A Cheaper Alternative.

Luxury products are expensive... d'oh, it comes with the name. Just like Fashion and the Trickle Down Theory where the trend or product slowly makes its way down from High end to more affordable with a few modifications or just out and out dupes, the same thing seems to happen with Makeup. Now, I can't take credit for either one of these discoveries, but I can say that I have put them to the test. So here it is.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation and L'oreal True Match
Now, we all now how much I love my Armani LSF, its foundation gold in my opinion! So, when I heard Amelia Liana mention in one of her videos that these two were similar, I was waiting to get my hands on it.
In terms of texture and coverage, these two are pretty similar.. actually, I'd venture that they are almost the same. Small difference being the True Match has a SPF of 17 which doesn't make it photograph as well as the Luminous Silk.
However, my big bugbear with True Match is the fact that no, it does not actually match me. W5 is a bit too light and pink on my skin, there is no W6, and W7 (the one I have) is a bit too dark, and a fair bit pinkish also. As a result I have to mix it in with one of my lighter foundations so it matches me.
The Armani LSF as I've mentioned several times before is the perfect match for me. And so wonderfully yellow.
The Armani still wins in my opinion, but the True Match is a pretty decent alternative, provided you actually do find your 'True Match'.
The Armani LSF costs INR 3600, while the L'oreal True Match costs INR 990, I believe?

Estee Lauder Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained and Max Factor Excess Shimmer Pot in Bronze
Once again, I love my EL Chained, so much I've sung its praises in many a post. Repeatedly. Over and over.. you get the picture. When I first heard via Lily Pebbles blog that these Max Factor Excess Shimmer Pots were a dupe for it, it went onto my wishlist almost immediately. After a few months of 'umming' and 'aahing' and wondering if I really needed another cream eyeshadow - another bronze I bit the bullet and bought it.
In terms of colour, Bronze is a lot darker and more shimmery than Chained. While Chained can be a 'my lids but better' kind of shade, Bronze can really make my eyes pop. They both have their uses, but I'm leaning towards Bronze in terms of colour, because its just that little bit more dramatic.
Texture wise, they're both pretty similar. I'd like to say that Bronze is more creamy, but thats probably because my Chained is more than a year old and a bit dry at the moment.
Longevity wise, I'd say they're around the same, Chained beating it marginally because of its lack of visible shimmer, it looks a little less of a mess after about 8 hours.
If I really had to choose between them, I'd choose Bronze, but I'm glad I have both.
Chained costs INR 1800, while Bronze costs INR 800 (GBP 7.99) (I don't think the Max Factor Excess Shimmer Pots have been released in India yet, have they? If they have, I maybe buying a few more, if they haven't... keep an eye out!)

Over and out.

THAT Foundation

As you read this, I'll be in Delhi, hopefully shopping till I drop - and hopefully present me will remember to pack this with me so future me won't reread this when its published and regret not having it. Pffft. Confusing, non?
You know that foundation that everyone claims is perfect - which seems inconceivable, because nothing could really do it all. Cover everything, rids you the need for concealer, doesn't leave your face too matte that it looks like a flat surface, but doesn't make it too glowey (is there such a thing?) that you feel the need to powder? This is THAT Foundation.
Incase you haven't gathered from the picture yet, I'm talking about the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 7.5. Before I get into anything else, let me say that the colour match that this provides is unparalleled. Yellow based, but not too yellow, not too light or dark, doesn't oxidize - its just the perfect colour. While we're talking shade range, this has something like 22 shades, which in insane. .5's being a bit more yellow and whole numbers being more neutral.
In terms of longevity, this lasts ages and ages on me, even without a primer underneath. Close to 10 hours on last count. It faded a little bit at the 9 hour mark.
As far as dealing with various textures goes, it has this uncanny ability to glide over dry patches and blemishes almost as if it had a gel like texture. One pump is more than enough to cover the face and the neck. I'm not going to tell you how awesome and sleek the packaging is, because you can see that for yourself.
It doesn't have SPF which is a good thing in my opinion, and going by the price, it most definitely is an evening or "special event" base. So really, you don't want that SPF induced white cast, do you?
I would consider this medium to full coverage - just the perfect balance between enough coverage but not mask like.
It truly is THAT Foundation - its too perfect to be true, but hey ho, it is.

Do you own this? If not, you must.

P.S. Next post will show you this foundation in action. Keep your eyes peeled.