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Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon Poison Ivy Review, Swatches

Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon Poison Ivy Review, Swatches

Lip Crayons, Lip Pencils, Lipsticks, Makeup, New Launches, Reviews, Sugar Cosmetics, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon Poison Ivy Review, Swatches

What the Company claims: If excellent coverage and high colour pay-off is what gets you going, you will absolutely love our new Matte As Hell Lip Crayon that is available in 4 gorgeous shades to suit your taste & your ever-changing mood! Super long-lasting and highly pigmented so you don’t have to worry about constant re-application, this must-have lip crayon has a soft texture with a silky matte finish.

Shades Available:

  • Feeling confident & sexy? Flaunt a classic red pout with the Scarlett O’ Hara shade – that’s guaranteed to make heads turn.
  • Want to go bare-faced with a pop of color? Say hello to Mary Poppins! It is an eye-catching Fuchsia shade that can never go unnoticed
  • A classic shade that can instantly add a touch of mystery to your entire look, Poison Ivy (wine) is hot on the runway and a must-try shade for those who love to experiment
  • Want to pull off dramatic eyes and come out as a winner? Holly Golightly (Nude) is the way to go! This peachy shade goes well with elaborate eye make-up & can also be used every day for a natural look

How to Apply: Exfoliate your lips & apply the Lip Crayon just the way you would with any other lipstick. Blot & reapply.

Benefits: The Sugar Matte As Hell Lip Crayon has a creamy consistency that eventually settles in to a matte finish. With stunning shades that don’t fail to impress, it provides maximum coverage with the right amount of color. This power product is dermatologically tested & approved and 100% safe for your skin..

Additional Details: Its wax-based formulation does not contain mineral oil, parabens, paraffin, phenoxyethanols, volatile cyclomethicones (D4, D5, D6) and animal derived ingredients.

Ingredients:

Made in Germany.

Size: 2.8 gm.

MRP: Rs.799/-

So I received this Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon last week, I have tried their Eye Told You So Eyeliner before which was a part of Fab Bag and quite liked it. Matte Lip Crayons are all the rage right now and I am glad they have come up with these and some interesting 4 shades. I have a lot of reds and pinks in Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tint and Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balms, so I wanted to go for either nude or wine. Since it is fall/winter already which is perfect for deep burgundy/wine/berry shades, I went with Poison Ivy which is a beautiful berry wine shade.

It comes in this black fat crayon packaging with the base matching the shade. Sadly it is not retractable and one has has to sharpen it which leads to quite a lot of product wastage. Other than that, it is quite travel friendly.

Coming to the texture, it is very, very creamy and buttery. It glides on easily on the lips but that also means it does bleed and go out of the lines easily, so one has to be careful while applying. It is very pigmented and covers the entire lip well in 2 swipes.

It is on the creamier side and not completely matte, even after some time, you won’t see or feel a complete matte finish. It is not transfer proof and transfers a lot on cups, bottles, etc.

Staying power is ok, it stays for 4-5 hours without eating or drinking, but just 2-3 hours if you eat or drink and will fade and transfer while eating or drinking.

It does feel very light and comfortable on the lips. It is quite moisturising and will work on dry lips too, quite forgiving.

Poison Ivy is a beautiful wine/berry shade and perfect for this season, definitely a unique shade and not that other brands have in this category.

Price wise it is definitely priced higher. At 800, it is more expensive than Lakme too which is priced at 650 and offers 3.5g. I have not sharpened it yet, so not sure how long this would last, the qty is reasonable.

Overall I would say I am not very happy with the staying power and transferring, though these are moisturising and light. Also these are priced higher than other brands in this category and the qty too is lesser than them. But what Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon has, are two shades nude and wine i.e.Holly Golightly and Poison Ivy which other brands do not. So if you want a matte nude and/or wine lip crayon, I would suggest checking this out. For reds or pinks, I would suggest other brands. But if you have dry lips and are looking for matte yet creamy and moisturising lip crayon, then go for this.

You can buy it from their own website HERE or on the Fab Bag website HERE.

Rating:

Quality: 3.75/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Are you looking forward to try the new Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon? Which shade?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review.

Khadi Rose Water vs Fabindia Rose Water vs Lotus Herbals RoseTone Facial Toner

Comparison, Fabindia, Face Mist, Khadi, Lotus Herbals, Reviews, Rose Water, Skin care, Toners, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Khadi Rose Water vs Fabindia Rose Water vs Lotus Herbals RoseTone Facial Toner

By Archana

Rose water is a favorite beauty product for almost all of us. It has multiple uses, can be used as a toner, for mixing face packs, as a refreshing facial mist, to reduce stress in eyes and even for hair care. It is one product that suits all skin types, oily or dry skin. There are numerous brands rose waters available in the market. Today, I will be comparing three of the best brands’ rose waters – Khadi, Fabindia and Lotus Herbals. Ofcourse, there are more luxury brands offering rose waters like Kama Ayurveda, Forest Essentials, etc. which are undoubtedly superior, but for this post, am comparing the popular budget-friendly ones. Read on to know which one you need to get now.

Packaging:

Khadi rose water comes in a plastic bottle with a flip-flop cap and a small hole to dispense the product. While Fabindia and Lotus Herbals comes in a convenient spray form which is easy and quick to use as you can directly spray on face. Clearly, Khadi’s regular packaging, though good for body lotions and shampoos, is not apt for a rose water.

Texture and color:

Khadi rose water is just like plain water in color and texture. Fabindia rose water, while you spray onto your hands, foams a little. But apart from that, both Khadi and Fabindia feels just like applying water on your face. Gets absorbed quickly, no stickiness, greasiness and they don’t make your face oily. Lotus Herbals, being a toner, has a slightly more denser juice-like consistency due to ingredients like aloe vera juice. It is light pink in color, obviously, artificial color. Khadi and Fabindia rule in this aspect.

Fragrance:

Fabindia rose water has possibly the most natural, soothing and pleasant fragrance among the three. It smells just like fresh roses, though not overpowering. Khadi’s fragrance is good, though it is more artificial, more like the Dabur and Banjara’s ones. Lotus Herbals too has a nice pleasant fragrance which is a little more on the sweeter side compared to Fabindia and is more artificial.

Ingredients:

Fabindia rose water is 100% pure and made from steam distillation of roses. Khadi rose water mentions only rose petals and water in the ingredients list, but it doesn’t say whether it is prepared through steam distillation or conventional method of boiling the petals and filtering. Steam distillation is the more preferred method as just filtering might not exclude all the impurities. Lotus Herbals on the other hand contains not just roses but also tulsi leaves extract, aloe vera gel, vetiver extract, castor oil and parabens and fragrance too. Clearly Fabindia tops in the ingredients and method of preparation. Lotus Herbals is good if you are looking for extra benefits of other ingredients like tulsi, aloevera and vetiver as well.

Efficacy:

In terms of efficacy, I love Fabindia rose water as its made from 100% steam distillation of roses. So I can use it even for sensitive areas like eyes and also hair care without fear. Since its pure, you can also put few drops into your eyes to freshen and cool your eyes. I have combination skin and when I used it in summers it helped to soothe and calm sunburnt skin and also provide light hydration making my skin appear healthy and glowing. With Khadi rose water, the results are normal just like any other rose water. But I feel its not as hydrating as the Fabindia one. Lotus Herbals , being more of a proper toner, offers extra benefits like minimizing pores and smoothing out skin. But after appyling, it gives a little sticky and greasy feeling. It hydrates and moisturizes the skin very well and makes it soft and plumper. I have combination skin which gets dry in winters and this toner has helped my skin stay hydrated throughout. Sometimes, I even skip moisturizer. Though, I don’t think I can use this toner in summers. Also, it won’t be suitable for oily/acne-prone skin people. And unlike, pure rose water, this can’t be used for eyes or hair.

Price:

Fabindia Rose Water comes at Rs.175 for 100ml which is makes it almost 4.5 times costlier than Khadi Rose Water which comes at Rs.80 for 210ml. And what do you get extra in Fabindia rose water for it? Steam distilled pure rose water, soothing natural fragrance, better effects and convenient spray packaging. Lotus Herbals comes at Rs.265 for 100ml, but being a toner, its more concentrated and only little quantity is needed each time compared to the others. So one bottle will last really long.

Final Verdict:

Clearly, the winner among the three is Fabindia Rose Water. It offers the best results, suitable for all skin types, has a soothing and calming fragrance, is made from 100% steam distillation of rose petals and comes in a convenient spray packaging. Those who feel Fabindia Rose Water is costlier, can try Khadi Rose Water, which is definitely far better and pure than the Dabur Gulabari and Banjaras rose waters. Normal – dry skin people who need more hydration and looking for a proper toner, not just plain rose water can go for the Lotus Herbals one.

So I hope you enjoyed reading the post. Which one is your favorite rose water among the three? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

Editor’s Note: That was a fabulous comparison Archana! I love the Kama Ayurveda Rose Water but yes it is on the costlier side, I would love to try the Fabindia one.

Givenchy Makeover: Soft Night Time Makeup Look

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Givenchy Makeover: Soft Night Time Makeup Look

Hi guys,

A few days ago I met Ajoy Sengupta, the National Training Head for Givenchy and MUFE. I went for a makeover and he did this peachy and plum soft, night time look on me as I wanted something light. We went with a coral lip which matched my outfit.

I have a complete video on this makeover here..

Products used on me:

Lips 
Liner #3
La rouge #302 hibiscus rose

Eyes
Liner couture black
Magic Khol #7 waterline- Nude golden to open up the eyes
Magic khol #3 lash line
Noir couture mascara

Ombré couture #2- Cream eye shadow as a base
Caresse 1- Peach shade and highlighter
Inattendue 3- Plum shade

Face
Hydra sparkling sap serum
Hydra sparkling lotion for combination skin
Hydra sparkling eye gel

Acti’mine # 6 peach ( primer)
Teint couture foundation #5
Mister light #5

And here is my pic with Ajoy Sengupta.

I hope you liked the look, do let me know in the comments below.

Winter Skincare Guide for Pregnant Women

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Winter skincare guide for pregnant women

Follow a few simple tips as recommended by Dr. Kiran Coelho, celebrity gynecologist and say goodbye to skincare woes!

Skincare is a big concern during winter- just the thought of dry skin and chapped lips makes you cringe. This anxiety intensifies when you’re pregnant and have to deal with unexpected skin problems like itchy belly due to dry winter skin. These simple beauty tips will help keep skincare woes at bay this winter.

Gentle cleansing
While you may be lazy to go and wash your face with cold water this winter, it is extremely important to remove your make-up well before you call it a day! Opt for a cleanser that removes all of your makeup especially near the eyes as a lot of eye liner and mascara can be left behind even after proper washing. Consider Dr. Lancer skin care products whose offerings include great cleansers (among other things). A good cleanser leaves your skin non-irritated without redness or after wash tightness.

Moisturizing
Achieving the mythical glowy complexion of pregnancy is not all that difficult. Bid farewell to tired pasty skin by moisturizing your skin at least once a day. Not only will it keep your skin nice and plump but may also help reduce signs of aging.
Dr. Kiran Coelho, Celebrity Gynecologist, recommends application of moisturizers and oils containing Vitamin E, Lavender, Calendula and Rosemary as it helps repair damaged skin tissue that causes stretch marks. The same can be used after pregnancy also on the abdomen breast to reduce stretch marks.

Pedicures
While nobody will actually look down and notice your feet, the leg and foot massage you receive during a pedicure is beneficial for your circulation. Additionally, the pampering will pump up your mood and improve your whole pregnancy attitude.

Moderate exercising
It is of upmost importance to exercise in moderation for a healthy pregnancy. It will improve your blood circulation, reduce back pain and joint pain that escalates during winter. Try a mix of yoga, pilates and low-impact cardio that does not cause too much exertion. Expecting moms should get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week (half-hour a day for five days). Working out regularly helps you maintain a healthy weight which helps reduce stretch marks and makes it easier to shed your pregnancy weight after the delivery. Exercising will also brighten up your mood and chase away the winter blues and pregnancy mood swings.

Go Lukewarm!
Everyone enjoys a long, hot bubble bath for at least 20 minutes when they’ve been out in the cold, but long exposure to hot water can strip moisture from hair and skin- leading to dry skin and itchy scalp. It can also make you dizzy when you stand up.
Pregnant women should especially avoid saunas and hot tubs as it heats up the core. The heat makes your blood vessels wider which can cause fainting and the risks associated with falling. Very high body temperatures during early pregnancy may affect the development of the baby’s nervous system so it’s best to avoid saunas during pregnancy. Limit the warm showers to no more than 10 minutes, and not more than once a day.

The more the merrier!
Your body will ensure that your unborn baby has the best climate to be in no matter what the external weather is. Women are more prone to catch a cold during pregnancy, especially as the bump gets bigger and heat is lost through the increased surface area. Ensure you use fabrics that trap moisture. Put on cotton gloves over moisturized hands for warm and supple skin.

Drink more water
Agreed, that people do not feel as thirsty in winter as they do when it is summer, you must drink not just when you’re thirsty but at regular intervals to maintain an ideal body temperature. While it is important to take care of your skin by applying moisturizers and other external measures, it is also essential to be hydrated from inside too for glowing and healthy skin.

I think some of these tips are super helpful. Even though I do no post press releases, I realized how well put together these tips are and important too, so I decided to post them.

I hope it helped expecting moms, if it did, do let me know in the comments below 🙂

P.S: Image from Google

Plum Goodness NaturStudio All-Day-Wear Kohl Kajal Review, Swatches

Eye Liners, Eye Makeup, Eye Pencils, Kajal, Kohl, Makeup, New Launches, Plum Goodness, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Plum Goodness NaturStudio All-Day-Wear Kohl Kajal Review, Swatches

What the Company claims: 100% smudge-proof. 100% preservative-free
For the first time in India, an ophthalmologically approved kajal pencil with a gel-liner like performance. 100% smudge-proof, water-proof single-swipe brilliant black kohl-cum-liner that’s also gentle on your eyes.

Welcome to NaturStudio. Where it’s all about the glam, minus the harm. Get the look of a gel liner in a simple pencil format. Easy to use, studio finish & filled with goodness.

♥ Soft, creamy, gel-based single-swipe darkest black.
♥ 100% smudge-proof and water-proof
♥ Brilliant black that looks “just applied” even after 12 hours.
♥ Preservative-free, paraben-free, mineral oil-free, paraffin-free
♥ Dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested & approved
♥ Rich in Vitamin E for care and protection
♥ 100% vegan formula, not tested on animals
♥ Full-size 1.2g pencil – 4 times the kajal found in twister kajals (which contain 0.31g). Lasts at least twice as long.
♥ Made in Germany

Ingredients: Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rice Bran Wax, Natural Vitamin E

This requires the use of a high-quality cosmetic pencil sharpener to sharpen properly. Using poor quality sharpeners or stationery pencil sharpeners will damage the tip and the pencil.

Plum is always free of parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, SLS, DEA and PABA

MRP: Rs.425/- for 1.2g

It is recommended to buy with a dual sharpener they stock which is priced at Rs.125/- They also have Angel Eyes Kohl Kajal which is priced the same but meant for very sensitive eyes, so those who have super sensitive eyes should go for the latter.

The sharpener is also purple but has neon green cap which is hygienic and safe from dust, etc. It sharpens the kajal perfectly and can also be used for other eye pencils and lip crayons.

It comes in this purple and black packaging and in sharpenable form. It is super jet black, very pigmented and gives a good colour in one swipe, it does smudge if you smudge it immediately but within 1-2 minutes it sets and doesn’t budge at all.

It is waterproof and requires a very good makeup remover to take it off completely. I have used it on my upper lash line here, it stays for about 8-9 hours on my upper lash line and even longer, it just fades a bit post that but still does not smudge untill I take it off with a makeup remover.

Here I have used it on the waterline, it does smudge a bit on the waterline but stays intense for 4-5 hours after which it fades a bit but doesn’t go away completely which is amazing for my super watery eyes, coz no kajal stays more than 2-3 hours before fading on my waterline.

I have loved the Lakme Absolute Kohl Ultimate the most and found it the most water proof, long staying and smudge resistant amongst all kajals in the market, I would give this the 2nd place coz it comes super close in many aspects but price wise, this definitely is a winner. Also both are manufactured by Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetics in Germany which makes the best eye pencils. Even Kryolan Ikonic and Sugar Cosmetics Kajal are manufactured by the same company, I believe even Faces Cosmetics Eye Pencils.

At 425, it is very economical and you can sharpen and use it many times. I don’t prefer wearing it on upper lash line often as it gives a thicker line and gets blunt and round when used even once on the upper lash line but for waterline, it is perfect and can be used a couple of times before sharpening. Sharpening does lead to wastage as in all sharpenable pencils but is good for hygienic reasons. Also I do agree on it having more quantity than twist up kajals as they are mostly 0.31g, but here some product also goes waste in sharpening, still you get more qty than twist up ones.

Overall I would say, it is one of the best kajals in India currently and I highly recommend trying this out. If no kajal stays long on you and you have watery eyes like me, this will. I only wish the sharpener came along with the kajal and one wouldn’t have to buy it separately shelling 125 bucks extra.

Rating:

Quality: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4.5/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Would I buy it again: Yes

Have you checked out or tried the Plum Goodness NaturStudio All-Day-Wear Kohl Kajal yet?

Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Miracle Water Review

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Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Miracle Water Review

By Lovleen

Hello beauties,

This my very first review out here and I’m super excited! And the product that I’m going to review is Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Miracle Water. Today this product will complete a month in my house and I’m pretty happy about that, because I never thought that such a small bottle would come a long way. Still I have about ½ of the product left in the bottle, which definitely says a lot about its value for money features.

Product Description: Silky, smooth and shiny hair; these are the three things to die for. I know that there are a plethora of products that claims to give you the best of the three, yet how many stand upto it? Talking about this product well, it is a nice water-like serum that is defined as miracle water! The product guarantees to give you bouncy, shiny and silky hair which would last all day long.

Directions for Use: Just take about 1-2 pumps as per your requirements and evenly rub it in your fingers. Then spread your hands across damp or dried hair to get the best results. Never rinse the product as it is a leave on treatment.

Product Quantity and Price: Rs. 159 for 100ml

Shelf Life: 2 years!

Packaging: The product comes in a pump bottle pack which is quite easy to use. It pumps out just the right amount of serum which avoids over application or wastage too. In addition to that the transparent plastic cap and the pump lock system protects the serum.
Texture: The texture of the serum is perfect; it is neither too runny nor to thick. This is why applying it on the hair is a cakewalk. Even when I’m am in a hurry I just pump the bottle twice and get the adequate amount needed to cover my hair, so basically it’s as simple as it can get!

Key Ingredients: The product contains Water, Mineral Oil, Betaine, Isparaffin, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Panthenol, Silk extracts, Jojoba extracts, Seed Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Laureth-7, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloydimethyltaurate, Panthenyl Ethyl and Methylisothiazolinone

My Experience with Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Miracle Water

I’m a workaholic with no time to take care of my hair, so with such a tight schedule I really wanted something which would magically work on my hair, so that all the hard work will be done by the product. And this search came to an end with Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Miracle Water. Just as the name of this product, it works miraculously on my hair helping me to maintain its vibrancy and shine. It’s been almost two months that I’m using it and yes I have nothing to complain at all.

Pros:

Applying the product is quite easy
The packaging and pump tube is excellent
Love the smell and texture of the product
Can be applied on both damp and dry hair
Leaves the hair smooth and silky after application
Value for money because 100ml will go more than two months!
Travel friendly too, as I carry it almost everywhere for giving a finishing touch to my hair

Cons:

It does take time to work on too dry and frizzy hair
Contains mineral oil
Availability

Rating: 4/5 (You have to be patient for its magical results, so it loses 1 point for the delayed results)

Would I Recommend This Product To You? Why not try it as it is one of my all time favorite serum which suits almost any hair type.

Editor’s Note: How come I had never seen it yet?! Looks promising, I would love to try this out too. Nice review Lovleen 🙂

Have you tried the Pantene Pro-V All Day Smooth Miracle Water yet?

Makeup Tutorial: Fall/Winter Smokey Eyes | Indian Skin Tone

FOTD, Get the Look, How To, Lipsticks, Makeup, Makeup Breakdown, Makeup Tutorials, Starlooks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Makeup Tutorial: Fall/Winter Smokey Eyes | Indian Skin Tone

Hi guys,

I created this deep green/burgundy matte smokey eyes which is fall appropriate using the Starlooks September Revival Kit. Though it has matte bright pink lipstick, I would pair this smokey eyes with a deep wine/burgundy fall/winter lip color 🙂

Here is the video..

Read more about Starlooks in my previous post HERE. I love the idea of Starlooks having small, travel-sized products coz no one can finish their entire eye shadows and blushes, I can’t even finish lipsticks with the number I have! I absolutely loved the matte shadows and the matte lipstick. The eye shadow duo is perfect for fall and hence I created this fall, smokey look. Though the pigmentation is slightly low and you have to go over with the eye shadow 2-3 times. And it has deep teal green mini mascara which looks almost black though.

Starlooks Revival September 2015 Looksbook Mini Kit contains:

* Rawr Lipstick : A bold matte hot pink shade. But it might need a dash of lip balm beneath else it may end up looking a bit dry. My favourite in the palette, love this. Decently pigmented and completely matte

* Agave Eye Shadow duo: A mini matte eyeshadow duo, it features a red agave & green agave shade. Both are earthy shades, leaning towards an olive green and a burgundy. Since these are matte, they are not very pigmented and required me layer and go over my shadows 2-3 times, but they definitely gave a nice matte smokey look

* Flora Mascara: A deep teal mascara which looks almost black, love the brush, it gave nice volume to the lashes and did not clump much.

The eye shadow duo is very fall appropriate, I would have loved if the lipstick would have been a deep matte plum, the kit would be a perfect fall kit then. Though I love the lipstick, plum shade would have worked very well this eyeshadow duo.

MRP: $12 for membership, $29 for separate monthly boxes

Products used:

I hope you liked this look, do let me know in the comments below.

You can subscribe HERE, they ship using USPS First Class Mail. Currently they don’t have the ‘India’ option but you can mail them at info@starlooks.com and they will figure out the shipping for you.

Do you like the Starlooks Looksbook concept? What do you think of it?

MAC Matte Blush Raizin Review, Swatches, FOTD & Dupes

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MAC Matte Blush Raizin Review, Swatches, FOTD & Dupes

Written by Ishleen

Hello sweeties!

So here I am with my very first blush-review on New Love – Makeup! Thanks Bhumika mam, for giving me a chance! :*

Mac blush in Raizin is my second blush, and is perhaps the most impulse purchase till date! I went out to buy a good pair of shoes and got home this rather muddy looking blush (just in the pan) as I wanted a good bronzing powder!

Claiming to be a makeup addict and a beauty blogger for over two and a half years now, I could no more make excuses to avoid blushes just because they can look dominantly clownish if applied improperly! But after having tried my hand on a blush (also from mac) I knew I had to take a step forward with this dark brownish-red blush!

So coming to the main review now, keep on reading to know more!

About Mac Raizin Blush!

Claims: A blush that provides fantastic colour with ease and consistency.Designed by and for professionals, formulated to provide fantastic colour with ease and consistency. Applies evenly, adheres lightly to skin to achieve a natural-looking application of colour that stays put all day.

Dermatologist tested
Non-acnegenic

Directions: Choose appropriate brush and glide brush over the blush. Tap off excess powder and apply blush to skin using sweeping strokes and blend well.

Price: INR 1350 for 6 grams of product

This not so gorgeous looking blush belongs to the Mac permanent collection of blushes. Mac permanent line blushes are available in 5 stunning finishes, and Mac Raizin comes under the Matte finish; so you know it’s bound to be drop-dead pigmented no matter what!

Packaging: The regular line MAC blushes come in a very specific, matte black round casing with a see-through lid! The packaging looks quite sturdy, strong and is indeed very classy to look at! If there is one thing that a mac blush is not—it is flimsy! The lid is very sturdy and spill-proof as it has a click-sound lock mechanism—which is very reliable! One thing which I am not sure if I like or dislike about the MAC blushes is the fact that it does not come with any applicator! I guess that is not much of a con though, because those tiny little brushes which do come with blushes are somewhat useless—at least, most of the times if not always!

Shade: Okay, I’ll be true to you guys! One look at the blush, and I wanted to look away—real bad! But it just struck me that this kind of a shade was such which I could really use as a blush as well as a bronzer! And a double duty product always gets a yes from my brain! 😛

Outside
Indoors

So coming to the real hue, the blush appears to be a rather muddy looking red toned brown in the pan! Really unflattering, even for the most dusky Indian skins if you ask me! But on application, guys take my word for this; it was the most spectacular earthy-toned blush my cheeks had ever adorned! It looked so flattering that I had to pick it up—no second thoughts here! The blush has very beautiful and quite evident red undertones which add to the earthiness in the blush and makes it much more wearable!

Texture: okay all you blush-lover’s; when was the last time any MAC blush disappointed you? I can’t remember any such instance! Just like all iconic blushes from Mac, the texture of Raizin too is silky, almost satiny smooth—not at all chalky or too powdery despite being a powder blush!

Pigmentation and Colour Pay-Off: Coming from the matte collection of finishes—this blush is the not the one to be trusted with mediocre pigmentation! This is crazy pigmented—like insanely pigmented! Talking of the colour pay off—one swipe of my finger, and the earthy reddish brown powder covers up the entire fingertip and does not allow the skin to peep through—yes it is THAT pigmented!

Staying Power: I have never had a problem with the staying power when it comes to Mac—and Mac blushes generally stay put on my oily cheeks for a good 6 hours! Mac raisin is a bit different in this aspect—but different in a good way though! Being on the darker side of the spectrum, it stays on for a tad bit longer duration—it stayed “even” atop my foundation and powder for more than 7-8 hours while fading evenly! And this was without using a primer—I can only guess how much it will stay had I used a primer underneath my base!

My Take on Mac Raizin Blush

I am glad that my impulse purchase did not fail me this time—as it did cost me a lot! 😛 Being an Indian skin type, I know that this blush will work for us desi beauties fantastically! And as it is a powder blush, it did suit my oily, acne prone skin very well! Secondly, like most Indians, I too have very prominent yellow undertones and the red undertones in the blush do help in accentuating my natural skin tone! I just need to dip my brush very lightly in the pan and use it on the apples of my cheeks, blending it towards the hairline during summer months! But I plan to use it in my hollows during the upcoming fall as I like more bronzed kind of a skin in winters!

Do not care to swirl the brush in the pan as the pigmentation is such that the slightest overdoing will offer no scope for forgiveness! All in all if used judiciously, this blush is a go to for Indian skin tones!

Though the most underrated of blushes in the market, this one is the most muted, neutral blush especially for deeper Indian skin tones! And if you are fair to medium, or have skin similar to mine, more power to you as this particular blush will double up as both a blush and a matte powder bronzer which is very flattering!

Pros:

  • Silky-smooth texture
  • Matte brown with red undertones
  • Tremendously pigmented
  • Long-staying
  • Fades out evenly
  • Classy packaging
  • Can double up as a bronzing powder
  • Easily blendable

Cons:

  • Can be a bit expensive for some
  • Will look ruddy on very pale skin tones
  • Does not come with an applicator

Will I recommend?

If you have a native Indian kind of warm skin with yellow undertones—man, go for it! This will give you the most natural earthy kind of warm glow you could only think of! A very wearable blush especially for the deeper skins! Do not let the pan frighten you with its muddy brown appearance—it’s red undertones are indeed very flattering for the Indian skin!

Rating: 4.3/5

Editor’s note: Thanks Ishleen for this lovely review, the blush is perfect for deeper skin tones.

Dupe Alert: Few dupes of MAC Raizin blush are La Femme Blush in Sienna, NYX Cream Blush in Tan (Milani Sunset Beach is said to be a dupe but it is slightly on the orangey side)

Makeup Tutorial: Matte Orange & Pink Ombre Lip

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Makeup Tutorial: Matte Orange & Pink Ombre Lip

Hi guys,

I created this matte ombre orange and pink lip which is bright, fun and can be worn with everything from casual to ethnic. I have paired it with taupe eyes and green eyeliner for a more casual look. If you go gold or bronze on the eyes with the same green for an ethnic look, it would look amazing.

List of products used:

I hope you liked this look, if you did please give it a thumbs up and also subscribe to my Youtube channel for more such videos. I have another smokey eye coming soon and I am planning to do a festive Diwali look too 🙂

TRESemmé Ionic Strength Range Shampoo, Conditioner Review

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TRESemmé Ionic Strength Range Shampoo, Conditioner Review

Hi guys,

So after I finished using the Dove Oxygen Moisture Range, I tried this new TRESemme Ionic Strength Range and here is my review.

What the Company claims:  This innovative range is inspired from salon treatments that “reconstruct”and “repair” hair that has been exposed to styling and in the process,weakened and damaged. The Advanced IONIC Complex in this new range nourishes the hair and forms a protective shield, allowing it to withstand the potential damage due to heat styling tools and frequent brushing, while also reinforcing hair’s natural strength. Gentle enough for daily use, TRESemméIonic Strength ensures your hair is strong and beautifully soft making it manageable, like you have just stepped out of a salon.

How does the product work?

Using an electric appliance on your hair can damage it. Damaged hair has more negative charge. TRESemmé Ionic Strength technology with ionic complex contains positively charged ingredients which get attracted to the negatively charged damaged hair, making it smoother. When used with Ionic Strength conditioner it helps restore and nourish your hair, reinforcing its natural protection to damage.

MRP: TRESemmé Ionic Strength Shampoo 190ml Rs. 185, 580ml Rs. 415

TRESemmé Ionic Strength Conditioner 85ml Rs. 94,  190ml Rs. 185

Ingredients Shampoo:

Ingredients Conditioner:

It comes in the trademark TRESemme black and white packaging with a press button flip to open and shut. Also it has the same runny white shampoo and a thick white conditioner as the other TRESemme ranges. Smells also almost the same. My favourite TRESemme Range was the Split End Remedy one, that reminds me it’s been ages I have not used that and should try that again soon!

The shampoo foams amazingly well and cleans your scalp and hair nicely, it is very hydrating and moisturising, so it actually would hydrate the dry, damaged hair as claimed. I don’t have dry hair and neither is my hair chemically treated or colored, so I did not see much of a difference in that. But it definitely left my hair softer and smoother, only thing being since my hair is not dry, rich shampoos kind of weigh my hair down and I do not get volume and bounce.

I love volume in my hair and the Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo actually used to give me amazing volume, since I used this shampoo directly after Dove, it was a straight comparision in my head and that is the only thing I don’t really like in this shampoo. However the same thing is a boon for dry, damaged hair.

Conditioner is rich and hydrating again, it untangles all the knots left while washing the hair and makes your fingers slide through the hair easily. I do like rich conditioners especially for the end parts of the hair and I quite like this.

At Rs.185/- it is slightly expensive than other shampoos and conditioners, but the difference is not much. I like it when brand has different sizes available and the smaller ones are perfect for travel.

Overall I would say, if you have dry, damaged hair, use a lot of heat, coloring, etc, this range will work really well on your hair. However, if your hair is normal, not very dry and you are not into coloring or heat, I would suggest using the Dove Oxygen Moisture Range. If I have to choose one for myself, I would go with Dove. I like this range but it is not my favourite

Rating:

Shampoo:

Quality: 3.5/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Conditioner:

Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 4/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5

Have you tried this new TRESemme Ionic Strength Range yet?