait to use this. (let me know if you'd like to see it on me? One toned down and one super creative maybe?)

Kat Von D Monarch Palette - Have I not mentioned enough times how much I hate pre-made palettes? Why did I get this you ask? For one, I am a sucker for anything to do with Kat Von D. Girl Crush alert. Not only is she a kickass tattoo artist (my dream is to one day have her tattoo me) and brilliant artist, the girls got her makeup down pat. Skillzzz.
The Monarch palette is warm toned with a good mix of mattes, shimmers and frosty (I mean shineeyyy) colours.. I played around with it today, but I cannot wait to come up with a several fun looks with it.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful - Originally, I wanted Tipsy and I got Blissful for my mom. Somehow though, both of us liked the other one better. So I ended up with Blissful. After raves of these blushes, I tried it on and it gives me the most natural flush. I say flush because I actually turn this colour when I workout. Its just.. woah.

Clinique Cheek Pop in Berry Pop - LOOK AT IT. Yes, I'm aware that the Clinique cheek pops have supposedly released in India, but a) this is INR 600 less in the States and b) after practically stalking my clinique counters for the last month, I still haven't spotted them. Btw, under my roof, with my mother is peach pop, which I plan on err, borrowing .. just to try, ofcourse.

As per usual, I will report back on all of them. I have a feeling that Tarte's Blissful has made me convert to Blush. *gasp, shock, horror*. 

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Pretty in Pink?


Pink in lipsticks is something I am bit scared of. The sheer range of shades and hues with various undertones are enough to scare even the artistically inclined. But once you find that perfect pink, everything just falls into place. SO much so, that you start realizing you can never have too many pinks.. see picture above for pictorial evidence of this very thought.
These are basic ideas I follow when wearing pink - maybe it could help my fellow pink wearing noobs.

Start slow...
What really got me interested in the entire colour range was the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paulo - a duty rose with a bit of brown it. Its something that looks like a natural pink, only amped up a wee bit.
Wearing this got me thinking, pink is the natural colour of our lips, so this should work, non? And it does! Once I got past my initial discomfort in knowing I was wearing pink.. I went a bit pink mad. Houston, we have a problem.

When wearing a bright pink...
Now, the stylist in me begs you, please don't match your top and your lipstick? I will grovel at your feet if I must, but please. When people match the most prominent colour in their outfit to the makeup, I feel an intense depression coming on..
Instead, if you subscribe to the "matching" way of life, match to an accent, maybe bright pink polka dots, or flowers - whatever. All I'm saying is, don't overdo it. You'll end up looking like ice cream.
Instead, let your lips(tick) do the talking. <--- See that I did there?

Keep it simple, stupid...
This is more of a general bright lip thing than just pink, but still. Keep the rest of the face simple. Smokey eyes and bright lips may work on photoshoots and for special occasions, but for the everyday, choose the feature you want to emphasize and stick with it.
I usually wear a bit of smudgey liner, a neutral eyeshadow like MAC Sable or Estee Lauder Chained with tons of mascara, and let ze pink shine! (Then again, if you like the whole heavy eyes and lips, by all means, be my guest)

So there you go, three simple things I like to keep in mind when wearing a bright pink lip.
I've written and rewritten this post several times, simply because I don't want to sound like I'm telling people what to do, honestly, I'm not. I'm just sharing something I've learnt hoping it may be helpful to someone else. (well, except point 2. I mean that.)

What do you think about pink?

Monday 23 June 2014

Products Worth the Splurge!


High End Products can be daunting mostly because of how expensive they are. But over time, after reading tons of reviews and trying them out, you may give in and buy a few things... or buy it on a whim and all in love. Either way. Lots of money is spent.
Caution: All the products are well loved, and I'm sure I will be repurchasing them when they finish/expire... they may tempt you, and I would like to be held fully accountable for it.

Giorgio Armani Si EDP
The whim I was talking about earlier? This was it. You see I hardly ever feature perfumes on this blog, despite being perfume obsessed. But here's the thing, so far I've only found one perfume I cannot live without, and that is Miss Dior.
When I was in Hong Kong, Giorgio Armani Si had just come out... and the posters were everywhere. I happened to be talking to a particularly helpful SA at the Duty Free when I was looking at the Marc Jacobs Daisy/Honey etc.. when I confessed my love for Miss Dior and how long it lasts on me, she pointed at this and said I needed it.
To put it very simply, it was love at first whiff. You can look up the notes etc here. But let me tell you, its amazing. Everyone who has smelt it on me till date has inquired about it (be it male or female) and it lasts atleast 12 hours. If I wear it the night before, I can still smell it the next morning. Its sweet, but not overly so.. its a little spicey, and oh so intoxicating. One whiff, and you'd probably agree with me.

Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua 
I've talked about this so many times I might as well give it its own post soon. But you know the drill, lightweight, excellent coverage, can be built up, glowly as hell and stays put for hours. It smells like a dream.. ugh, I cannot get over this. If you love base products, I'd say you have to try this one!

Estee Lauder Stay On Shadow Paint in Chained
Once again, this isn't new to the pages of Colliding Interests, but I can't NOT mention this... its the perfect cream eyeshadow in my opinion. It stays put for hours, looks beautiful, blends like a dream and the texture is so much fun to work with.
I had to hunt high and low to get these, and despite a few other colours in the range not being upto the mark, Chained most certainly is.

Guerlain Meteorites 
I have a full review of this here. But it doesn't hurt to repeat myself, does it?
If you don't mind a bit of shimmer, its perfect for setting, it blurs, hides blemishes and gives you that airbrushed look, only in person. If you can't stand that much shimmer all over your face, it works beautifully as a highlighter.
Everything about this bleeds luxury and is by far the definition of a splurge for me, but the smell, the container, the product.. definitely worth it if you're having a princess moment.

NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Cordura
Another product that needs to have its own post.. when my friend was coming back from Singapore, I asked her to get me a duo. Unsure between Cordura, Surabaya and Kalahari, I chose Cordura because it looked perfect for a complete eye look. It has a golden colour and darker colour which is what Nars seems to call Cordura. The gold/bronze colour is gorgeous.. it makes a very subtle lid colour, being slightly darker than my skintone. But the real star of this duo is the darker shade. Its almost a grey-black with golden shimmer. It is the most beautiful colour to smoke out any eye look. I've looked at various brands trying to find something similar, that does the same, but nothing compares.
As far as formulas go, the shadows are buttery and smooth with excellent colour pay off. They don't have any fallout (UD I'm looking at you), and stay on pretty long even without a primer.
If you have access to NARS (unlike me) I'd say BUY THE DUOS!

What are your splurge-worthy products?

Friday 20 June 2014

That Budget Highlighter




Nope, not the shimmery kind. The ever popular Kim K kind.
So, ever since the Touche Eclat came out (okay, its a highlighter people, NOT a concealer, no matter how misinformed SA's can be, this post confirms that.) everyone has suddenly discovered the use of these highlighting pens. Recently, the MAC Prep+Prime ones have been in the spotlight. Along with those, several budget options like the L'oreal one and the Maybelline one have also popped up. I may be late to the bandwagon, but oh hell, I love it now!
When I was browsing Slassy, I saw the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer and on a whim, I picked up the shade Honey. Honestly speaking, I wasn't expecting wonders, I was expecting ashiness.
But I was pleasantly surprised. So, this is by NO means a concealer. In fact, if I put it directly over my skin, it does turn a bit ashy on me. However, over a corrector like the Bobbi Brown one and it actually works.
Typically, I use it over foundation and corrector.. and I don't set it with powder. See, it does reflect light in a nice way, but dries down almost matte (as you can see), so powdering only makes it look cakey.
The trick with this is over corrector (if you need it, I DO) and devoid of powder.
Its easy as hell to blend into my skin and provides the most subtle yet noticeable highlight - y'know?
Priced at INR 525, I think this is a frekkin' steal.
And before you ask, yes I have used the YSL Touche Eclat (mother owns, I steal err- borrow), and guess what? I prefer this.

What are your thoughts?

Wednesday 18 June 2014

Project 10 Pan.


It suddenly dawned upon me that I have 2 months to go! Go where you ask? The UK ofcourse! So holy shit. Though clothes wise, I've been only buying things I can wear there for sure.. I realized I can't take all my make up with me - especially things that are almost finished/more than half empty. After having a huge clear out (Kit included) of things that have probably expired or just smell a bit funky, I decided to do this.. Project 10 Pan. In 2 months. So since this post is going to be going up on the 18th, I will talk about my progress once next month, and once again on the 18th of August.. possibly. Just 4 days before I leave, AAHH!
You see, all these products are either half used or almost used up - so I just need to finish it off.

MAC Face and Body - 1/3rd of the bottle left. This thing is too lightweight for me to wear without a ton of concealer right now, so I just feel to the need to use it up.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation - Its NC43.5 which is too orange for me, but light dusting maybe? But somehow I will finish most of this - I've almost hit pan.

Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua - Hardly anything left, honestly and I will be repurchasing (its cheaper here) before I go. But first, I shall finish it.

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation - This is not at ALL Travel friendly - took it with me to Delhi and failure... since I have finished about half of it, might as well use it all up, eh?

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque - Once again, wrong colour. Le Sigh. It needs to go, but good thing being there's just enough for maybe a month of usage.

Bourjois Happy Light Illuminating Primer - Same reasons as Foundation.

Nars Casino Bronzer - Okay, I love this, and the second I hit pan I stopped using it as much, but I don't want to carry it with me when it could shatter and break, so I might as well use it up. On the down side (personally) and Up side for this whole 10 pan thing, doesn't look like it will last all that long.

Clinique Chubby Stick in Fuller Fudge - Again, this is half over, and it drying terribly. Half of me just wants to chuck it, but I love it too much to do that, so I shall attempt to use it up.

Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara - Another one I need to repurchase ... but y'know the drill? Its Mascara.

MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy - My perfect nude. But with my new love for bright shades its going unused, also its starting to smell a bit off. So two months, I shall use it as much as I can, and then Back to MAC it goes.

So, wish me luck?

Monday 16 June 2014

Matte Lips for EVERYONE?


You get a matte lip, I get a matte lip, EVERYBODY GETS A MATTE LIP!
Okay, I'm calm now. But really, when I was going through my stash of lip products I realized just how many matte formulas I had, okay okay, not too many, but 4 is still more than the average person. And just for blog purposes (ofcourse thats a valid excuse!) I need to try the NARS Matte Formulas. Preferable 2 of each so it looks pretty when I take a picture... <--- that, is my mild OCD talking. Yep, mild.
Anyhoo, back to the topic at hand. A Matte formula for everyone.

The Long Lasting Matte
Now, Mattes in general last long, but when I saw long in this case I mean makeup-remover-cannot-get-it-off long. The MAC Retro Matte formulas are a bit on the drying side, but I'll deal with that gladly because these babies do. not. budge. Btw, I have Ruby Woo and Rentelessly Red. *insert heart eyed emoji*
I've drunk copious quantities, eaten the oilest food, heck, I've eaten chicken wings with these on, and nope, nada, they were still there. The next morning even. My cousin casually said "don't wear these unless you mean business" True? Very much so.

The Lightweight Matte
The kind of matte you can't feel on your lips... its not NOT drying, but you don't feel the damn thing! It doesn't stay as long as the other mattes, but it fades into the most beautiful stain.
I dubbed these the best lip product ever, and guess what? I still think so. I dedicated an entire post to these beauties, in case you haven't guessed, they're the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams. I have San Paulo and Antwerp.
And another bonus? The frekkin price. Its a steal I tell you, a STEAL!

The Moisturizing Matte
I just posted about this here. The L'oreal Colour Riche Moisture Matte Lipsticks are a formula I cannot stop yapping about. Hydrating, opaque and so so beautiful. I loved the one I had so much I got myself another one, and now I want a third. Oh dear.. Both Raspberry Syrup and Lincoln Rose are colours that just scream for attention, so its only fair that I get a more daily wear kind of colour right? Sheer Plum.. I hear you calling me name...
These don't come cheap, at INR 899, but in my opinion, worth ever penny!

The Easy Throw-in-your-bag Matte
No Surprises here! You didn't think I'd forget these would you? The only issue with a matte lipstick is sometimes the application. It takes time and sometimes staring into a magnifying mirror ...
The Revlon Colourburst Matte Balms are the easiest things you could use. You don't need a mirror to apply it (thereby denying the need to stare at your pores in the mirror, up close and very personal), and it stays put really well, fading well after about 4 hours. They're also perfect for on the go. Easy, hygienic and they don't melt!
These buggers can always be found at the bottom of my bag, because really, can wearing a matte lip get an easier?

NARS Matte Lippies, I have my eyes on you...
What about you? What is your favorite matte formula? If you don't like mattes, which one of these would you pick?




Friday 13 June 2014

Foundation Combinations


First off, Happy Friday the 13th! Lets hope nothing horrific happens to anyone.
The topic of todays post is something I've been doing for months now, for special occasions or just on day when I want to feel particularly pretty, but I realized I've never written about it. Mixing Foundations.
Originally, I used to mix different colours to find the perfect match... but on one such occasion (22nd Birthday lunch, post here) I decided to try mixing foundations for texture. So, I love my Armani Luminous Silk, if you haven't heard me rave about it enough, I recently did a post all about it. You see, it really is perfect, but sometimes, when my skin is having a bad day, it can feel a bit heavy. When I'm breaking out and I have to go out, I tend to use my Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua, being light but still covering everything, so at random, I mixed the two, and the way it made my skin look... no words can express. Btw, it can be seen in action here.
When the two mix, somehow, they manage to look super glowy and skin like, even more so than when either is worn alone.. it gives me the weightless feeling of the Chanel, with the blurring properties of the Armani.
And depending on the day/occasion I can customize my mix.
Bottom line --> Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation + Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua = flawless skin.

Have you tried mixing two of your favorite foundations? How did it work out for you?

Wednesday 11 June 2014

The Eyeshadow that always works.



You know those products that never let you down? No matter what your frame of mind or how bad of a mood you're in, how ugly you feel, when you put it on it just makes you happy. Never fails to make you feel like you "woke up like this". Pretty, happy, glowy, all of that! MAC's Sable Eyeshadow is one such product.
MAC calls it a "gold-plum with bronze pearl" in a Velvet finish. But its so much more than that. Its seriously sheeny, and instantly brightens my whole face. It comes off almost purple-taupe on me in some lights, but also shows up as a golden purple. It goes with pretty much any lip, when its a bright lip, it adds to it, never drawing the attention away from the lip. But when I wear it with just lip balm (like in the picture) or maybe a nude lip, it takes all the required attention without looking OTT.
Its my best eyeshadow friend. Wearable, but beautiful.

I will tell anyone, no matter what skintone, eye color, undertone to go out and buy this. Trust me. You'll be thanking me. :)


Monday 9 June 2014

The Moisturizing Matte




Hello,
Long time, no see. I know I know. I didn't post on Friday, for which I apologize. See, my cousin was here, and we were on holiday, and since I've been pretty regular about my blogging schedule during my 2 week holiday, I just thought I'd take a day off. So I did. But the holidays over now, reality has set in and a blogpost is here. :D
I thought the name for this post was pretty apt, but then I realized its pretty much what these lipsticks are called. The L'oreal Colour Riche Moisture Matte Lipstick are exactly what they say they are. A moisturizing matte lipstick. If you're someone who doesn't like the dry feeling of a matte lip, these are for you.
They're are soft. Completely opaque on application, leave your lips feeling moisturized and stay on for hours and hours! Seriously. These are awesome.
The only not so awesome thing? They cost INR 899, which is steep, but for these, I'd pay that price and then some.
And the packaging? Love!
I currently own only Raspberry Syrup, but I have a strange feeling I've found my "cannot live without it" Lipstick formula. THAT GOOD.
Still not convinced? JUST LOOK AT IT!

Buy it. Even if you don't like mattes. You'll love this. I assure you. 

Wednesday 4 June 2014

A New Addiction



Lip Products. Previously my least used Makeup Product. Actually, let me rephrase, Lipsticks were my least used product... did you notice the "were"?
I've always loved my lip balm, so much so that I have entire post dedicated to it. However, over the course of the year (yes! Its been a year!) that I've had this blog, I've discovered a whole new type of lip product, what works, what doesn't... and it really helps that there have been some cracker lipstick releases!

First and most obvious one so far, MAC Matte/Retro Matte Lipsticks - Ruby Woo was my first love, and though its a great red, I don't wear it enough. Velvet Teddy is a great nude, Rebel (satin) is the best colour ever, regardless of season or occasion, and the brights... Don't even get me started, although I will say two words - Relentlessly Red.
I have safely dubbed the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams as the best lip product ever, but a very very close contender is the L'oreal Matte Lipsticks (I have Raspberry Syrup - a great dupe for MAC's All Fired Up, I hear), moisturizing and creamy, while being matte and clinging onto your lips forever and ever, I really want a few more of these - Lincoln Rose, I'm coming for you. 
Lets not forget this whole chubby stick phenomena, starting with the Clinique Chubby Sticks Intense (Curviest Caramel being an almost identical dupe for Velvet Teddy, let me tell you) and ending with the latest Revlon Colourburst Matte Balms which are unparalleled in terms of ease of application and on the go touch ups.
What's next? Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets? A few more L'oreal Matte Lipsticks, maybe even a gloss or two? Stunned? So am I.

What are your favorite lipstick formulas?

Monday 2 June 2014

Night Out #6





Another weekend, some more going out, though, this week has been chaotic. Ever since I came back from Delhi, my cousin and I have been going out non stop, there's been a good amount of drinking (coming from a teetotaler, its ridiculous, but oh well you're 22 once right?) a lot of eating, and plentiful opportunities to dress up.
A new favorite of mine is the Bold Lip, which I've been sporting non stop - but more about that soon. For this night, I went with a pretty basic look, Bourjois Happy Light Foundation all over the face, with a bit of Bobbi Brown Corrector under the eyes. Some Chanel Loose Powder to set everything together.
For eyes, I went with MAC's Sable (really, best eyeshadow ever.. if that is a possibility), some Maybelline Gel liner and Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Mascara. 
And my favorite part - the lips. MAC's Relentlessly Red (new acquisition) which lasts through food, makeup remover and 8 hours of sleep. Impressed? I am.

Also, can we just discuss the little detailing in the dress I'm wearing? Its from Forever21, one of my few Delhi purchases. Just look at it... I'm in love.

So, this was quick, what do you think? :)