Sugar Cosmetics Contour De Force Palettes/Minis Review, Swatches + Giveaway
Hi guys,
Sugar Cosmetics is back with yet another launch, this time they have launched face palettes. It’s called Contour De Force Palette and has a bronzer, blush and a highlighter.
GET DISCOUNT USING ‘BTXSUGAR’ on https://in.sugarcosmetics.com
Palette 01 is called Subtle Summit and Palette 02 is called Vivid Victory, each of the shades in these palettes are sold individually too as minis i.e. mini bronzer/mini blush and mini highlight. (Buy HERE)
The quantity is the same i.e. 4g in both, palettes cost Rs.799/- and minis cost Rs.299/-. So palettes are more economical, also more travel friendly.
They have a cardboard packaging and it’s not super sturdy but won’t bend or break that easily too. The palettes come with a mirror.
The palette 01 has Blush 01 Peach Pink, Bronzer 01 Taupe Topper and highlighter 01 Champagne Champion.
01 Subtle Summit
Peach pink is a soft, peachy pink blush, Taupe Topper is a cool toned bronzer with gray undertone and the highlighter Champagne Champion is a muted champagne gold.
01 Subtle Summit
The Taupe Topper bronzer is more of a contouring powder than a bronzer and works really well. I loved it. The blush is very muted and would need layering to show up, more suitable for fair skin tones. The highlight is also very subtle and muted, it gives a soft glow suitable for day time, but it’s not like one of those blinding highlights. I personally prefer a stronger highlight though.
02 Vivid Victory
The palette 02 has Blush 02 Pink Pinnacle, Bronzer 02 Woody Wonder and highlighter 02 Gold Glory.
Pink Pinnacle is a deep rose shade, Woody Wonder is a warm brown bronzer (this is more of a bronzer) and Gold Glory is a muted golden bronze.
02 Vivid Victory
The blush is very pretty and would work for all skin tones, bronzer is quite light and would only show up on fair skin tones and the highlight is again subtle and muted, would work for all especially deeper skin tones.
I feel they should have interchanged the bronzer in both the palettes and then palette 01 would be perfect for fair skin tones and 02 for deeper skin tones.
I like the bronzer 01, blush 02 and highlighters both, but 02 more. The texture is really smooth and the powders are very finely milled. These palettes are perfect for day time use and travel, both the highlighters are very subtle and muted, if that’s what you prefer in highlighters.
I do like and recommend the new Sugar Cosmetics face palette, the combination is again an off for me, just like I mentioned in the eye shadow quads HERE.
I am giving away the minis on my Youtube channel, the video embedded below, join 🙂
What do you think about the new Sugar Palettes? Have you tried them?
Faces Ultime Pro Face Palette Fresh, Glow Review & Swatches
Hi guys,
Faces launched their new Ultime Pro Face Palettes recently. They are available in two variants, Fresh and Glow. I have both of them and have been using them since quite a few weeks and here are my thoughts..
Claims: With the bronzer, illuminator and blush all in one travel friendly pack, just add this one palette to your work bag or vanity and you are ready to go! The light shimmering color of the blush gives your cheeks a natural looking glow. Its silky smooth texture blends perfectly on your skin and feels super light, besides lasting all day long. The bronzer is the perfect blend of iridescent micronized pigments that dresses your skin in a radiant tan and a healthy looking complexion. Exalt your complexion with the Illuminator, as it sculpts adding radiance and homogeneity to the skin. With two shades to choose from, namely ‘Fresh’ and ‘Glow’, FACES Ultime Pro Face Palette complements all skin tones and flatters your skin like never before.
FACES Ultime Pro Face Palette is a light weight formulation which doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable or heavy all day long, but is rather fabulous on your skin. Not only that, it is easily blendable and gives you the most glamorous look for the day. With excellent shading properties, FACES Ultime Pro Face Palette will impart just the right dose of pretty to your look. Besides its extremely safe on the skin as it is paraben free.
MRP: Rs.899/-
Faces has already launched a bronzer and highlighter, and they have included the same two in this palette along with a blush. I absolutely loved this concept, the trio makes it very handy to carry around and travel with.
I love blush/bronzer/highlighter trios as you don’t need separate products and can do all three on the go.
It has a basic black packaging with a see through clear top. It doesn’t come with a brush or mirror. Though the palette is quite handy, I feel it has to be handled carefully or the outer cover would break, if dropped.
The bronzer and highlighter is the same in both the variants, only the centre blush is different. Fresh one has a day wear matte mauve blush, while the Glow one has a burnt orange blush with gold shimmer, appropriate for night time/heavier look.
FreshGlow
The palette and even the powders individually have a sandalwood scent. I personally love the scent but many don’t like any kind of scent in their makeup.
FreshGlow
The powders have medium pigmentation but are buildable. The bronzer is not very warm toned, so I use it as a contour too and I didn’t think the colour would show up as a contour on my skin as it’s quite light. But on building up, it did contour and define really well. Unfortunately the bronzer shade won’t show up on deep skin tones. However, the blush and highlighter would work, especially the Glow blush would look pretty on deeper skin tones.
I love using the Fresh one, as it’s very natural and gives a nice pink flush to the cheeks. The highlighter though has to be my favourite out of all three. It’s a gorgeous warm toned gold highlight and works very well with our Indian skin.
Here’s how Fresh looks on me, have used all three..
FOTD with Fresh
I absolutely loved the highlighter, it’s not OTT and neither very light/unnoticeable. It’s very pretty and again buildable if you like a blinding highlight.
This stays on for 6-7 hours in summers currently.
For fair to medium skin tones, both the palettes would work. For deeper skin tones, the bronzer won’t show up but the rest two blush and highlight would work.
At 899, getting all three products is really amazing. As individually the bronzer and highlighter are sold at 650 each, you get three products here and this is total value for money!
Huge Makeup Geek Haul: How to Buy, Prices, Shipping, etc.
Hi guys,
So I did this huge Makeup Geek Haul a few months back and was caught up with something or the other and couldn’t post this. I had to click pictures, so I didn’t use anything and I was dying to use them!
Finally I got around clicking pics and doing this post. I would be doing another post for swatches as there are way too many pictures in this post already.
I am mentioning a detailed description of each product, prices, how to buy, etc. in this post.
Starting with the Full Spectrum Eyeliner Pencils..
Claims: Define your line. Ultra creamy and richly pigmented, Makeup Geek Full Spectrum Eye Liner Pencils apply effortlessly to create a vibrant display of color on the lids. Choose from a full spectrum of color—available in 10 dynamic shades.
All our Pencils are Cruelty Free — we do not test our products on animals
I have the shades Ocean, Mint and Orchid which are very unique and beautiful! Just pop this on your lower lashline when you don’t feel like doing much and you will still stand out. I highly recommend getting the Nude one too for the waterline.
They come with a matching body and are easy to identify. They need to be sharpened though.
Best part about Makeup Geek website is they have very good swatches of all their products on different skin tones.
Coming to eye shadows which is Makeup Geek’s best selling product till date..
Claims:
These are all highly-pigmented – just check out the swatches!
Half the price of high end shadows without sacrificing quality
These pans can be placed in empty palettes such as Z-Palettes.
Eyeshadow pan weight is 1.8G / 0.064 oz
With a separate palette, you can build your own custom palettes (and save the extra cost and the plastic that eyeshadow compacts bring)
All our shadows are cruelty-free — we do not test our products on animals
Makeup Geek eye shadows are super affordable and have amazing quality! Easily comparable to MAC, Anastasia, etc. which are very highly priced. They have all the shades possible and you will find all MAC eye shadow dupes in Makeup Geek. I would anyday recommend getting these over a high end brand.
If you are just starting out with makeup/eye shadows, I have bought these basic nine shades which everyone should have in their vanity. So if you are confused and don’t know which shades to pick, go for these nine 🙂 I have done a lot of research before zeroing on these shades, so you can trust me.
I got the shades..
Creme Brulee
Cocoa Bear
Shimma Shimma
Moondust
Cosmopolitan
Bitten
Corrupt
Frappe
Mocha
I also picked a few foiled shadows. If you already have all basic ones and are looking for something fancy or need 1-2 foiled to work along with the basics, I would recommend these.
Claims: With these rich and intensely-hued shades, the new Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadows go beyond your standard line of cosmetics, introducing you to a new and powerful cosmetic experience. This cutting-edge formula offers a creamy texture that is a hybrid between a powder shadow and a cream shadow that is on a level of its own. The intense pigmentation combined with an opaque, metallic finish make these shadows a dream to work with. These can be applied effortlessly in just one swipe with no primer required! Our lineup includes a diverse array of rich colors and a smooth silky formula that we believe help elevate pressed eye shadows to the next level of exceptional quality.
These are all highly-pigmented – just check out the swatches!
These pans can be placed in empty palettes such as Z-Palettes.
Eyeshadow pan weight is 1.8G / 0.064 oz
With a separate palette, you can build your own custom palettes
All our shadows are cruelty-free — we do not test our products on animals
Makeup Geek also has pretty good blushes and contour powders, again all in pans. You can pick up the pans and an empty palette and make your own eyeshadows/blush/contour complete eye and face palette.
They also come in compact individually. In compact they are priced at $15 and the pans are priced at $10.
Claims: Get cheeky! Soft and subtle to bright and bold, Makeup Geek Blushes blend effortlessly into the skin to add the perfect dose of radiance to your cheeks. Their finely milled powder guarantees a smooth, buttery feel and a flawless application, every time. Rich pigmentation combined with a fade-resistant formula offers buildable, long-lasting color. This Talc-free formula is also great for sensitive skin
These are all highly-pigmented – just check out the swatches!
Half the price of high end blushes without sacrificing quality
Blush pan weight is 4.25G / 0.15 oz
All our blushes are cruelty-free — we do not test our products on animals
All Makeup Geek powder products are majorly talc free and hence they are more creamy and pigmented and don’t give crazy fall outs or feel patchy.
Coming to the contour powders, many people contour with a bronzer which is warm toned and that is fundamentally wrong. Though you can make it work, there are no rules. But a warm toned darker powder will warm up and bronze the skin for a sun kissed look. For contouring or creating a shadow or cutting the face as pro call it, you need a cool toned powder which is slightly ashy or grey. Not too much or it would look muddy. There is a very thin line in between and very few brands and products get it right.
Makeup Geek makes both warm and cool toned powders for all different skin tones, so you can pick whatever suits you best.
Claims: Super soft and buttery smooth, Makeup Geek Contour Powders blend like a dream and have been specifically designed to accommodate skin tone extremes and everything in between. From the lightest of light, to the deepest of deep, we have your shade. Choose from a complete lineup of 8 unique shades—four with warm undertones and four with cool undertones.
These are all highly-pigmented – just check out the swatches!
These contours are Talc and Paraben-Free – great for sensitive skin!
Vegan
All our contours are cruelty-free — we do not test our products on animals
Both the blushes and contour pans are 4.25g which is huge and enough for a lifetime even if you use them daily!
I got Complicated and Infidelity.
And finally I have some sparklers in the shades Zodiac, Solstice and Stargazer
Claims:
A sparkle beyond compare, Makeup Geek Sparklers go where no cosmetics company has gone before! Loose, reflective particles create a glitter-like effect that is out of this world.
For maximum impact, Sparklers are best applied with an eye-safe cosmetics adhesive. A galaxy of gorgeousness awaits—light up your universe with Makeup Geek Sparklers!
Completely Eye-Safe: Uses Reflects to create a Glitter effect
Jars fill weight is 4G / 0.14 oz
All our Sparklers are cruelty-free — we do not test our products on animals
They are also Talc and Paraben-Free
Price: $10 each
Now many of you had questions related to shipping and customs. Makeup Geek ships worldwide and they use either Mail Service i.e. normal post and UPS i.e. Expedited and more expensive. I opted for Mail Service and it took me almost 2 months to receive it. Mail Service cost $8 to $12-13 depending on the weight and UPS costs $40-41.
I had to pay customs of Rs.250-300 which is pretty reasonable for so much stuff. Again if you order less, you might not have to. Customs duty cannot be predicted though.
I would highly recommend shopping from Makeup Geek. It’s a paradise for eye makeup lovers especially. All Makeup Geek products are top notch in quality and they keep adding new shades and new products. They have recently launched highlighters which are again fabulous!
I will do swatches of all these in a separate blog post, as it would be too image heavy.
P.S: Happy Holi! This is my kind of Holi 😉
Have you tried anything from Makeup Geek? Your favourites?
MUFE Ultra HD Foundation, HD Second Skin Cream Blush Review, Swatches
Hi guys,
So if you saw my First Impressions video, I had used the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation and the Second Skin Cream Blush in that. Unfortunately, the lighting in that video was poor. I did test it out quite a few times later on, and of course have natural lighting better pictures. So let’s get on to the review first..
Claims: Developed specifically for the film and TV industry’s most advanced technology, Ultra HD Liquid Foundation creates a naturally flawless complexion—on and off camera. Completely invisible under the latest, super-focused 4k lens, this revolutionary foundation features uniquely-coated pigments that provide medium to buildable coverage with an even lighter weight, second-skin texture that looks just like skin. This lighter weight formula delivers the very same flawless results as before when applied with a flat foundation brush in a tap and stretch motion
Long lasting with a natural finish, Ultra HD Liquid Foundation is formulated with hyaluronic spheres to ensure comfortable wear on all skin types. Now available in an expanded range of 40 shades to match all skintones, Ultra HD is the perfect everyday foundation for a flawless complexion – and an unretouched life.
MRP: INR 3400 for 30ml
Availability: Sephora stores
Shades Available in India: 15
How to apply: Apply two pumps of Ultra HD Liquid Foundation in thin layers, starting in the center of the face and stretching outward.
• Buildable Coverage: For best results, apply with a flat foundation brush or sponge
• Light Coverage: Buffing brush
After the Make Up Forever HD foundation’s massive success, they launched the Ultra HD which is even better and meant for super high definition pictures and videos i.e. for 4K lens.
It comes in a similar packaging with a pump as the HD foundation, only the HD is completely black while the Ultra HD is silver at the center body.
It is very runny and light weight in texture, it has 80% water content, so you don’t feel like you have foundation on even with multiple layers.
It has medium coverage which is buildable, but you won’t get a complete coverage with this, you will need a separate concealer for blemishes. You can build up the coverage in thin layers, and still it will never look cakey or heavy. It will give you a natural skin-like finish and it will be hard for anyone to say you have foundation on.
I have the shade Y375 Golden Sand. Y is for yellow undertones and R is for red undertones, I guess.
I love love how natural it looks, it blends into the skin seamlessly and looks skin like. I have never come across such a natural foundation. It photographs really well. If you prefer matte finish, you can use a powder to mattify it, it will not look powdery or cakey whatsoever.
It stays put through the day and does not wear off or settle into lines or crease, even on the edges of the nose or the laugh lines.
I agree it is pricey, but I definitely recommend it for days when you are going to be photographed or have a special occasion. This is meant to be used for high definition photography and does that job amazingly well. It is invisible even on 4K camera and looks like skin!
HD Second Skin Cream Blush
Claims: Products in the HD range come from a generation of formulas designed to create makeup that is flawless, natural and invisible to both high definition cameras and the naked eye.
Unlike any other cream or powder blush*, this unique formula melts on the skin for an extremely natural flush of color with a long lasting result. Its blendable, second skin texture allows for easy, controlled application.
Formulated with the perfect balance of silica powder and synthetic mica, HD Blush has a soft focus effect that diffuses light for a radiant finish. Its blend of waxes and oils creates a lightweight texture that easily glides on the skin for a flawless result.
Studio-tested with HD camera.
Dermatologist tested. For all skin types.
MRP: INR 2600 for 2.8g
How to apply: Remove a small amount of HD Blush and apply it with a brush, HD Sponge, or the fingertips, depending on the desired result.
Shades Available: 16
I have the shade 320 English Rose, it’s a beautiful muted rosy pink shade. I love the texture of it, it has a cream to powder finish. So once you blend it in, it settles in just to give a soft flush of color. There is no slip or greasiness and the color won’t slide off.
Blended, Unblended
The best part about this HD blush is, even though it is quite pigmented, it does not look OTT on the face. It just gives a soft flush of color and is very easily buildable and blendable.
I love the natural flush of color it gives to the cheeks. Also loved the shade 330 Rosy Plum, both the shades 320 and 330 are perfect for everyday wear and would work on warm Indian fair to medium skin tones. 330 one would work on Medium to Dark too.
Again being HD, it photographs really well.
I have used both here..
and here..
Overall, I would say, HD products are a must have for someone who gets photographed often. If you are a bride to be, I would definitely suggest the Ultra HD Foundation and the HD Blush. They have HD Concealers and Powders too.
Have you tried the MUFE HD/Ultra HD Foundation? Or the HD Blush? Your thoughts?
So as you all already know, Lakme launched these new products in their ‘Illuminate and Shine‘ collection during the last fashion week. This is a Limited Edition range brought in collaboration with Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
This range also has Illuminating Foundation and Shine Line liquid eye liners which I guess are permanent, only the bronzers and highlighters are LE.
There is one bronzer, one highlighter and two shades in the Illuminating Shimmer Brick i.e. Pink and Coral.
Lakme had this bronzer and highlighter earlier too and it was LE at that time too, so those two are like a relaunch. But I love the new addition of the Shimmer Brick.
All three come in same packaging, a flat round pan with a clear plastic cap. There is no brush, no mirror, no other compartment. The product is stand alone.
Sun kissed Bronzer
Claims:
Limited edition makeup bronzer designed by fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee
The bronzer is half and half with one part being lighter and one darker. It is very smooth in texture and though shimmery, the shimmers are not gritty or chunky. I found it slightly orange though, I wish it was a little more brown based. Also if one part could have been matte, that would make it ideal for contouring + bronzing
Moon Lit Highlighter
Claims:
A limited edition highlighter designed by fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Ideal for strobing
Reflective shimmer finish
Contains fine velvet pearls to give your skin a stunning glow
Coming to the Moon Lit Highlighter, one part is a white based lighter highlighter and one is a dark brown based highlighter for deeper skin tones, which is exactly the same shade as the bronzer. So this is actually be a bronzer-highlighter duo.
Bronzer part feels exactly the same as in the Sun Kissed Bronzer, I love the lighter highlight part. It gives the most stunning soft, natural highlight. You can use this on an everyday basis and no one would know that you have highlighted! But if you prefer stronger highlights like me, layer this twice over a creamy highlighter and this will stay in place whole day, giving the most blinding highlight ever 😀 See it in action in my video HERE
Illuminating Shimmer Brick
Claims:
A limited edition blush palette designed by fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee
My most favourite out of the three is the Illuminating Shimmer Brick. I have the shade Coral. Both the shades Coral and Pink are beautiful! Both would work for all skin tones, but if I have to suggest one, I would say Pink for fair and medium skin tones and Coral for deeper skin tones.
It has 5 strips of color, with the top ones being more highlighter like and the bottom ones being more blush like. So you can either use them individually or just swirl the brush all over and use on both blush and highlight part for an all over glow! The peachy coral tones work really well the gold based highlight colors and together combined, they give the most amazing peachy gold glow. This product is perfect for brides too!
All blended together
The best part about all three is that they double up as eye shadows and look really good on the eyes. As the colors are bronzer and warm toned, they make nice lid colors and highlight for inner corner and brow bone or just a wash all over the eyes.
Overall, in my honest opinion, I would say go for the illuminating shimmer brick and the moon lit highlighter. You can skip the bronzer as the darker part in the moon lit highlighter is exactly the same. But if you are deeper skin tone and prefer deep highlighters only, go for the bronzer and skip the highlighter 🙂
I hope you liked the review, do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Cheek Color Review, Swatches
Hi guys,
So Lakme launched new lip and cheek colors in their 9 to 5 range, I attended the launch few days ago and got three shades to try.
Here are my thoughts..
What the Company claims: Say ‘No’ to touch ups with this perfect for office wear, Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Matte Lip and Cheek Color. Lakme’s first lip and cheek color comes in a mousse texture that’s weightless, giving a powdery matte finish to lips and a soft blush to your cheeks. Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Matte Lip and Cheer Color is ideal for daily office wear adding charm and lasting long. Its dual benefit makes it a high functional product for the busy and on the go working woman. Its Looks and feels weightless because of the light weight formula. Since it’s a mouse texture, it absorbs well giving an intense color that long-lasting. The applicator brish glides on seamlessly making is east to apply and giving a smooth and even finish. There are 10 vibrant shades designed especially for both lips and cheeks.
How to use product: Swipe on the product – with the foam tip applicator evenly over your lips. Apply a second coat of the weightless mousse, to deepen the shade and give your lips a powdery, matte look. To add a soft blush to your cheeks, dot the mousse under your cheekbones in a half moon shape and use your fingertips to blend.
I have the shades Pink Plush, Burgundy Lush and Coffee Lite with me. They come in a sleek blush pink tube packaging with a rose gold cap. While the outer packaging was kept same to match the 9 to 5 Weightless range, I wish there was some color demarcation. It is difficult to find one particular shade and you have to read the shade name behind each time if you have more than one shade.
It has a warm vanilla scent exactly like the MAC lipsticks, love the smell. It has a bendable doe foot applicator and is quite easy to glide on.
It has a smooth, velvet mousse like texture. A little more airy and light than the NYX/Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Creams. These are super pigmented though, once you take the applicator out, you wouldn’t need to dip it again as you can get two swipes and opaque coverage at once.
But as a blush, you need to work really quick with these. They take about 30-40 seconds to set and once set, they are difficult to blend or smudge.
They give a matte finish but are very light and comfortable on the lips. I was testing these at home and I forgot I had anything on my lips. My lips didn’t feel dry or didn’t crave a lip balm, they were very comfortable.
If you have dry lips, you will need to exfoliate though coz the lip colors cling on to the dry patches and accentuate them.
The lighter shades stay on for about 3-4 hours and the darker colors stay on for 5-6 hours. These do not transfer on cups or bottles and survives light snacks and tea. However, won’t survive full meal and would fade from the center and need re-application. But they are easy to reapply and do not crumble like matte liquid lipsticks.
In terms of shades, I wish there were few more nudes/browns/taupes and plums/grey beige and some unique colors. However not all those shades would work as a blush, so there is a limitation as this is a dual use product.
As a blush too, these are very comfortable and easy to blend. However, use a tiny bit as these are very pigmented and blend super quick, one cheek at a time 😀
L-R: Burgundy Lush, Coffee Lite, Pink Plush
Pink Plush is a neon coral pink
Burgundy Lush is a brick/burgundy red
Coffee Lite is a taupe with mauve undertone, my favourite out of the three!
My only con here would be the price. I wish these were priced around 450-475 as it’s Lakme 9 to 5 range and not the Absolute Range. Also different color packaging or shade demarcation below would have been great. Lighter shades won’t show up as a blush on deeper skin tones.
Overall, I quite like these and I am glad Lakme is coming up with new, innovative products. This one is perfect for office and apt in the 9 to 5 category. Lasts long, pigmented, no. of shades, comfortable, dual use.
I tried and swatched all the shades at the launch and my favourites/must haves/recommended ones are Blush Velvet and Coffee Lite. If you want deeper shades for fall/winter, Burgundy Lush and Cocoa Soft.
Are you excited about the new Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip & Cheek Colors? Your favourite?
This post was in my drafts since a long time, I have been using these Oriflame blushes since a few months and here are my thoughts..
Claims: Versatile duo-shade blush lets you create perfectly contoured cheeks. Darker shade sculpts and defines while lighter, shimmering shade highlights. HaloLight Technology™ for subtle lustre. Light, silky texture and comfortable to wear.
MRP: INR 599 for 4g (On offer: INR 449)
They come in three shades and have a small, tiny square packaging. Very light weight and handy, perfect for travel. They have a mirror inside, they do not come with a brush though.
Luminous Peach: It has a satin finish deep peachy coral blush and a beige and silver highlighter
Shimmer Rose: It has a satin finish peach blush (ya it’s peach and not rose) and a peachy gold highlighter. The highlighter is beautiful, and more like blush actually since it’s peach and can be worn like a blush
Pink Glow: It has a matte coral pink blush and a beige pink highlighter. If you like matte blushes, this one is for you
The best part is you can use them individually or combined, they look good both ways.
The names are pretty confusing though coz the rose is also a peach shade and most of them are in peachy coral family. But the plus point is they work beautifully on all Indian skin tones.
You can use only the blush side for day time and combine both for night time or even use both together for day time, since the highlighter is very soft and satiny and not shimmery.
My favourite is Luminous Peach and it will look good on all skin tones from fair to dark. They are pretty pigmented and all these swatches are just one swipe, you do not need too much or do not need to go over many times with this. Staying power is decent, they stay for 4-5 hours. Only disadvantage is you need a Oriflame representative to buy these.
For the price point, they are quite good and I would say definitely buy one of these during their offers. Recommended.
Have you tried the Oriflame The One Illuskin Blushes?
Today I am listing my top favourite blushes, 5 out of 6 are matte and perfect for day time. Only the Jordana one has shimmer but that is not much visible on the skin.
Maybelline Cheeky Glow Blush in Peachy Sweetie
It’s a light dusty rose pink and completely matte. The most affordable blush in the market and is pigmented enough! I recommend this to everyone, even if you are not a blush person and would like to own just one and not invest much in it, you can try this.
L’Oreal Paris Lucent Magique Blush of Light in Fuchsia Flush
Another super gorgeous hot pink shade! This is very bright and pigmented and you have to go with a very light hand when using this. It is priced at INR 850 but will last you forever. Absolutely love the packaging.
Marks & Spencer Limited Blusher in Damson
My go-to everyday blush, this is a light n*de mauve kind of shade, you can go lightly with this or layer for more intensity. The most natural looking blush I own
Jordana Blush in Sunlit Bronze
Again a very nice, everyday neutral shade. It’s a light brown with some shimmer. Very pigmented and use it with a light hand again as otherwise it might look muddy.
Sigma Blush in Cheeky
It’s a muted rosy brown shade, perfect for medium to fair skin tones.
MAC Bite of an Apple Blush
My most favourite blush ever, it’s a medium coral pink and looks beautiful on fair to medium skin tones. This will even show up well on deeper skin tones.
All the pictures in this post are clicked with the new Coolpad Mega Selfie Maker 2.5D! It has 8MP front camera and 8MP rear camera! I absolutely love the Royal Gold Color, and it is not at all heavy for 2500 mAh battery.
The pictures are vivid and true to colour! They have not been edited at all, only resized so that the post doesn’t take long to load. It is standard 5.5 inch screen and looks super stylish and expensive! 16GB internal memory and 3GB RAM, it supports dual 4G too.
This is the selfie I clicked with it, both a screenshot and the actual selfie.
It has Whiten, Smooth, Slim and Enlarge features for the front selfie camera. This is the Smooth effect.
It is priced very affordably at INR 6999 only!!! I can say this is the best budget smartphone I have come across! The sale starts on 24th August, you can register for it right now, go HERE
Do you like the pictures? What are your favourite blushes?
So it’s been quite some time I am playing with a few new launches by MAC Cosmetics. I also created a look with few of their new launches. And here are my thoughts on it..
MAC Modern Twist Kajal Liner
What the Company claims: A kohl-like liner that’s sultry, seductive and a little bit scandalous.The easy-glide formula makes this pencil a one-stroke wonder with a silky, soft texture perfect for rimming the sensitive waterline. Its colour intensity and extreme depth creates a look with unparalleled impact. The long-wearing, waterproof formula locks in your look for hours.
Features an extremely soft, gliding, creamy formula
Features excellent and even colour payoff
Features a high-coverage formula
Long-wearing, ten hours
Smudge-resistant
Transfer-resistant
Waterproof
Ophthalmologist tested
Safe for contact lens wearers
Usage: Apply to lid directly (can also be used in the waterline). Once twisted up, this product will not twist back down.
MRP: Rs.990
Shades Available: 13
I have the shade New Marine which is a cool toned emerald green with a pearly finish. The Modern Twist Kajal glides on pretty smooth and do not tug or pull. These are super pigmented and with two swipes would give a perfect, opaque line. These are water proof as well as smudge proof but need a good makeup remover to take it off. On the upper lashline, they stay put almost whole day, however on the waterline, they do fade away after 6-7 hours which is still pretty good.
They retract only one way, so be careful and do not retract the entire pencil. As we are used to two way retracting pencils, this is a disadvantage as one has to be extra cautious or the entire pencil will go waste.
They have a beautiful n*de shade called ‘Nothing On’ which is a perfect nude for the waterline. I am eyeing that one.
Overall I would say these are definitely worth a try.
MAC Versicolour Stain
What the Company claims: A liquid lip colour that’s the ultimate fusion of gloss and stain. The ultimate fusion of gloss + stain in one fluid formula that melts onto lips for a full-on glassy shine that lasts and lasts and lasts. Infused with emollient oils, its creamy, lightweight texture stays bright, lustrous and so comfortable without ever cracking or peeling. Like an energy shot for your lips, a range of resilient hues live long into the day (and night).
Long-wearing, eight hours
Shine wears for eight hours
Provides stay-true colour
Features a comfortable formula
Features a jelly-like texture
Provides a super-glossy shine
Dermatologist tested
Usage: Apply directly to lips with doe foot applicator. As with many lip stains, lips might feel slightly dry over time. If desired, prep lips with a lightweight lip balm or our Prep + Prime Lip. Product not recommended for use on overly dry or sensitive lips. For optimal lip definition, use with Lip Pencil or Pro Longwear Lip Pencil.
MRP: Rs.1800 for 8.5ml
Shades Available: 16
As rightly described, Veriscolour Stain is a mix of lip gloss and lip stain. It looks and feels like a lip gloss and is pigmented and long staying like a lip stain. It comes with a doe foot applicator. The packaging is basic black with transparent see through part in between to identify the colour.
It is jelly like in texture and goes on like a lip gloss. The only disadvantage is that it might smear and smudge since it is very pigmented and liquidy/runny. I love the pigmentation and staying power, although doesn’t stay 8 hours, but stays a decent 4-4.5 hours on me. It is not transfer proof though, so will fade away with a full meal, it leaves behind a pretty stain.
These are slightly expensive at Rs.1800 but it’s an innovative product. If you like lip glosses and prefer them to be more pigmented and long staying which leave a nice stain behind, you will love this.
I have the shade Preserving Passion which is a nice, deep wine berry colour.
MAC Zac Posen Collection
I have the Haute Contour from the MAC Zac Posen Collection which is a powder blush-bronzer duo. The packaging is very sturdy and it comes with a nice mirror.
What the Company claims: A powder blush duo to achieve the sculpted look seen in Zac Posen’s runway shows.
MRP: Rs. 2800 for 10g
The bronzer is medium brown with warm orange-yellow undertones and the blush is a medium coral pink with gold shimmer. I don’t have much to say about this, there is no pigmentation in the product. You have to go over at least 6-7 times for some colour to show up on your skin. The bronzer is still better but the blush gives no colour sadly. Disappointed with this, do not recommend.
MAC Flamingo Park Collection
I have a lipstick and a cremesheen glass from this collection.
MRP: Rs.1450 for lipstick and Rs.1650 for cremesheen glass
The lipstick in Flocking Fabulous is a bright coral red and is a mix of cremesheen + pearl finish and Such Sweeties is a pastel baby pink. There are 9 other lipsticks in this collection and 5 cremesheen glass.
The lipstick is bright and pigmented, goes on smooth and is very comfortable on the lips. It has a glossy finish but the glossiness settles down after some time. It stays put for a decent 4-5 hours without meal. The cremesheen glass is completely non sticky and very smooth to apply. It is not that pigmented and needs a base like a lipliner or lipstick below. I used it as it is and it doesn’t look very flattering as it does not cover pigmented lips.
I had used this lipglass in my blue smokey eyes tutorial HERE
It has a doe foot wand and a nice, warm vanilla smell.
Absolutely love the lipstick, the cremesheen glass is pretty nice but with a base colour.
L-R: Preserving Passion, New Marin, Haute Contour, Flocking Fabulous, Such Sweeties
Here I have used the Modern Twist Kajal in New Marine, I went for the half and half eyeliner look with half being green and half black, and also used it on the waterline. I have also used Haute Contour which is not much visible coz of the pigmentation and the Preserving Passion Stain.
Excuse my under eyes, I should have used an orange corrector, but I was in a hurry that day as had to leave for an event.
Overall I would definitely recommend the Modern Twist Kajal and Versicolour Stains. Also if you can get your hands on Flocking Fabulous, some lipsticks and cremesheen glass shades are ‘fabulous’ 😀
Givenchy Poudre Lumière Originelle & Le Prisme Blush Review, Swatches
Givenchy launched the Poudre Lumière Originelle & Le Prisme Blush in 41 – Lune Rosée as a part of their Spring/Summer 2016 La Révélation Originelle Collection.
I have been trying out both these since the past few days and here are my thoughts on it..
Givenchy Soft Powder Radiance Enhancer
What it is: A limited-edition highlighting powder that lights up the face with a natural-looking glow while accentuating the skin’s freshness.
What it does: Poudre Lumière Originelle – Soft Powder Radiance Enhancer gives the complexion a delicate illumination. Inspired by Givenchy’s couture designs this unique highlighting powder is imprinted with a unique lace motif. Apply it generously over the entire face to create a fresh-faced glow. It can also be used on the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the center of the chin, and the forehead to enhance the overall structure of the face.
What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens
What else you need to know: Nicolas Degennes tells the story of how an angelic beauty is created through the La Revelation Originelle Collection: an idea of innocence with universal vitality. The Givenchy Woman will define her own aura, like an enhancing halo to reveal her zest for life. The light of the divine, the light of the diva. This product is free of talc.
This product is free of talc.
MRP: $57 (India,Rs.5075/-) for 10g
To start with, the packaging is gorgeous! Just look at this highlighting powder and the lace motif on it. It is very, very finely milled and super smooth to touch. It comes with a mirror but no brush/applicator.
I did read a few reviews online and majority people said the lace print doesn’t allow the product to get loaded on the brush and one doesn’t get any powder or pigmentation. They scraped the lace print and loved the result with the actual powder beneath.
While I haven’t scraped the lace yet, but I do go over the powder, quite a few times, to get the desired amount on the brush.
Also it has no colour or shimmer and you won’t feel you have applied anything, untill you swirl it a few times on your face. I use it all over the face coz it is too light to be visible only on the high points of face. It is soft white in colour with a light pink sheen. I don’t think this would work for dark skin tones, coz it will look ashy, it is lighter for me too.
No glitter, no shimmer, no metallic finish, just a soft sheen which instantly makes your skin look naturally glowy. It gives a beautiful radiance to the face and it stays so throughout the day. I will surely be trying the powder, after scraping off the lace too. But this is just an all over use powder which gives a soft glow to your skin.
It is definitely very pricey and limited edition too, would not recommend it for darker skin tones or people with oily skin.
Givenchy Le Prisme Blush in 41 – Lune Rosée
Enliven your complexion with the limited edition Givenchy Le Prisme Blush in 41 – Lune Rosée, a luscious compilation of pinks and corals.
The epitome of freshness for springtime, Lune Rosée blooms to life on cheeks with its illuminating colourway featuring peach, light pink, rose pink and coral. Use each section separately for a tailored result, or swirl your brush across all four for customised colour that completes your fresh-faced spring look.
The ultra silky texture of Le Prisme Blush glides across the skin like a silken veil, caressing cheeks with its elegant look and feel. Givenchy’s exclusive powder atomising technology ensures that the powder particles are extremely fine and of identical size, ensuring a more even and intense result.
Apply to the apples of your cheeks with the included blush.
MRP: Rs.3500/- for 7g
It comes in a square black packaging and has four different blush colours i.e. peach, light pink, rose pink and coral. It also has a mirror and a brush with a brush compartment beneath. That makes it ideal for travel.
Though the colours are quite bright, they are not that pigmented and you would not go overboard with them. The most pigmented is the Coral shade.
The powder is very fine and smooth, and the blush is easy to apply. You do need to layer it 2-3 times for the colour to show though, coz they are not that pigmented. The blush though, once applied, stays on for a good 5-6 hours. I use all the colours combined usually, which gives a soft peachy coral color with some sheen.
Swatches of BlushBlush, Blended together
There are many different colour options in Le Prisme Blush, this one in Lune Rosee is Limited Edition. I absolutely love the colours, but I do wish they were more pigmented. This is not a must have from this collection.
FOTD with the Blush and Highlighting Powder
Overall, I think the powder is quite good and do recommend it, especially if you have dry skin, but only get it if it matches your skin tone, or else it would look ashy. Not a fan of the blush coz I expected more pigmentation.
What do you think of Givenchy Poudre Lumière Originelle & Le Prisme Blush Lune Rosee?
