NEW IN! Strawberrynet + Repurchases

I feel like it's been ages since I bought myself any makeup, because really, it has! I've been buying stuff for my kit - which ofcourse I get to try out, but it's not really mine, y'know? Having said that, I did a bit of makeup shopping recently...
... One fine day, I woke wanting to try some new products. Since I was in the market for a new bronzer, I looked around the usual sites that ship to India.. Beautybay, Luxola etc. By chance I popped onto strawberrynet, when they were having a 30% off sale, and I picked up these gems.
The Bare Minerals Bronzer in The Deep End because Aditi claims she likes it more than NARS Casino (my favorite)... theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer - I've heard too many people rave about this, and for INR 1400, I just HAD to try it.
Lastly, a new primer... I hadn't heard too many reviews about the Bare Minerals Prime Time Brightening Primer, so I thought I would give it a go... because glow + me = win. It also happened to be priced at INR 1200. Can't go wrong with that, can I? Ofcourse, reviews of all of this coming soon!

As for the repurchases ... Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach and MAC Prolongwear Concealer in NC42 as I use those two every day!

Have you bought anything new lately?

NEW IN! The Zoeva Brush Edition

So, I finally gave in and got myself some Zoeva Brushes... for 'the kit' ofcourse - because I really need more excuses to buy makeup.
They took about 9 days to get to me, mostly because I wasn't home the first time they tried to deliver them. I finally got my hands on them the day before, and I have to say it was love at first glance.
I bought the Complete Set which comes with a wide variety of brushes for the face and eyes, all packed in a sleek looking black pouch with really cute bright pink lining.
The 15 brushes consist of -

• 102 Silk Finish
• 104 Buffer
• 106 Powder
• 110 Face Shape
• 128 Cream Cheek
• 142 Concealer Buffer
• 227 Soft Definer
• 228 Crease
• 223 Petit Eye Blender
• 231 Petit Crease
• 234 Smoky Shader
• 235 Contour Shader
• 317 Wing Liner

I also got the 109 Face Paint Brush for contouring. 

Every single brush is so soft and incredible quality - really impressed with these at first sight/use. Though I haven't washed them or used them enough to review, my first impression is nothing but positive! Keep your eyes peeled for a favorites/review post!

Have you tried these? What are your thoughts?

NEW IN! The Boots Edition

Obviously, I could not have been here for more than 10 days now and not have gone into Boots and picked up a few things. So a mini haul for you lovely folks.

Lets start of with the one I'm most excited about the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 55 which has replaced my trusty Happy Light that I had to leave behind. And you know what? I like it MORE. Its more coverage, but since its gel based it goes on better and stays put forever - not that I have a problem with products staying on here, I mean, its cold all the time. 

Next up, was a new Mascara I needed and the Revlon Bold Lacquer Waterproof Mascara looked much to pretty to pass up. On first try, I did not like this, but now that its dried up a bit, its pretty darn great. Its insanely lengthening and does a great job of separating, which I love or day to day. Also, I got rained on when I was wearing this - did. not. budge.

The Rimmel Brow This Way Styling Gel is supposed to be a great dupe for the Benefit Gimme Brow, but since they didn't have my colour in stock, I chose the clear version, which is very.. meh. It doesn't really hold my eyebrow hair up, and its a bit wet for my liking, but you never know, time will tell. 

Finally, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge which I've wanted since it came out. I haven't really played around with it much, but I will tell you this - it makes the face looks flawless, even if it does take a while... review on this soon! 

So what do you think of my picks?

Makeup Swap with Aditi of BGMM!

So Aditi is someone I know through my blog and hers. What began as just comments, eventually turned into conversations. Over the last few months, I think our shared love for makeup has made us very good friends - you need someone you can talk products with all the time, y'know?
Incase you haven't read her blog - head over there as soon as you read this! I love her sense of humour and the general wit that runs through her blog.
Since she lives in the US, and I live here - I think we both focused on getting eachother things we won't otherwise have access too. You can tell she knows me by the matte formulas and the bright colours, heh.

Now, you can see she has been MORE than generous with what she has got me.. I mean look at it -  I needed to take two pictures for you to see everything!  Everything was sweetly wrapped in wrapping paper in bubble wrap, I'm sorry I didn't take any pictures of it, I was too excited to bother.
So I'll quickly run through everything she sent me:

1. Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette (HELLO BLOGGER FAVORITE!) 
2. Wet n Wild Silent Treatment Trio (There's a Satin Taupe lookalike in there that I need to try!)
3. Wet n Wild Mellow Wine Blush 
4. Milani Baked Matte Blush in Bella Rosa (I've been stalking websites for this - aahh thank you!)
5. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Mini in Memorable 
6. Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mini Mascara
7. Maybelline Vivid Lipsticks in Shocking Coral and Wild Rose (SO EXCITED!!)
8. L.A Girl Glazed Lip Paints in a Pin Up and Blushing. (Blushing is the bomb.com)
9. Milani Lip Intense Liquid Colour in Pink Rave
10. Wet n Wild Lipsticks in Don't Blink Pink, Cherry Bomb and Mauve Outta Here (cutest names ever? Yep!)
11. Jordana Easy Liner for Lips in Sedona Red and Rock N' Rose.

Seriously though, this is beyond amazing and I cannot wait to start using these products! The Maybelline Vivids are just beyond gorgeous.
Thank you SO MUCH Aditi! This is a pretty epic haul! I really hope you enjoyed my package as much as I loved yours! 

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*. 

NEW IN - MAC Stuff + 100th Post!

Let me just start off by saying this - 100 posts? That is ridiculous! I started this blog just under a year ago as a makeup dairy of sorts. I intended to record my favorite makeup looks, products I've been loving - and more importantly to see how I can grow, be it in my writing, my makeup and even my photography. During the course of this blog, I switched careers, have been working as a freelance makeup artist and stylist, and I'll be soon moving countries to formally learn Special Effects Makeup. Its so remarkable how one year can change so much.
As for my blog, I am nowhere near where I thought I would be, one year from when I started. I thought I'd have gained atleast 50-75 followers etc, but you know what? It doesn't matter at all. I've made a couple of really good friends I feel, and since I don't believe in publicizing my blog on social media (my friends on Facebook really don't care about my newest foundation love) and more in organic growing, this is doing pretty decent, I think.
What I mean to say is - thank you guys, for commenting and discussing makeup with me and helping along my addiction. It means the world to me that I can be a (small) part of this community :)

I thought it was only fitting that my 100th post is related to the Brand that got me interested in Makeup in the first place. Ah, MAC.
I think I've mentioned before that I wanted to recreate my 15 palette, so I've begun again. However, this time around, every shadow bought will have a use, and it won't be just 14 shimmery bronzey golds and 1 matte. Its going to be well thought out - with Crease colours, transition colours and a vast range of lid colours. Since I don't ever buy premade palettes, this is going to be my do-it-all palette.
I got my dad to buy me the Pro Palette Large, and the 15 Eyeshadow Insert from Amsterdam. Its cheaper there. I also got my dad to get me the MAC 224 Brush from the duty free. Once again, slightly cheaper there than here. I've been eyeing (hah) this brush for a while now, because one can never have too many blending brushes, oui? Also added to the palette recently are MAC Texture (a gorgeous muted orangey brown - great transition colour) MAC Brown Down (Perfect for eyebrows and the outer V) and MAC Antiqued which I've been wanting for literally years.

Any suggestions?

NEW IN! Makeup Geek Eyeshadows!

 

I know, I know, I've been buying a LOT of stuff offlate - but blame the fact that I'm finally earning my money and not depending on my parents for my beauty indulgence.
I've been contemplating buying Makeup Geek eyeshadows/pigments for well over three months, but once I saw Parita's order and then Ki placed hers, I knew the Universe was sending me the green signal.
This post won't have swatches or reviews, but more of a first impression/ show and tell kinda' post. I will be featuring these eyeshadows in future eyelooks etc. So stay tuned.
Now, I got 9 shadows plus a Z palette! The ones I got are (according to picture)
Mocha - Deep matte brown
Cocoa Bear - Matte reddish brown
Creme Brule - A medium sand colour with a soft matte finish. (this is such a brilliant all over lid colour)
Burlesque - Deep Metallic Burgandy
Sensuous - Shimmery Purple with flecks of silver (this pulls an almost duochrome purple-gold on me)
Pretentious - Metallic Bronze
Corrupt - Intense matte black with slight sparkle
Galaxy - Mettalic Gunmetal
Vanilla Bean - the site doesn't have a description, but I'd say its a warm cream colour with a slight sheen

A few facts for you - Firstly, Makeup Geek shadows are cruelty free and they have vegan shadows, for those in need of it. Each pan is ever so slightly bigger than the MAC shadow pans, but they fit into the palettes. The pans cost $5.99 each and contain 1.8grams of product as opposed to MAC's $10 each and contains 1.5grams of product. (you do the math)
Not only do these have more product in them, but they're cheaper and quality wise equally good, if not better.
Mocha, Cocoa Bear, Creme Brule, Corrupt (almost) and Vanilla Bean are matte shades and are buttery soft and beautiful. I don't have too many matte shadows, which is odd considering its one of my favorite eyeshadow finishes. The others are shimmery and a little out of my comfort zone. I don't usually venture out from my warm bronzes/golds and the occasional red brown, but these colours are still wearable without being too.. jhatang. Of the bunch, I feel Burlesque comes across a little too pink on me, but nothing that I can't work with - I'll probably layer it.

So these are my new MUG Shadows. After this I'm on a self-imposed Makeup buying ban. (HAH, lets see how long that lasts)
Over and out.

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? :)

NEW IN - The Holiday 2013 Edition

So, as is obvious from the Title, I went on holiday with my family to Hong Kong recently (just got back today). It was a really fun trip, with lots of walking, eating and shopping! The place did not disappoint, and I'm going to have some serious trouble stomaching "indian" chinese.
I had this huge list of products I wanted to try, but alas, they darkest shade they had was often too light for me. But I did get to see brands I had only otherwise read about in person, like Aesop, Origins, Philosophy, Laura Mercier, Shu Emura, Diptique, Jo Malone and so many many more.
Anyway, enough jabber and onto what I bought.

• Bioderma for Oily/Combination skin. Now, I have the original, but since I hadn't tried this.. I thought I might as well take the plunge. Especially since it was a discounted price. 
• Armani Si Eau da Parfum, okay, I wanted Vera Wang Princess, but since it wasn't available in the Duty Free, I saw this and it was love at first whiff. Oh dear, I do have expensive taste. 
• Makeup Forever HD Primer in 6. I went there hoping to find the Clinique Superprimers, which hasn't released yet.. so when it came down to a choice between Porefessional and the MUFE HD, mufe went straight into my shopping cart. 
• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 7.5. I'm an avid reader and watcher of both Vivianna (VDM) and Liana, both of whom have convinced me I need certain products, without which my life would be incomplete. LSF was one such thing. I was lucky that 7.5 suited me because that's the darkest shade they had in HK. Worth the hype? Only time will tell.
• Makeup Forever Full Cover Concealer in 10. Another VDM influenced purchase - originally on the list with Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer and NARS Creamy Concealer - but as there was no shade for me, they didn't make the cut. 
• Shu Emura Lash Curlers - self explanatory. The best in the bizz, 'nuff said.
• Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask, I recently found out that I had dehydrated - oily skin, it produces excess oil due to the face its so dry, so this is my attempt at adding more moisture into my skin. I will report back on this one. And the rest. 

So these were my purchases (I may have bought a few - few things at HnM, shuusssh). What do you think? Have you bought anything lately? 

NEW IN - August Edition

So in the last month, as you can see, I got some stuff.
My bestfriend/sister/soulmate got me some NARS stuff I've been wanting from Singapore. :)
Also, while my father was in Europe this month, I asked him to pick up a few things for my mom and I. So this is my loot!

Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in Fuller Fudge
Le Blush Creme De Chanel in (62) Presage
Inglot Matte Eyeshadow in 357
NARS Casino Bronzer (repurchase)
NARS Cordura Eyeshadow Duo

This is a collective of the month, I've been using the NARS and Inglot products for well over 2 weeks now. The blush and shadow tint I got today, which FINALLY allowed me to do this post.
(I maaaay be a tiny bit sneaky and get the Estee Lauder Stay on Shadow Paint in Chained too, pretty soon, as my dad was supposed to get it for me, but it was out of stock everywhere. Hopefully I find it here!)

What did you get this month?

NEW IN!

I'm always nervous about the word "haul", because it seems to get waaay too much negative attention. 

SO, "Look what I got" seemed appropriate. 

I like this whole Friday First concept, because it sort of allows me to talk about something I haven't tried before, well, you get the picture.

Anyway, since I haven't really done a proper "haul" post, well, ever. Here goes!

White Lace Dress - Chemistry (First time I'm actually buying something from that store by myself, I usually hate it)

Body Shop Body Butter in Strawberry. Ugh, the weather in my usually lovely humid city has been really odd lately, the sea breeze hasn't been coming in till later in the nights, so the days are dry. And my usually oily skin which is used to humidity has been really dry, hence I got the body butter instead of the Body Puree I usually get.

Body Shop Peppermint Intense Foot Rescue - Oily skin, but dry fingers and toes (yes, epitome of weird is I). This is a first time purchase for me. Thoughts coming soon.

Inglot Nail Enamel in XL3, a gorgeous glittery shade. NOTD coming soon.

MAC Face and Body Foundation in C5 - Long Story short, I've been reading non stop rave reviews, and I've really been liking the lighter foundations recently, and since its water based like my Chanel Vita Lumier Aqua, which I LOVE, I thought, while its there, go for it.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC 43.5 - I needed a new powder, since I finished up my Prep + Prime setting powder as well as my Body Shop one. I've read that this is BRILLIANT for oily skin. Only time will tell.

I'm so excited for everything I got - totally worth the wait to get everything I wanted.
Did you get anything recently?