Current Favorites

I feel like I haven't done one of these posts in agessssss. Well, it's been a year and a half, which qualifies as ages right? Right.
I find myself trying stepping out of the minimalist avatar I was portraying for the last year or so lately. I want more complicated eye looks and more dewy skin. I've also been on the hunt for more affordable options to my high end favorites. These three are all those things, including being travel friendly, something I've found myself doing a lot offlate and needing. Oh, while on the topic of travelling, could someone link me to a nice/pretty/cute makeup bag? I have this ugly bag I'm sure was meant for stationary and I really want a new one.
But coming back to the products in question - these are on here because I love them so much, but also because they're super slim and easy to carry around.

The Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette
I've already reviewed this here (incase you're interested) and I can't say enough good things... It's my favourite eyeshadow palette, probably of all time. It has the perfect set of mattes, shimmers and frosty earth tone colours that are perfectly neutral and still interesting. There isn't a single day when I sit down and do my makeup and not reach for it. I've taken it with me on 2-3 trips so far and not once thought I needed something else. It costs about INR2300 approx, and if you don't have it, I'd say go out and buy it today, you will not regret it.

Revlon PhotoReady Skin Lights in Bare Light
This is subtle glow in a tube. More often than not, I bang on about wanting glowing, youthful skin which looks like I sleep loads, drink plenty of water and eat a mighty healthy diet (while I try, it ain't possible, you and I both know, but susssh). But this product does that with my skin. I look for want of a better word.. healthy. It has micro shimmer running through it that reflects the light perfectly, helping it bounce of your face, but not once does it look like you have shimmer.. nope, just healthy, happy skin.

L'oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation
...I love using this over the SkinLights, they really are a match made in heaven. Now, you'll rarely ever see me wanting anything matte, if you've been around here a while. Other than eyeshadow and the sides of my nose, I do not want anything matte on my face. But the reviews of this intrigued me, even my favourite dry skinned bloggers and Youtubers were raving about it. Naturally, I had to try it. I got mine from Amazon India, and by god. This is almost an exact dupe to my Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk, down to the colour.. and my lord I love it. (Does anyone want a comparison post?) It's matte, but not flat and goes on really smooth. It is very rapidly making its way to being my favourite foundation (currently NARS Sheer Glow).

So, there you go.. my current obsessions, what are yours?

Favorite MAC Eyeshadows

Hello there, welcome to the newly redone Colliding Interests, what do you think? I'm still working out a lot of the quirks, but it should be fully sorted out really soon!
So if it isn't already evident from my blog in general, I really do love my eyeshadows. I've said it several times before that MAC as a brand introduced me to makeup, particularly eyeshadows. I can safely say I've owned a fair share of shadows from them, but these would the five I would repurchase without a second thought till the end of time.. yep. Its serious business.

Sable
This is the newest addition to my favorite MAC Eyeshadows, and you just can't go wrong with it. I posted about it here. But for the sake of this post, let me repeat myself - MAC describes it as a gold-plum with bronze pearl in a Velvet finish. It comes across more pinky plum with a golden sheen on me which is perfect. It goes everything... its my 'I woke up like dis' eyeshadow.

Bronze
Described as a gold brown with a gold-bronze shimmer and a Frost finish. This has got to be all time favorite go-to eyeshadow, I love it so much this is my second pan of this stuff - yep, its just that good! It makes a brilliant lid colour - that sultry bronze goddess kinda' lid, but it also makes an excellent outer half - depth inducing colour. Basically, its frekkin' perfect.

Texture
Though MAC claims its a peachy-brown with shimmer in a Velvet finish, you see no shimmer on the lid. I've said it before and I will say it again, it is the best colour to blend out pretty much any lid colour - blue? Works. Green? Works. Bronzes? Works. Anything? It works. Its a great staple that everyone needs to own.

Amber Lights
Amber lights is an orangey gold colour with a bit of bronze sheen and a Frost finish. The MAC website describes it as a "peachy brown with shimmer" same as texture, which confused me a bit. But we'll just ignore that.
Its the kind of eyeshadow that instantly brightens any look and makes your eyes scream 'look at me'. I love using this with a bit of teal eyeliner, it just makes your eyes stand out like no other.
I'm not the biggest fan of sheeny shadows, but this one makes me want to try foiled shadows - because thats exactly how it looks!

Woodwinked
So, I left the best for last... the gold everybody needs to own. Described as antique warm gold in a Veluxe Pearl finish. Its a beautiful sheeny eyeshadow that makes a brilliant inner corner highlight.. Tan skin, this shadow, some mascara and BAM you're sorted.

As you can see, my love affair with MAC continues.. What are your favorites?

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?

August Favorites '13

I can't even begin to understand why this year is on fast-forward. C'mon Universe, whats going on?

I've been LOVING the very natural barely-there make up, so these are my top picks for the month!

MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5

Talked about my love for it here. And I'm not sure what to add to that except you need to try it to believe it. 

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque

This will be my third one. It eliminates dark circles, blends into the skin and stays put even after getting soaked and walking in pouring rain for 15 odd minutes (true story). 

NARS Cordura Duo

Okay, I think I've mentioned this waaaay too many times already, but its just the PERFECT everyday duo. Its just a few shades darker than my skintone, and the darker colour is perfect for a subtle smokey eye and a little crease definition. My love affair with NARS continues...

Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige and Bad Girl Bonze

As far as drugstore products go, I really feel Rimmel's been kicking it out of the park. I don't need to introduce you to the chubby stick/crayon universe. But these bad boys from rimmel are affordable and gorgeously pigmented. They make for great bases as well as just an all over lid colour when you're in a hurry. FYI, I got these on ASOS, on sale. I'm going to try to get my hands on their shadow paints next.

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick

Like I said.. barely there. Velvet Teddy is a retro matte lipstick, described as a "deep tone beige" its the most perfect nude for darker-warmer complexions. Seen here.

Real Technique Setting Brush

A multi-tasker. It fits perfectly under the eye to set your concealer/corrector. It also works wonderfully if you want to blend out your eyeshadows. 

Real Technique Deluxe Crease Brush

I use this only with my BB Corrector. I can't even... 

It places concealer in all the right places and blends it out so effortlessly. Le sigh.

The Body Shop Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue

Let me just take a minute here and tell you, this stuff smells amazing. Like spearmint only better. And its just one of those smells that linger. *takes another whiff*

I have very oily skin, with dry extremities. Nose, fingers, toes. This stuff really helps with my dry toes and fingers. Its also really good for elbows and knees.

Only thing you need to be careful of is that its so intense, its greasy. Don't wear ballet flats after putting this on, or walk barefoot, or move in general. (my behind will never be the same after the fall this caused me)

And thats a wrap!

What were your favorites?

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? 

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?