The Palette That Beats Them All!

Freshly Toasted in the crease, Bitter Start to highlight the brow bone, Delicate Acidity and Warm Tones layered on the eyelid. Beans are white on the lashline

A hefty claim right? But this is coming from a girl who hates most premade palettes. I hate when I don't use something, which is why I just stay away from palettes in general. Quads, I can handle. And all the palettes that are hyped I see myself using 5-6 of the pans at the most, and I simple can't justify buying it... until I saw this. I saw it mentioned by a couple of people on YouTube... a quick check of Temptalia's review and I was sold. This is also rather special to me because the boy bought it for me *grins*, but I digress.
The Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette is most certainly me in a palette. It's incredibly warm toned, with a good range of both matte and shimmers. There is not a single eyeshadow I haven't used and loved. ]
A little technical information for you - each pan is the same size as a standard MAC pan and contains 1.5 grams of product (same as a MAC pan) so you're getting 15 grams of product. For 17.50 Euros (INR 1300 + shipping) you get 10 eyeshadows. When I bought it, inclusive of Shipping it cost me INR 2000, so each eyeshadow cost me INR 200. In my opinion, STEAL.
For one the packaging is ultra cute - not too OTT and totally functional. I love how slim it is... and the cardboard makes it perfect for travelling. Definitely a win for me.
In terms of pigmentation and colour pay off, it is insane. Every colour is buttery and pigmented and makes me want to own more of their eyeshadow formulation.
Bitterstart is a matte warm cream shade.
Sweeter End is a shimmery pale pinky gold - very similar to MAC's All That Glitter eyeshadow.
Warm Tones is a cranberry pinky red colour.
Subtle Blend is a warm bronze. It's similar to MAC's Bronze, but not as red.
Beans are White is a cool toned matte brown shade. NARS Coconut Grove is very similar. This one was a bit dry, but makes for an excellent brow or liner shadow.
Pure Ganache is a gorgeous slightly orange toned gold. It's warmer than MAC Woodwinked, but not as orange as MAC Amber Lights. It's actually a prefect mixture of the two.
Substitute for Love is a warm orangey brown with a hint of shimmer running through it, but it doesn't translate on the eyelid. It is almost an exact dupe of MAC Texture.
Freshly Toasted is a matte red brown. Similar to Makeup Geek's Cocoa Bear, but richer.
Infusion is deep brown-black with golden shimmer running through it. NARS Cordura is very similar, but is cooler.
Delicate Acidity is a cool toned taupey purple brown. I don't own anything like this and cannot stop using it.

As you can see, if you like warm shadows you need it. I haven't stopped using it since I got it, and I doubt I will. Without a doubt, favorite palette, ever!

What do you think?

FOTD #11

I am the worst blogger in history, I know. Sigh. Butttt, I have an FOTD to makeup (getit? getit?) for it? Cool?
This one is all about the eye makeup, not revolutionary, but I loved how it turned out.
And its so simple. Just a bit of MAC Bronze e/s all over the lid and smudged in the bottom lash line, and blended out... followed by Makeup Geek Corrupt Eyeshadow as a liner to intensify that outer edge and wing it out. Tons of lashings of the L'oreal Miss Manga Mascara and to really make the eyes stand out, MAC's Chromographic Pencil in Hi-Def Cyan on the waterline.
Its the easiest way for someone to look like you've put in that extra effort (I had a meeting that day) without really trying.
For the rest of the face, I used MAC Face and Body in C5 all over, followed by MAC Prolongwear Concealer to Highlight. NARS Casino to Bronzer, a little bit of the Chanel Loose Powder to set things and a smidgen of lip balm later, DONE.

It was so fast (10 minutes, no joke) and easy and turned out better that I'd expected.

What do you think?

FOTD #10

Before I start this - can you guys see how pasty I look? Ugh, I really need to pile on the bronzer, and its really making me feel like a corpse. Sigh. But anyway.
Its been a while, hasn't it? I always love posting these types of blogs and I'm so glad I could finally work out the lighting (Stand in front of my window with my camera held awkwardly in my hand) and the rest of that jazz.
This was a quick one before School one day in this past week.
For base I used my Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation all over, followed by my trusty Bobbi Brown Corrector under the eyes. I pricision powdered in certain areas of my face using my Chanel Loose Powder. I really piled on the Bobbi Brown Matte Bronzer to add some colour to dull face.
For the eyes, I went back to an oldie but a favorite.. the Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Cordura, followed by several lashings of my Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara! I ran some dark brown shadow through my brows.. A bit of lip balm and I was done!

What d'you think? 

Everyday in London

So what was originally supposed to go up on Friday is now here for you on this lovely Monday morning. I start classes today, which is a huge deal, I'm so excited nervous!

But this post is more about what I've been wearing on my face for the past week.
I've been keeping things fairly simple, because I have no idea if its going to rain or shine on me.. so I start with the Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua, a very light layer because in this climate, my skin seems to absorb this stuff like a sponge. Followed by the Bobbi Brown Corrector under my eyes. My skin has also been super dry, so i haven't been setting anything with powder.
For my cheeks, I've been using the Tarte Blush in Blissful, because without the colour I look grey.
For my eyes, I've been using the Estee Lauder Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained, along with my MAC Magnetic Appeal Mineralize Skinfinish in the inner corners, to brighten my eyes. For the eyebrows, the Anatasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade continues to make its daily appearance.
For Mascara, I've been using up my mini Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Really need to get a full size of it.
Much like the rest of me, my lips are dry and chapped, so i've been using the Maybelline Baby Lips. Simple, takes no time and easy!

What do you think? Also, I'm BACCKK!

No Makeup - Makeup.

I'm all about the smokey eyes and the bright lips, but on occasion, you want to look as natural as possible - without having acne scars and dark circles showing through.
So, I bring to you, my natural no makeup makeup look.

Makeup for me starts with a good base. I need my skin to look half decent, but it still needs to look like skin, so my Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua makes an appearance again. I've typed it out so many times that my phone now auto corrects anything that starts with 'Cha-' to 'Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua' and if my laptop could, it probably would too, whilst rolling its non existent eyes. But anyway. I dabbed a little extra foundation under my eyes to skip concealer.
Some colour always adds a bit of dimension and life back into my face so I used the Bobbi Brown Matte Bronzer in Dark on my temples, cheekbones, across the bride of my nose lightly and near my jawline - the intention was to make it look more natural and less contoured.
After popping a bit of MAC's Groundwork Paintpot on my eyelids, I used the same Bobbi Brown Bronzer in the crease of my eye, so deepen them more.
Now the real star of the show - them lashes. I haven't been much of a mascara girl in the past, but when you aren't wearing eyeliner, mascara really helps you bring some life and lift to your face. So I curled my eyelashes with my Shu Eumera Eyelash Curlers, and followed that up with a generous coat of the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara, which I have to say might be my favorite mascara ever (Thanks Aditi!). I really need a full size of this!
To finish things off, I ran a bit of NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow through my eyebrows, and viola!

Do I look natural to you? Just say yes...

FOTD #9

Okay so this was a fun day to dress up.
For the face I used the Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua, followed by the Bobbi Brown Corrector under the eyes. To set it all, I used the Kryolan Translucent Powder.
I contoured using the NARS Casino Bronzer, and used the Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful on the cheeks.
For the eyes, I used MAC's Woodwinked all over the lid, with Nars Coconut Grove in the outer half. I blended it all with Makeup Geek's Cocoa Bear, followed by the Maybelline Gel Liner. For the eyebrows I stuck with my favorite Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade and the Tarte Lights Camera Lashes! Mascara for ze lashes.. and for lips, I used MAC's Ruby Woo.

Its a pretty standard Indian-ish look for me.. what are your thoughts? :)

The Kat Von D Monarch Palette

I'll start with this - I'm not a swatches kinda' girl. You need patience and a very good eye/focus for it - and no matter how much I try, it just ain't good enough. Being a perfectionist, I can't put up something I'm not okay with. So you won't be seeing swatches, but you will be seeing posts of me wearing various colour combinations from this palette, and I hope that its enough.
If you do want to see swatches though - on Indian Skin, I'd ask you to head over to Aditi's Blog (which I love) for swatches.

Kat Von D's makeup range is something I've always wanted to try, I love her packaging (how rad are those butterflies?) I love her eyeshadows colours, and I desperately want to try her Tattoo Liner. And being quite tattood myself, you can see the appeal, can't you?
The Monarch Palette consists of warm neutral shadows. Though I won't say they're all warm, they really do have a complexity about them that you don't see very often in neutral shadows. As far as the palette goes - it has converted me to the premade palette love - something I previously hated.
The eyeshadows are buttery soft (a little bit powdery but nothing that you can't deal with) and blend like a dream together. They last about 9 hours on me before they start fading (I always use a primer). There is just SOMETHING about these colours that make me almost drool. Kat Von D really knows how to make her neutrals interesting - you won't find too many generic colours here... most of them have some interesting of unexpected undertone.
I have so many unsual favorites from this palette - yes ofcourse I love the orange the gold and the brown, but for me telepathy is the most gorgeous metallic beige - with a dirty green grey undertone, while delaney has such a beautiful taupey - silver vibe to it. Killing Jar is by far the most stunning rose gold I have come across and so flattering on tan skin!

This is probably the first thing that came to mind when I opened the palette. Its started out as a simple matte smokey eye, but towards the end, I decided to add a bit of shimmer to the inner corner and voila - its a whole new (albeit predictable) look.
After priming my lids, I used entomology (off white matte) all over the lid - upto the brow bone as a base. In the crease went wrath (the most gorgeous orangey-terra cotta colour - mildly shimmery) and I blended it, reapplied and blended it till I was happy with the intensity. On the lid, I used a bit of shadow box (matte dark brown) and blended it into wrath (note: I reapply and blend, A LOT). On the lashline, I smudged deadhead (matte black). I also used a bit of deadhead and wrath mixed together on the lower lashline. This makes for a very interesting smokey eye... but I wasn't happy with just "interesting" so patted summerfly (yellow-gold with shimmer) over shadow box, so it formed more of an antique gold. Tons of mascara later - done!
Rest of the face - Bourjois Happy Light Foundation, Bobbi Brown Corrector, Tarte Blissful Blush, a dusting of MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation and MAC Rebel Lipstick.

This palette is beyond beautiful, and I cannot wait to put up a few other looks I've come up with. What are your thoughts?

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.

FOTD #7

Another day, and another FOTD coming your way. It was one of my more - full on makeup days. When I wanted to use eyeshadow, a bold lip and perfect that base.
My choice for the perfect, flawless base (my skin looks photoshoped for crying out loud! And I assure you, its not) is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 7.5. Since it eliminates the need for concealer - even under the eyes, I proceeded to fill in the tail end of my brows with my Anastasia DipBrow Pomade in Ebony, because I tweezed away the arch of one eyebrow and I perpetually look half surprised now - and we can't have that in public now, can we?
For the eyes I have a new eyeshadow love, MAC's Sable the most gorgeous frostly plumy colour which has the uncanny ability to brighten my face up. For Liner, I used Makeup Geek's Corrupt with lots of lashings of the Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara (dabomb).
The rest of my face was graced with the presence of my Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Dark and a bit of Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre around the t-zone area.
For lips, I used my NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in San Paolo. Can you see that I'm obsessed with these?

Do you like?

Easy Everyday Makeup

Okay, so simple, barely even 2 minute makeup coming your way.
Its super simple, starting with Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua which covers everything that needs covering, as I've mentioned over and over again, I know you're sick of me saying it, I don't want to bore you, but really, its true. Since this eliminated my need for concealer, I've just been going with it.
Instead of powdering, I've just been bronzing my face ever so slightly with my NARS Casino Bronzer, which is making an appearance in my routine after a long time. For the eyes, wing liner courtesy of the Maybelline Gel Liner - focusing on the outer corners mostly. And for some added oomph, Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara along the eyelashes and the eyebrows to keep 'em in place.
Now, my favorite part - the lips. It usually changes from day to day, but on this particular day it was the MAC Lady at Play Mineralize Lipstick.

I just realized that this only consisted of 5 products. Hah, so another 5 product face thrown at you too!
What is your go to quick and easy makeup? 

The Chanel Face

More like The Chanel Base, but oh well.
Chanel - just the name invokes a sense of luxury. Who doesn't want to own that quilted Chanel bag or a little black dress? Until I can afford it, the Makeup has got to do. I don't own too many Chanel Products (3), but the ones I do own I use and love to death.
When buying Makeup, whatever the brand, my first instinct is always to try out face products - I think bases are my thing. For the sake of this post, I kept my makeup relatively simple because I just wanted to show you how well these products work together. There's just something about pairing products of the same company together, isn't there?
Vita Lumier Aqua gives you this gorgeously dewy finish has light-medium coverage. Somehow it manages to conceal all my spots and scars (as is evident) eliminating the need for concealer. It was also one of those days where I woke up after a loooonng restful night of sleep and hence did not have to battle my dark circles. I lightly dusted the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre all over my face - focusing under the eye and around the cheeks to keep my foundation in place and help it last all day, because this day was a long 'un.
I skipped the bronzer (shocking, I know!) and headed straight for my Le Blush Creme De Chanel in Presage (62) which looks so natural. I don't blush by nature, but my face does go a shade of almost beetroot red when I work out - not attractive in the least - but this is a "I wish I blushed this colour - heck, I wish I blushed at all" kind of natural.
The rest of my face consisted of eyeliner, running a bit of NARS Coconut Grove through my eyebrows and my NYX San Paulo on ze lips! Curled 'em lashes just for definition sake and left it at that.

What are your favorite Chanel Products?

Current Favorites

I give up on my hair. Its official.

When I first started this blog, I used to religiously post my monthly favorites. I love watching favorites videos on youtube, but somehow unless you're buying makeup regularly or have an extensive makeup collection, your favorites end being pretty much the same products - which there is no point in repeating month after month. So, I thought I'll post a more of a "currently loving" or "what I'm loving" type thing.
Also, included for your viewing pleasure is all of these products on the canvas that is my face.
For base, I've been loving the MAC Strobe Cream - it adds some serious life to my dull and dehydrated skin. Foundation wise the Bourjois Happy Light Foundation hasn't left my face since it has some into my life. Light and longwearing, perfect for summer! Another more recent favorite of mine is the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, I can use it under my eyes, to hide my spots and scars without worrying about it fading away because this things lasts.. long.
I've been contouring with the Inglot 357 Matte so much offlate that I've temporarily moved my bronzers to the back of my face drawer.
For the eyes, I've been reaching for my Makeup Geek Eyeshadows a lot! Creme Brule is the perfect transition shade for me, so I start with that, I then use Cocoa Bear to intensify the crease (sometimes I mix it with Mocha) and vanilla bean to highlight. For my lid, the Bobbi Brown Metallic Eyeshadow in Cognac has really been a go-to. I generally pat it onto my lid with my fingers. I also use MUG Corrupt as a smudgy liner towards the outer corners of my lashline. For mascara, a new discovery of mine has been the Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara which gives unbelievable length and separation, its also surprisingly light and not at all  mascara-ey (if you know what I mean?)
And lastly, for lips, I haven't stopped wearing the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry. Once again, long lasting, compliments BB Cognac and easy to wear.

So, these are my favorites, what are yours?

Colour Coordinating - Lip and Cheek

When I got my Chanel Cream Blush in Presage - and used it on my cheeks, it reminded me of another product I used to have but threw away because it was over 2 years old. The Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Cabo Coral, I loved it so much. I used it on my lips and cheeks pretty darn often.
I'm not really a matching kind of girl - but when I saw the Chanel Blush, a similar lip colour was something I was sure I could get on board with.
So when I saw Lily Pebbles post about the new YSL Baby Doll Kiss and Blush things - something hit me - my NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp! It was pretty identical in the tube, and when swatched, you couldn't really tell them apart - both matte and creamy. It was meant to be.
In the above picture, I am sporting my Chanel Presage as well as NYX Antwerp. Though subtle, I think it really works with my skintone.

What do you think? Do you like this whole colour coordinating thing?

The Accidental Contour

Have you guys heard of the Kevin Aucoin Sculpting Powder? Every blogger/youtuber seems to rave about this product - Incase you don't know what it is, it is a cool toned grey-brown powder that you use to contour. The colour is supposed to mimic the actual shade of your skin's shadow.
Now, I have never tried this product, but I've never seen anyone with tanned/dark skin use it, which I presume is because it comes in only one shade, which seems to work very well for pale skins. Until I get a chance to actually use it, I might never know what its like.. but until then...
...I can use my Inglot 357 Matte. An eyeshadow I have professed my love for several times. Now see, this is a warm brown colour, - so you must me thinking "how is this related to the KA Sculpting powder?" well, patience, grasshopper. See, on my skin, it seems to have some kind of taupey-grey undertone. So my brilliant mind decided to try it as a contouring product. And voila! Its just warm enough for it not to look ashy, but cool enough for it to work as a contour shade while really sculpting out those cheekbones.
I've honestly stopped using my bronzer to contour, I just use it to bronze now - because this is so perfect.

I love products that can multitask and my guilt for ignoring this colour due to my MUG shadows has now totally evaporated. Model cheekbones, I'm here. 

Matte and Sultry

So everyone knows by now that the Revlon Matte and Lacquer Balms have launched in India. I actually got them the day after they were launched and I was really disappointed to see that most of the more neutral matte balms hadn't come here.. that didn't stop me from picking up the Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry. Sultry seems to be the most wearable shade of the range they bought here - I'd call it a plumy pink brown, which is perfect for everyday. Some of the colours pulled almost neon - very good for bold lip lovers. But for the rest off us? I demand the rest of the range - ya hear me Revlon? And while you're at it, I'd like the SkinLights range aswell, THANK YOU.
I've been wearing it on most days since, and I must say this is better than my beloved Balm Stains - the matte texture is very light and leaves a stain after about 4 hours on me - unless I eat, then it just disappears.
I think Revlon have really outdone themselves with the formula of these, hydrating and matte? Its a total winner for me in every aspect except price.. lets talk about that for a minute. INR 800?! RIDICULOUS.

I love this lip product - but at the price, I don't feel the need to own the others. Sigh.
What are your thoughts?

First Impressions - Bourjois Happy Light Foundation

I don't think I've ever seen a "First Impression" blogpost before, if you have, let me know? I love watching these videos on youtube, but somehow I just cannot ever think of starting my own Youtube Channel - so I thought I'd just do a post.
If you know me, you know my taste wanders to the higher end cosmetic brands when it comes to Base Makeup. But lately, I have been finding a fair few gems in the more "budget" makeup brands.. such as the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams (post here) or the MUG Eyeshadows (Here, here, here and here), but the one thing I haven't really found is a good foundation. Now you also know much I love my base products - be it illuminators/ primer/ highlighters/ foundation/ concealers/ bronzers.. the one product over the last month or so that has been a stand out for me was the Bourjois Happy Light Illuminating Primer. I found myself reaching for it practically everyday since I got it - needless to say I was curious about the foundation from the same range.
Colour Match - I have never found a good shade match in drugstore foundations, for whatever reason, and when I saw that they had only 5 shades in the Happy Light range, I was not confident. I thought I'd probably be matched to the darkest shade in the range - 54, but the sales girl insisted that I try 53, which at first looked too light for me; but it blended into my skin so beautifully and ended up looking exactly like my skin - but better.
Packaging wise - it comes in a glass bottle (which means not great to travel with; you probably can travel with it, not a big deal for me) with a coral/pink pump (Hygenic, easy and perfect! It should be mandatory for all foundations to come in either a tube or with a pump) - its so pretty! I'm usually someone who hates anything but monochrome packaging, but who can resist this?
Also, I'd like to point out that this doesn't seem to have SPF in it. Atleast I can't see it on the bottle. A lot of people seem to find the lack of SPF a bad thing - but I really love when foundations don't have SPF (If my beloved Chanel VA didn't have SPF 15, it really would be the perfect foundation) because I can use it at night/when the flash is on and I can look glowy and natural sans the disgusting white cast. During the day, I'd just use it over my regular Sunscreen (Neutrogena SPF 50+).

Makeup - Bourjois Happy Light Fondation in 53, Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque, Chanel Loose Powder (under the eyes), Inglot 357 Matte to contour, Anastasia DipBrow Pomade, Eyes - Makeup Geek e/s in Cocoa Bear, Galaxy and Corrupt, Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara, Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation is suited for dryer skins, I have gathered - it provides "8 hours of hydration" according to the bottle - which is something someone like me, who has dehydrated skin really yearns for.
As you can see from the first to second picture above, all I need is one pump to cover my face and blend it into my neck. The texture is a little on the runny side (not as runny as Face and Body though) and it glides onto the skin pretty easily. As I said earlier it did look a bit too light but it blended in with my skin really well. Coverage wise I'd say its sheer-medium. Dabbing a little more product over certain areas really gave me the coverage I needed; it also imparts the most healthy looking glow to the skin which looks so natural and really lovely. I also feel the need to mention that it does have a slight fragrance - but nothing that lingers.
For reference,I didn't powder any part of my face except the undereye area to see how the foundation wears on its own.
If you're someone who doesn't like the feeling of foundation on your skin - you might like this, as I just couldn't feel it. Is that why its called "Happy Light?" Hmm.

Incase you were wondering - I had eaten, and with that went away my lipstick - entirely. Sigh

As you can see - after about 4 hours it settles into the skin a little more - everything still looks pretty great - not a bit of wear in sight. I thought my skin was looking pretty darn good.

I didn't bother reapplying the lip colour for some reason - oh yeah, I just forgot

So this is after a little more than 10 hours. It looked a lot more worn at this point, and had started disappearing around my scarring - you can also see that my undereye concealer seems to have faded a fair bit; but after 10 hours, it was totally expected.
There was no clinging to dry patches, no oxidizing, and most importantly, not once through the day did it look like I was wearing a ton of makeup - I was even complimented on my "glowing skin". Really, if that doesn't tell you how this foundation seems to have performed, I don't know what else can.

So my first impression of this foundation would be - LOVE. Its so light and covers everything I need covering while making my skin look healthy and really fresh - I can see this becoming a summer staple. Just one little point though - I'd suggest getting one or two shades lighter than you normally do - just because the Happy Light range seems to run more yellow and darker than its Healthy mix counterpart. Oh, and it costs INR 1495 for 30ml.

Do you like these First Impression posts? Should I make this a regular feature? What are your thoughts on Happy Light?

P.S. Have you noticed my new blogging schedule? I post Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30am IST.

5 Product Face, Revisited.

My first 5 product face can be found here, and I would like to think my photography skills have improved drastically. I'm all about looking natural, but sometimes when I take inventory of the products I use to look natural, I'm astounded - you don't really need to use a liquid AND a powder highlighter everyday, y'know?. That, I think, is when it is time to intervene, and where the 5 product face comes in handy, it reassures me that I can still look half decent without 10 - 12 different products.

For the face I used my Giorgio Armani LSF foundation - which is full coverage enough for me not to need concealer, even under my eyes (last mention of this product, I promise). I chose my Bobbi Brown Bronzer to lightly contour my face and as an eyeshadow - it looks fab. I used my Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade for eyebrows and eyeliner. A new mascara I've been trying out is the Max Factor Lash Extensions Mascara - It adds lotsa length and really good seperation. I could have gone with a nice bold lip, but somehow I just wasn't feeling it - so I used my Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream.

So that's it. Simple, easy and takes less an 10 minutes. Win? Hell yes.

Lets Grunge it Up!

I used to love Grunge Music in my teens, Grunge - Metal, the whole shebang. Now, many years later, the music may not appeal to me, but grungy clothing and makeup still does.

Products Used
MAC Strobe Cream
MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach
Chanel Loose Powder (to set the under concealer)
Kryolan Camouflage Creme in D14 (eyebase)
Makeup Geek Cocoa Bear (lid) Creme Brule (transition) and Corrupt (lashline)
Rimmel Scandaleyes Khol Kajal in Nude
MAC Velvet Teddy lipstick blotted out

This is sort off my go-to makeup at the moment, what do you think about it?
Also! I'm thinking about re-building my MAC 15 pan palette - suggestions?

Makeup Geek - Daytime Mattes

So this is the first of a three part series of looks using my new Makeup Geek Eyeshadows. This particular look is all matte, and very daytime appropriate, atleast I think it is.

Products Used.
Bourjois Happy Light Illuminating Primer
Chanel Vitalumier Aqua in B60
MUFE Full Cover Concealer in 10 (used as a highlight)
Inglot 357 Matte eyeshadow to contour.
Makeup Geek Eyeshadows in Creme Brule (Lid), Cocoa Bear (outer third), Mocha (Outer V) and Vanilla Bean (brow highlight and tear duct)
Maybelline Gel Liner
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream

So thats that! Let me know what you think? :)

Birthday Weekend!

Birthday weekend post coming your way in 5.. 4.. 3.. 2.. 1. Note: Picture Heavy.

So, the 9th of February was my 22nd Birthday (yay, oldage) and it turned out into more of a weekend bonanza than just a Sunday celebration becauseeee.. my best friend Nikhil's (See picture above, with the birthday boy) Birthday is on the 8th. So it turned into a fun filled weekend! (Though, sadly, I ended up working on both days, ugh)
On Saturday, we drove out to Moonrakers in Mahabalipuram, where you get the tastiest fresh seafood, though we didn't take too many pictures (we aren't picture people) we managed a few here and there.

On Saturday night, my lovely parents surprised me with my favorite red velvet and cream cheese cupcakes from the Cupcake Company.
On Sunday, we went out for lunch with the grandmother, followed by some shopping (LOTS of new things, yay!) and went to the Great Kebab Factory for dinner. (so good, so full)
Oh and for your viewing pleasure, I took a bunch of Birthday pictures with my cats - Qoco (black) and Snowman (White).

Now, onto my favorite part - throughout the weekend I wore pretty much the same makeup, featuring some new products from Bobbi Brown and a highlighter from MAC!
For my base, I have found the most beautiful combination of Chanels' Vita Lumier Aqua mixed with Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, the coverage that the two combined gives me kills the need for concealer - at the same time it looks bloody natural and so - I'm glowing-from-within. I used my new Bobbi Brown Dark Peach Corrector under my eye (I was matched to Dark Bisque for god knows what reason, and have used up 3 of those - but I feel peach does a better job of eradicating the darkness). For my eyes, a new shadow acquisition, which is Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Shadow in Cognac - Its a burgundy plum, and my first venture into the BB shadows, I have to say, its LOVE. Buttery goodness and the pigmentation - sweet baby jesus.
I blended that out with my Inglot 357 Matte, and used my Maybelline gel liner. For brows, Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow in Ebony. For ze lashes, I used the very hyped Benefit's They're Real! And I have to say, I'm underwhelmed. Yes it can hold a curl, but no, it doesn't make the dramatic difference that people claim it does, but then again, it could just be me.
Okay, we're almost there - two more new products that I used this weekend was the Bobbi Brown Matte Bronzer in Dark (Better than my beloved NARS Casino? Jury is still out!) and the MAC's Extra Dimension Skin Finish in Magnetic Appeal as a highlighter (I've never tried these before, but I've got to say, I'm hooked). Highlighter seems to be my new addiction - but more on that later.
I finished everything off with MAC's Rebel which just.. aaah, look at it!

Ze new beauty stuff!

Haulage - Boyfriend jeans - Marks & Spencers, Layered necklace - Accessorize, Houndstooth Snood - Aldo, Black Wedges - Aldo, Bag - Oasap.com

So, that was my birthday weekend, with a little Face of the Weekend thrown in.. what did you think? :)