22/04/2017

Favourite Lipsticks | Summer Edition'17

Summer for me means glossy luscious lips. 
Goal- Britney's lips in the song "Oops I did it again!"
Sheer, balmy, glossy lips. I have no regrets bidding my liquid lipsticks adieu for a while. The extra drying ones I mean. I can still work with powder mattes and creamy mattes on the days I let my hair down. Glossy lips aren't cute when you have your hair stuck all over them and then you have it sliding across your cheek!

In the past 2 months, I've been leaning towards very fresh and soft colours. And I'm not bored of it anytime soon. I feel a stark color on your face kinda shade gets a lil too harsh in this hot weather. Prefer everything to be eye soothing. 
I've been shuffling between a good range from Nudes to Pinks to Oranges and also a dark shade (a very wearable one might I add).

Fave Lipsticks - Summer'17

Fave Lipsticks - Summer'17

Fave Lipsticks - Summer'17 Swatches
From Right to Left-

The Body Shop Vit E lip balm with SPF 15 - I don't know how many times I've mentioned this. My favorite lip balm ever. I'm one of those few "chosen" ones who suffers from dry and chapped lips even in summers. Sometimes it's so bad the outer rim of my upper lips burn :( Does it happen to you too?This balm actually nourishes the lips, instead of just sitting on top. Has a matte effect hence perfect under lipsticks, also does not alter the texture of the lipstick. And the SPF is a bonus ofcourse!

The swatches start from here:

Colorpop Lippie Stix in Cami - Ohh I love this shade. A perfect nude. A pink mauvy nude which suits my skintone and undertone. A comfortable matte shade.

Maybelline Color Sensational in Warm Me Up - My favourite formula. I love this range from Maybelline. I still can't get over the shade 'My Mahogany'. Anybody remember that shade? Warm Me Up is a close second since 'My mahogany' was discontinued. A pinky brown nude. Will suit every skin tone. A creamy formula.

Revlon Colouburst Lipstick in Rosy Nude - An apt name. The color is just that. A classic Nude and quite a cult Revlon product.
Do you see a pattern here? Yes I love my pinky nudes.

City Color Be Matte lipstick in Phoebe - I received this in Fab Bag. I love the texture, finish, this shade. It has a matte finish. Rich and pigmented. One swipe is all you need. This pink shade is a pleasure in this hot weather. Immediately brightens the face. A very pretty pink  color that everyone needs to have in their collection. I also have Brianda, a very similar shade to Wet n Wild Megalast lipstick in Cinnamon Spice. Fab Bag keeps having these lippies on sale on their website. Do keep a tab. These are good and worth having.

Flormar D36 - Another discovery from Fab Bag. Frankly initially\I did not like this. But I rediscovered this while cleaning my dresser. Exremely glossy and a bit sheer on one coat.Can be built up. Once the glossiness wears off, it leaves behind a stain.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in tutti Frutti - A sheer glossy balm with just the right amount of tint. I have 4 of these. But I thought of adding just this shade. But I love this range. Although I feel they're over priced.

Wet and Wild Megalast Lipstick in Cinnamon Spice - This shade is bae!! This shade will complement very skintone! Looks exceptionally pretty on Indian skin. Doesn't look too harsh but is prominent as well. A burnt red with warm brown undertones. Those who shy off of red need to try this. Or anyone who wants to try a bold color but isn't too confident and sure about which one. Pick this one! You'll love it. 

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Love,
SS




16/04/2017

"Whats in my Bag??" Summer Edition




I was cleaning up my purse the other day and thought of adding this tag to my blog. I love watching others' "What's in my bag" posts or videos. It gives a fair idea about their HG products or handbag essentials.

My Handbag essentials change season wise, so that makes this The Summer Edition. 


1) Face Mist - Kama Ayurveda Pure Rose Water is a must-have and a saviour in this hot humid weather. I have to have this in my bag at all times. It helps soothe my skin whenever I feel like I'm flushing. It keeps the sunburn and hypersensitivity at bay. 


 2) Sun Screen - During this hot weather, I tend to prefer everything light and gel based. I'm trying this Aroma Magic Aloe Vera sunscreen gel and so far so good. review coming soon.

3) Handcream/Lotion - No matter what the weather is, my hands get very dry and itchy at times. So a lotion or a handcream is a must for me. I've already reviewed Marks and Spencers handcream in Fig & Orange Oil. Cocoa Butter is a different variant but the same texture. I find this apt for summers since it does not make my hand oily and gets absorbed into the skin almost immediately. I can start using my laptop/mobile immediately after using this. I don't need to wait for it to dry. Won't be enough for winters though...but for Summers, this is perfect.



4) Lip products - I'll be honest, I cleaned up 4 more lipsticks from my purse but these 3 are, ideally, what I intend to keep in my handbag. The Body Shop Vit E Lip balm, with SPF 15. The best one I've used. Revlon Lip butter in Tutti Frutti. It's a buildable but glossy sheer orange colour. Another is Cami from Colourpop. It's a matte Nude shade which I don't need to give a thought before applying.

5) Atomizer - I usually fill this with my favourite perfume. Such an easy and cute thing to carry around. Presently it contains Eternity By Calvin Klein. 

6) Notebook - To pen down my thoughts whenever, wherever.


7) Mints and candies - These are my current faves! Have you tried Kopiko?? You have to try it if you're a coffee lover.

8) Kara Face Wipes - I'm loving this variant at the moment. It has Aloe Vera and Mint Oil. The Mint Oil in it is so refreshing after a hot day outside. It also cleans out any dirt just by itself hence quite effective.

9) Wallet and Gold card Holder from Accessorize.
10) Headphones and Charger. 
11) Sunglasses
12) I-pod Shuffle (Not included in the pic)

These are my must-have Hand Bag essentials. Share yours in the comments below...I'd love to know!!  

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Love,
SS





13/04/2017

My top 3 Eye Pencils | For Oily lids


Hey there! If you've been with me a while, you'll already know, I have small hooded lids and extremely oily lids, which let me tell you is the worst combination EVER!

Most of the liners smudge on me in flat 2 hours. Let's not even talk ask about summers. I prefer skipping kohl/liner altogether during summers for that reason. After testing boat loads of eyeliners I finally have my favourite Top 3! 
Eye pecils - Essence, Plum, Rimmel

Eye pecils - Plum, Essence, Rimmel

.

Plum NaturStudio All Day Wear Kohl  Price: Rs.425/- 1.2 gm
Look of a gel liner in a pencil form. It claims to be Smudgeproof, Waterproof and Preservative free.
1)      Blackest black in one stroke.
2)      Preservative-free, paraben-free, mineral oil-free, paraffin-free
3)      Dermatologically  and ophthalmologically tested & approved. Does not hurt my sensitive eyes.
4)      Rich in Vitamin E for care and protection
5)      100% vegan formula, not tested on animals
6)      Ingredients -Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rice Bran Wax, Natural Vitamin E
7)      The expiry date is mentioned on the pencil itself.
8)      Quantity is quite a lot in comparison to other pencils in the market hence justifies the price.

Issues –
1)      Needs to be sharpened.

Essence Gel Waterproof Liner  Price: Rs. 299/-      0.57g
 It’s been almost 6 months that I discovered this beauty. This is the only product I have used from this brand. However I need to get more from this brand since I’ve heard rave reviews. I am already on my second pencil  [black]and I also bought a brown shade.  

1)      Very pigmented.
2)      Soft and does not tug at the eyes since it’s a gel formula in pencil form.
3)      Stays put on my waterline all day with minimum smudging under the eyes. It starts smudging only after 9-10 hours during summers.
4)      Retractable mechanical pencil. No fuss no wastage.

Issues -
1)        Re-application is not ideal. It sets very fast and any re-application removes the colour already set.  

Eye pecils - Essence, Plum, Rimmel


Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer - Price: Rs.345/-   0.28 gm
1) Retractable liner on one side and a smudger on the other.
2) An even finish and smooth in one stroke. Not as dark as above 2 but dark enough.
3) Love using this to create an easy smokey eyes.
4) Once set, stays in put.

Issues- 
1) No particulars/ingredients mentioned.

Eye pecils - Essence, Plum, Rimmel 

I love the Plum natur kohl since it is great for my sensitive eyes minus all the chemicals, however I mostly always reach for Essence or Rimmel ‘coz I’m always running late for work and never have time to sharpen eye pencils #lazygirlwoes  Again none of the liquid liners stay on my lids. [The only one that did, got discontinued L Maybelline’s HyperSharp Liner] Also pencils are easier to draw with.
    

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One complaint I have with these  pencils is I can’t draw a thin line or a cat-eye with this. The nib remains too blunt [Still on the find for a good liquid/ felt tip liner]. Any suggestions guys???

Love,

SS

01/04/2017

The Face Shop - Real Nature Sheet Masks

Price: Rs.100/- for each mask

Korean beauty products have taken over the beauty world up in storm. God bless Nykaa for introducing some of these Korean products like The Face Shop and Innisfree to us who don't have easy access to Sephora.

Nykaa has been upping it's game day by day. The offers Nykaa provides are irresistible at times. One such was when I found The Face Shop Masks on 'Buy 5 Get 5' offer. I had to get them! 

The one's I got are the Real Nature Masks
Shea Butter, Aloe, Cucumber, Pomegranate, Olive, Lotus, Lily. 

Out of these, I have used Aloe and Shea. I also made my husband use the Lily one :D

Honestly, Sheet masks are more of a luxury product, really. Donot expect it to work on a particular skin issue. The effect lasts for a few hours or at the max a day.

It instructs to cleanse and tone your face and then apply the sheet mask.
However, it's said, donot keep the sheet mask more than 20 minutes on your face,'coz the mask then starts absorbing back the moisture. And you don't want that! The serum is quite light and watery. One does not need to wash it off later. You can just massage it well in your skin. I like to take the extra leftover serum in the packet and use it on my neck, collorbone area and hands. 
Nonetheless, sheets masks are very rejuvenating. Especially after a day out in this hot Indian summer. [May is the new March they say...and it sure feels like it.] Sheet masks feel like a boon!

Especially, if you suffer from very irritated and sensitive skin, where the sun causes red patches and little bumbs on your face/skin. A sheet mask after a tired day out is the best thing ever. It helps cool the face and put in all the moisture right back.

I make sure to use a sheet whenever I've had a long day out in the sun. It helps cool my skin and soothe any sun burns. The immediate effect is really great. I feel amazing right after the mask also my face seems more plump and well nourished.





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Love,
SS