21/02/2017

Self Update 101 #Turning30



Why is the idea of turning 30 so scary? I don't understand what's the big deal. Really. Especially for women mind you. I just turned 30 and yes it did feel weird and different....but in a good way. Jut like when I turned 16. Or 21.

Growing up. A new phase of life. A new decade. It's the 'not knowing what'll happen in this decade' Or 'I'm an actual adult now' kinda weird feeling. But it is exciting too. 'Coz unlike the 18 year old me, I am no more awkward. I don't feel old but a lot more confident.

I remember the worst thing about being a teenager or a "young adult" as they say, was not knowing how I'll turn out. Or what my future holds for me.
But at 30, I have a job, married to an adorable man, have an even more adorable baby.
I truely believe being 30 is the strongest and the most capable I'll ever be in my life. I can't figure why should my age pull me back? I am not awkward or scared about my life or the decisions I might have to take anymore. 
I am wiser, more worldly and independent.
A few fine lines aren't bringing me down. I consider them my laugh lines and each one shall make me wiser and stronger than I was yesterday.

I'm the oldest I've ever been and the youngest I'll ever be. I have no regrets in life and I'll make sure that's how it'll be.
 


20/02/2017

The Body Shop Lip Butter

I remember when I got introduced to this brand, the first product I heard about were lip butters and the lip duos. However, after years of using The Body Shop products, only last week while browsing through their store at Acropolis, Kolkata; I realized I still hadn't tried their oh-so-famous lip butter. Taking advantage of their "Falling for you" sale, I immediately bought the lip butter. They only had it in Shea [I assume by the sign on the cap, however, it isn't mentioned anywhere]. Does it come in only one variant? Let me know if there are others?

This makes a set to the Vanilla Bliss lip balm I had bought 2 years back [It has shimmers!] I really liked it but it was a holiday edition. I never found it again.

I bought this for Rs. 250/- [10ml]


The Body Shop Lip Butter
The Body Shop Lip Butter
The Body Shop Lip Butter

I really like this product. It feels very soothing on my super dry and chapped lips. Unlike most lip balms, this does not sit on my lips. After 5 mins, my dry lips literally soaks in the butter and it feels really moisturized. 
The main ingredient is Hydrogenated Castor Oil. Free from parabens.
It even tastes kinda sweet :P 

I'm not sure whether it'll melt in hotter days, being a butter. That's yet to be seen. The butter being in a tub form seems to be the only con. Not the most hygienic. But if I judge correctly, the texture does change according to the weather hence a tube or a stick form wouldn't work.

The size is tiny and very handy. It fits well into my handbag. And I love having it all the time. For emergency cases, it's an  easy cure for dry hands or any dry patches anywhere.  

If you're wondering whether it's better than lip balms? Then yes, it works better than MOST lip balms [except one]. Light and creamy in texture and more moisturizing
Although, I prefer The Body Shop Vit E lip balm with spf 15 over this. If I take Vit E lip balm out of the picture, I'd pick this lip butter over every other lip balms.

Well worth it's value. Not too costly and it actually works.
Another 'The Body Shop' product that surely impressed me.

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Have you used this? What do you think of lip butters? Or would you rather prefer a lip balm? If so, which one?

09/02/2017

COLOURPOP HAUL!! Lippie Stix Swatches


Finally! 
I’ve been wanting to get my hands on these for sooo long...
  
Albeit, some instagram stores sell colourpop here in India, and I 'almost' gave into the urge to pay that extra; thinking I'll anyways have to pay customs.

And then Voila!! Colourpop starts shipping to India!!
And my birthday was coming up :) I usually never buy myself Bday gifts, I find that kinda lame. But since I was #turning30 I felt like treating myself for getting so far and handling life way better than I anticipated. 
[Who am i kidding? I really needed an excuse!]




I ordered the package on 20th Nov’2016 and I received it around 10th Jan’17. Quite a long while, which had me worried since everyone else claimed to receive theirs within 10-15 days. But nonetheless, I received them safe and sound (except one, but it can still be used.) Another bonus was, I didnot have to pay customs. Yeah for that! 

 For the actual order, since I was trying out Colourpop for the first time, I really wanted the Lippie Stix.‘Coz that’s the kind of formula that works for me and I already knew I'd love them.
The packaging is very sleek. All white with silver holographic script. It is smaller in length than I expected. But the thin slanted bullet actually makes the application very easy. The base is colour co-ordinated which makes it very easy to pick the desired shade. There are 2 types of finish in Lippie Stix:
Lippie Stix Matte -These are not absolute matte. More like a creamy matte with a slight sheen to it. Very comfortable to wear. The colour stays on for 5-6 hours on me. Not transfer proof. Does not leave a stain. After a while, the colour wears off uniformly.
  Lippie Stix Matte X - A complete matte formula. No sheen or shine. But comfortable to wear. Does not tug at the lips. You can see the difference between the two formula in the pictures below. This also stays on me for 5-6 hours. However these are not transfer proof either.

Price- 5$ (approx Rs.334/-) Each

 

Cami: [MatteX] This shows up dusty pink on me. Lovely muted nude-y rose which'll suit most skin tones. This shade some how looks different on everyone.

Backup- [MatteX] This was the first shade I put in my cart. In case I didn't mentioned before, I love purple toned lippies. I knew I had to get this and I love it!! 
Lumiere[Matte] Similar to Cami. Only more cool toned with a slight sheen. Another shade you can just put on without thinking too much. It'll mostly go with all makeup looks and skin tones.


STAYCATION Matte Lipie Kit (Cookie, Brink, Grunge, LBB, I Heart This, Bossy) 
Price- 25$ (approx Rs.1668/-)



COOKIE- This alone looks too light on me and washes me out. But I plan to use it over other lip shades It'll be amazing to use on the middle to highlight the lips.

BRINK- Love this shade! It's a warm toned peachy everyday nude. Already a constant in my bag.

GRUNGE- Chocolate brown. I'm loving brown shades currently.

LBB- A deep plum. I didn't have a shade like this before. But this shade goes on a bit patchy :(
I HEART THIS- It's a real pretty true pink shade. This one is broken from the base :|
BOSSY- A warm orange toned red.

New Users get a 5$ discount coupon. Also the Value kits have 6 Lippie Stix for the value of 5. So I got 2 Lippie Stix free :)

Next I wanna try the eyebrow pencils and blush (Between the sheets...Sighhh) !!

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Have you tried Colourpop products? Which one did you like out of my haul??

Love,
SS





01/02/2017

Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick in Plum Yum Swatch and Review


A fair warning, I personally am not a fan of liquid lipsticks. I have super dry and chapped lips. So extreme that they bleed and actually hurt! It's kinda gross. Moreover I don't like the lines showing up on my lips which usually happens with liquid lipsticks. Not a cute look. And then it goes all crumbly after few hours. So the situation gets like, I can't re-apply on it 'coz it just gets gross-ier. Frankly I can't take the pain to carry a makeup remover wherever I go in case I need to re-apply it. As a result, I usually avoid wearing liquid lipstick when I know I'll be out for long (which negates the entire claim about liquid lippies)

Sugar Cosmetics has come out with another range this new year. Ofcourse it HAS to be a liquid lipstick. This range has 10 shades. I love the Matte as Hell Crayon Lipsticks and It's a-pout time vivid lipsticks. So obviously I had to try the liquid lipstick to see if they could keep up to their own standards! *not becoz I'm a hopeless shopaholic ofcourse!*

Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipsticks - Plum Yum

Price: Rs.499/-

I am quite impressed that they have priced this range quite reasonably. However I am kinda upset with the packaging. These look exactly like Maybelline's Color Sensational Velvet matte lipsticks. Got to say the Maybelline ones are far more sturdier.

This feels very light and plastic-ky in hand. I find the applicator very wobbly. The sponge is soft enough and does not poke the lips or anything but it's very bendy. It has a round bottom (unlike many wands) which I'm guessing holds the excess product and hence keeps the wand clean, also saves wastage of the product. Let's see if I'm right about that.

These are NOT silicone or paraben free, if you're particular about that.

Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipsticks - Plum Yum
Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipsticks - Plum Yum

Now coming to main part. The product is sweet smelling. Not chemical-y thankfully, which lots of liquid lippies tend to have.

The actual product looks nothing like in the tube when applied on the lips or even on the hand.
Just one dip was enough for, my entire lips and the desired pigmentation. I did not have to dip the wand twice. Do you see the lip swatch below? That's just one layer of product.
 It dried completely matte very quickly and once dried, it literally is smudge proof. 

Smudge Proof, Transferproof, Waterproof. Fades just a little after having an oily meal. 

The product is sooo light on the lips. Half the time I forget I have this on. I had this on for almost 7-8 hours. By the end of 6-7 hours, it started fading. I took it off 'coz I was done for the day. But it would've easily lasted for another hour at the least. 
Best of all, even after 8 hours, it did not completely dry my lips or give that gross stretchy feeling. Nor did it crumble. My lips were comfortable and I could do without a lip balm.
Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipsticks - Plum Yum swatch
Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipsticks - Plum Yum lip swatch
Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipsticks - Plum Yum lip swatch



Sugar Cosmetics Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipsticks - Plum Yum Time test

Please excuse the blurred not so great quality pic above, since these were taken in not so appropriate lighting. But just to give you an idea about the pigmentation and stay. I wore the lipstick at 2:00pm and washed it off at 10:00pm. Between which I had oily meals, snacks, loads of water and also kissed my baby say a million times. And I did not re-touch it.

The shade Plum Yum, I feel is so versatile. It'll look great on every skin tone. And will go with everything.

 I really want to try the shade 'Tan fan' and 'Rust Lust' too..oooh! and 'Brazen Raisin'!

These lippies are LOVE! Maybe they've cut on the packaging cost to provide a better quality product. If so, I'm all for it. The quality of these can give some of the best liquid lipsticks a run for their money and that includes the high end ones too.

Definitely give these a try. Sugar Cosmetics never seem to let down. More power to Indian brands!!

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Love,
SS