New Lakme Absolute Illuminating Eyeshadow Palettes Royal Persia, French Rose Review, Swatches
Hi guys,
In my previous post on the Lakme Absolute x Sabyasachi’s ‘Illuminate & Shine’ Collection, I reviewed the new bronzer, highlighter and shimmer brick. (See HERE)
These two eye shadow palettes are also a part of the Limited Edition Sabyasachi Collection.
Lakme already has the day Gold and night Silver palette in this Illuminating Palette range, see the swatches of the Day Palette HERE.
Claims: They say it’s the eyes that gives you that extra sparkle. So as you prep for your festive looks this year try the new Lakmé Absolute Illuminating Eyeshadow palettes to add to the glam quotient. These limited edition eyeshadows by Sabysachi Mukherjee have 6 versatile colours to play with and create stunning looks that are bound to turn heads.
Whether it’s the lovely plum tones of the Royal Persia palette or the warm earthy shades of the French Rosé palette, these unique shades are absolute must-haves.
Limited edition eye shadow palettes designed by fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee
High intensity powders
6 versatile shades that blend beautifully
Suited for most Indian skin tones
MRP: Rs.995/- each for 7.5g (Buy Royal Persia HERE and French Rose HERE)
Royal Persia has more purple/pink tone shades and French Rose has more warm browns/coppers. From the first look of it, I absolutely love French Rose! The shades are stunning and so apt for the fall/winter/wedding season currently. I can think of 9-10 different eye looks immediately looking at the palette.
French Rose is definitely very versatile and very flattering on Indian skin tones.
Both palettes have the usual packaging with a mirror and a double ended sponge tip applicator.
Honestly except for 1-2 shades, I was not so impressed with the pigmentation of the shadows in the previous day palette. This time I am blown away and how!
I had huge expectations from the palettes as the shades looked really pretty. And I am so glad Lakme has worked on the pigmentation this time, all the shadows are super creamy and buttery and these swatches are just one swipe each!
Top Row:
A coppery bronze, close to MAC’s Amber Lights (Amber Lights is slightly more gold)
A matte plum brown, this was the only shade with little less pigmentation compared to the other 5, but is easily buildable
A satin finish pinky red
Bottom Row:
A matte dark chocolate brown
A satin finish peachy pink, close to MAC’s Expensive Pink (Expensive Pink is a little more pinker)
A matte burnt orange with some gold shimmer
Each and every shade is super pigmented! This palette is a must have for all brides to be, it’s a perfect addition to your trousseau. I will be creating a look with this palette super soon.
Coming to Royal Persia,
Top Row:
A satin finish aqua blue
A matte purple, again the only shade in the palette which is not that pigmented
A matte slate blue
Bottom Row:
A satin finish plum
A satin finish light pink
A satin creamy beige with gold shimmer, very creamy.
This palette has more cool toned and grey based shades, and more on blue and pink lines.
All the shades in both the palettes are very creamy and buildable, except for one shade in both, all are pigmented and blend well into each other.
If you like warm shades, you can go for French Rose and if you like cooler shades, you can pick Royal Persia.
For me personally, I absolutely love French Rose and if I have to recommend one, I would say French Rose 🙂
I hope you liked the review, let me know your favourite in the comments below.
Plum Smokey Eyes for Diwali with L’Oreal Paris Festive Fever
Hi guys,
I got a few things from the L’Oreal Paris Festive Fever collection. This collection has a range of products apt for the current festive season i.e. Diwali.
I got the Color Riche La Palette Nude in Rose, I think they have this floral design on on eye shadow for this special occasion, coz I haven’t seen in that usual palettes.
The Color Riche Les Ombre Eyeshadow in Midnight Rose, Color Riche Le Smoky Eyeliner Pencil in Black Velour. The eye pencil is amazing! Super creamy, super pigmented, stays long, comes with a smudger behind. Tough competition with my favourites Lakme Absolute Kohl Ultimate and Colorbar Just Smoky Just Black.
Then we have the Lucent Magique Blush in Sunset Glow, Super Liner Gel Intenza in Sapphire Blue. The Gel Intenza Gel liners are my favourites, I have all three shades and highly recommend these to everyone!
The Super Liner Perfect Slim, which I guess is a new launch in India. I love felt tip pen eyeliners and only use those, can’t wait to try this one.
L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Powder, Volume Million Lashes Mascara which is my favourite! And last but not the least, the Moist Matte Lipstick In Blaze of Red. I love the moist matte formula and they are one of my favourite range in L’Oreal Paris.
I came up with this plum smokey eyes using these products..
I used my L’Oreal Paris Infallible Foundation for the base and set it with the True Match Super Blendable Powder. The Lucent Magique Sunset Glow Blush for the blush and highlight. For my eyes, I used the Le Smoky Pencil in Black first to line my upper lashline and smudged it softly. I used the plum shade all over the lid and the warm light brown in the crease and for blending. I used the soft pink eye shadow in the inner corners and the matte off white shade on my brow bone. I used the Le Smoky Pencil for both waterline and tightlining and smoked the lower lash line with the same plum and brown. Finally finished with the Volume Million Lashes Mascara, two coats on both upper and lower lashes.
Color Riche La Palette Nude in RoseLucent Magique Blush Sunset Glow
And the Moist Matte Lipstick in Blaze of Red to end.
I hope you like the look, do let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Also what look are you sporting this Diwali?
P.S.: I wanted to record a video for this look, but my camera battery charger is not working. I have been going crazy in finding a charger as even the authorized service center or dealer do not have it and apparently no one stocks accessories. Kind of weird, but how does one use the camera without the charger. Highly disappointed in Nikon!
Best Aloe Vera Face Packs to get Clear, Glowing Skin
By Nidhal
It’s juicy. It’s succulent. It’s tender. It is a magic potion for your skin and hair. If consumed on a regular basis, it endows your body with a whole range of vital nutrients. It comes packed in tubs, tubes and bottles but that’s as good as a paper airplane in the name of defence equipment! It’s not real. Raw/real Aloe vera displays the tendency to turn stale within half an hour of being extracted.
Naturally the one in tubs, tubes or bottles would either be conspicuously fake or pumped with an overwhelmingly large number of chemicals. In the name of revitalising our skin, why then go for something that is just gel and nowhere as nourishing as our real Aloe Vera is?
Today, I will enlist a few tried-and- tested face masks with real Aloe Vera that you can easily whip at home to nurture your skin from within
1. ALOE VERA & HONEY MASK
The secret of Aloe Vera lies in its long, tender, succulent leaves – it is this gel that makes aloe vera a magical plant. It contains a host of beneficial compounds like polysaccharides, lectins and mannans etc. The main constituent of Aloe Vera is water but it also packs inside a bulk of minerals, vitamins and many active compounds which will leave your skin nourished and refreshed.
Honey, on the other hand, being a humectant (moisture binding agent) traps in moisture and doesn’t let your skin feel dry or stretchy.
PROCEDURE- Simply extract the gel of a whole Aloe vera plant and add half the quantity of raw (preferably Manuka) honey to whatsoever quantity of Aloe Vera gel you’ve extracted. Mix, apply and wash after 15 minutes. Since the mask contains honey, it won’t dry up solely so, there’s no point in sitting with it for hours. At most, half an hour is suggested after which Aloe vera would tend to be infested by bacteria.
2. ALOE VERA & CURD MASK
Known to be a peerless retainer of one’s skin’s firmness, Aloe vera in combination with curd that has lactic acid and hence, efficacious in lightening scars, spots, freckles, marks, blemishes, etc. is a wonderful mask to kick away spots and dullness. It also raises radiance.
PROCEDURE- As usual, extract the gel of an Aloe Vera plant (a single leaf would be sufficient) painstakingly and add two tbsp. of curd to it. Mix both well, massage on your skin gently and let it stay for 15-20 minutes or till it gets dry completely. Wash off with ample cold water to reveal brighter and energised face.
3. ALOE VERA, BESAN & HALDI POWDER MASK
The humble Aloe Vera gel has anti-microbial properties which spells cheer. Why? Because that makes it ideal to treat acne and pimples. Did I just see acne-prone ladies cavort excitedly on reading this? Besan helps to sort sallow complexion thereby evening out skin tone. Haldi makes for an excellent instant skin brightening ingredient that you just cannot skip in this recipe. I would suggest using either Kasthoori Haldi or Amba Haldi because these two variants are exclusively crafted for skin care and won’t turn your skin yellow if applied a little in excess (of course, don’t add an entire pack of Haldi just to ascertain the level at which your skin would turn yellow)
PROCEDURE- Simply extract Aloe vera’s gel off a leaf. Add a tsp of Kasthoori haldi or Amba haldi as well as besan. Mix well, apply and wash off within 15-20 minutes. Do not keep any Aloe vera face mask for more than half an hour. It gets infested by bacteria. You may not feel it but its nutritive value surely diminishes.
4. ALOE VERA, MILK & RICE FLOUR MASK
This mask comes to rescue to those who are battling sunburns. Aloe vera helps reduce inflammation and when teamed up with milk (that is high in lactic acid which lightens blemishes and deep cleanses skin) and rice flour (which helps to even out complexion), there’s surely no way your sunburn would stay for long.
PROCEDURE- Simply mix adequate amount of raw Aloe vera gel in a tablespoon of rice and little milk (enough to liquefy) the resulting mixture and smear it liberally on your skin. Once dry, splash cold water and scrub it gently to remove it. Voila! Someone’s glowing.
Editor’s Note: Loved this! I love curd & honey, definitely trying first two <3
Do you use aloe vera in your DIY face packs? How do you use it?
Best 10 Face Washes for Acne/Breakout Prone Skin Available in India, Prices, Buy Online
By Sanchita
Who doesn’t want a clear acne free skin? Well, Indian weather is mostly tropical and most of the habitable areas are prone of hot and humid conditions. Therefore, the skin breaks out pretty bad. However, if you take good care of the skin and use the skin care products which aims to help the breakout situation, then you can surely keep them at bay. First and foremost, you have to keep the dirt and impurities away to avoid breakouts. We have listed out the best 10 face wash for acne or breakout prone skin available in India and includes both budget friendly and high end options.
1. Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Wash – Price Rs. 110 for 100ml (Buy HERE) (Review HERE)
The Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Wash is one of the popular budget friendly face wash available in India. It comes in a simple transparent bottle with a flip open cap system. The face wash has a gel like light consistency, slightly thick and orangish in color. It foams really well and cleanses the skin without making it dry and parched. It helps in drying out the acne only and keep the skin clean and unclog the pores as well. It has salicylic acid which helps the acne to dry out and leaves skin feeling clean and beautifully clear.
Neutrogena is surely one of the trusted brand when it comes to skin care. It has a very convenient packaging and the product is extremely gentle on the skin. It contains Salicylic acid which is known to get rid of acne and prevents future break outs. The removes the layer of oil and dirt from the skin and since it is gel based, it will not dry out the skin. It is also a great one for sensitive skin and dermatologically tested. The skin is healthy and rejuvenated.
3. Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash – Price Rs. 140 for 150ml (Buy HERE) (Review HERE)
Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash is surely one of the popular choice for acne prone skin. It is a soap free face wash filled with herbal ingredients that helps you remove every layer of dirt, oiliness and grime clogged in the pores and prevents the breakouts. It is formulated with neem which is well-known for its anti-bacterial properties, kills problem causing bacteria, and Turmeric effectively controls acne and pimples. It takes some time to show the result so you have to be a little patient with the face wash. Also, it may dry out the skin slightly.
4. NEW Pond’s Pimple Clear Face Wash – Price Rs. 125 for 100g (Buy HERE)
Pond’s has launched the new Pimple Clear Face comes in a white opaque tube with a suitable flip open cap. It has Thymo-T Essence which works much better on skin in controlling pimples than salicylic acid. It claims to work on acne in flat 3 days! The herbal clay helps in absorbing oil and keeping pores clear.
5. Lotus Herbals Tea Tree and Cinnamon Anti-Acne Oil Control Face Wash – Price Rs. 175 for 120g (Buy HERE)
Lotus Herbals Tea Tree and Cinnamon Anti-Acne Oil Control Face Wash is another great face wash for oily acne prone skin. It has a thick gel consistency with minute beads which are very mild on the skin. It clears out the skin very well, controls oil without drying out the skin at all. The skin feels extremely refreshing. The ingredients are really powerful which as tea tree oil which is anti-microbial, anti-acne, antioxidant, fights skin infection. The cinnamon and oak bark will also help the skin a lot.
6. Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Active Neem and Tulsi Foaming Face Wash – Price Rs. 105 for 100g (Buy HERE)
The Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Active Neem and Tulsi Foaming Face Wash has a transparent bottle with a flip open cap. The face wash has a gel like slight runny consistency which feels mild on the skin. It lathers abundantly and requires a very little amount. It removes every layer of external impurities and provides a clean and refreshed skin. The neem and tulsi is extremely good for oily acne prone skin and makes the skin radiant slightly. The face wash takes slight time though if you have heavy acne formation on skin.
7. The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Wash – Price Rs. 695 for 250ml (Buy HERE)
This was a God-sent product for my skin and I can’t stop praising it. The face wash comes in a fat bottle which has green colored gel like consistency. It helps to clear out the skin well and removes every layer of dirt, impurities and oiliness. The tea tree formulation is great for acne prone skin and gives a cooling and refreshing skin. It helps to prevent the acne and pimples, controls the oil yet doesn’t dry out the skin and also helps in removing the blemishes. This is one of the most effective and highly recommended face wash for acne prone skin.
8. The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash – Price Rs. 895 for 125ml (Buy HERE)
Another gem of a product from the house of TBS. this Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash comes in a tube form with a flip open cap. It has a clear gel like consistency and helps in removing make-up, impurities and excess oil. It also helps in balancing moisture and sebum levels as it cleanses the skin. It is formulated with seaweed that has vitamins and minerals and hydrate the skin without getting oily. It also helps in keeping the acne at bay and gives a healthy matte finish to the skin.
9. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser – Price Rs. 450 for 50ml (Buy HERE)
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser is best suited for normal to oily or combination skin. It helps in purifying the skin and eliminates impurities and excess sebum while leaving the skin clean and fresh. The product is soap free, alcohol free, colorant free as well as paraben free. It lathers well and works great for sensitive skin as well. Overall, the face wash might be slightly expensive but it is a great one for the acne prone skin.
The Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser comes in a small travel friendly bottle and has a clear gel like consistency. It foams well and great for oily, combination, or acne prone skin. It helps in removing surface oils, dirt and make-up without leaving the skin dry. It also cleanses the skin and unclogs the pores. The face wash has a neutral formula and also non-comedogenic.
Avene Cleanance Gel’s soapless base cleanses your skin gently and leaves it feeling refreshed. The glyceryl laurate it contains will regulate excess sebum and mattify your skin.
I had to add Avene Cleanance Gel, it is my absolute favourite! Holy Grail. It is fantastic for acne prone skin and one bottle lasts you 3-4 months, so very economical!
Editor’s Note: I have mostly tried all of these and absolutely agree with your list. I had to add Avene, both Avene and Himalaya Purifying Neem are my Holy Grail, something I would come back to always and keep buying my entire life 😀 Must, must try! I also like the Clean & Clear and Neutrogena one. Currently testing the new Pond’s Pimple Clear, it is amazing! I highly recommend the Pond’s one for acne prone skin.
So I finally got the October My Envy Box, this is their 3rd anniversary box and all the teaser emails where making me very curious, they had mentioned they have 8 products in this month’s box.
The box this month is a plain white one with black web design on it and it says ‘turns three’ below the My Envy Box logo.
I got the Zebra print black and white nail wraps in Nertia. I have tried the Gulnare face wash before and it’s quite good. The Ayca Jasmine Body Wash also smells really nice.
I am not much into whitening cleansing facial foam as they make my skin super stretchy and dry. I would have liked the essence though which is another option in the box. I wish My Envy Box gave options to subscribers on what they can choose in terms of shades or products, if they have a few different ones to offer. That would be very convenient.
Love the Forest Essentials Cleansing Paste, I wanted to try this one out, glad I got this. Also this is perfect for travelling. Even the Kerastase Chronologiste vial is perfect for travel.
The Vert Loose Powder is made from all natural, dried rose petals. It has a strong pink undertone and can be used as a blush or eyeshadow. This would make a beautiful blush! But the quantity is good enough to last a few generations 😀 I would suggest splitting it to half or 1/4th and sharing it with your friends/family.
The total value of all the products in this month’s box comes to around Rs.3750/- I am quite happy with the products, 3 are full sized while 3 are super deluxe samples.
I definitely recommend this month’s box! Total value for money.
Did you get the Oct My Envy Box? What did you receive?
The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3 in 1, Daily Solution Review
Hi guys,
Today I am reviewing these two new products added in The Body Shop Tea Tree Range. I have been using these since about 2.5 weeks now and here are my thoughts..
The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3-in-1 Wash Scrub Mask
Claims: A clean and mean multi-tasking cleanser with foaming kaolin clay, volcanic minerals and Community Trade Tea Tree Oil that tackles the appearance of clogged pores, blackheads and shine. Perfect for those with blemish-prone skin. Use this triple threat cleanser as: 1. A daily wash to purify 2. A scrub to clear and tighten the appearance of pores and smooth the skin’s surface 3. A mask to deep cleanse and mattify the skin’s appearance
MRP: Rs.1295/- for 125ml
Ingredients:
This is the star product of this range. It’s a wash, scrub, mask all in one. It comes in a green flip cap tube packaging.
It has a white creamy base with small grey-black granules in it. Now when you use it as a face wash, it doesn’t foam and you actually end up using it as a scrub.
So I feel it should have been scrub/mask only. But as a scrub, it works great. It exfoliates very gently and would be perfect for sensitive skin too.
I love using it as a mask though. And then once it is dried, I wet my hands and scrub it, so basically I use it like both, at once 🙂
It dries super quick, in about 5-7 minutes, since it it clay based. It has a tingly, minty smell and feeling. Skin looks clean and completely matte post washing. It feels tighter and the pores look closed. Since it has tea tree and kaolin clay, this mask is absolutely perfect for oily, acne prone skin.
And the fact that it is multi-tasking is nice, as you can carry only this when you are travelling. Recommended.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Range Anti- Imperfection Daily Solution
Claims: Our 100% Community Trade tea tree oil is infused into the NEW Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution for just the right amount of all-over-face application, to pack a punch against blemishes. The result? A lightweight, fast-absorbing serum at an effective dosage.
MRP: Rs.1595/- for 50ml
Ingredients:
This comes in a big glass bottle with a dropper. The bottle is transparent but has a green tint.
The formula of this daily solution is very light, it feels exactly like water. It is runny and you need one pump i.e. about 8-9 drops for using all over the face. It has a strong tea tree smell.
Tea tree oil is a little concentrated and should be used only on acne and diluted with another base oil or water, if you have sensitive skin. This daily solution is already diluted and hence, safe to use all over the face, even for people with sensitive skin.
With time and regular, continuous use, it also helps in fading acne spots. It also has salicylic acid, alfalfa extracts, aloe vera, tocopherol (Vitamin E) along with tea tree oil.
It does not irritate the skin at all. I have not had any major breakouts since the time I am using this. One-two white heads on the nose, which have also settled down, on their own.
If you have always been a fan of the classic tea tree oil from The Body Shop, you will love this too! It may seem a little expensive, but the quantity offered is a lot. Especially for the Daily Solution, it is 50ml and you need 8-10 drops per use.
The main ingredient of this entire range i.e. tea tree is being sourced from Kenya, helping the farmers there and enriching their lives. As always, The Body Shop does it’s bit.
Also they have a special game created for this range ‘Battle of the Blemishes’, you can play it HERE. You can unlock special offers from The Body Shop clearing each level!
I recommend both these products for oily, acne prone skin. These are perfect additions to the Tea Tree Range.
Have you tried The Body Shop’s 3 in 1 and Daily Solution yet?
Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes
By Nidhal
“What goes on your skin, goes in your skin” is the mantra that we Indians swear by when it comes to skin care. Naturally, we believe in ‘feeding’ in our skin. And since nutrition is best derived in its unprocessed, raw and virgin state from nature with minimal processing, it is small wonder that we Indians nourish our skin to the bounties of nuts, fruits, herbs and everything natural!
On that note, let’s give all Non-Indians a sneak-peak into the spices that Indians incorporate into their skin care regimen. Sounds a good idea or should we better keep our treasure trove well-guarded? Let us be benevolent for a moment and spill the beans today.
1. TURMERIC- I am pretty sure there’d be hardly any Indian mother who wouldn’t have prepared/recommended/forcefully slapped a mask predominantly yellow in colour on their kid’s face while the poor child would’ve either succumbed to her persuasion or hid himself/herself to avoid being daubed that weird-looking and (apparently) unpleasant-smelling mask. Ask any Indian mother on the virtues of turmeric and brace yourself for information will flow at a pace that even Google would hide in shame!
Let me summarize why turmeric is our go-to spice. Turmeric helps one bid adieu to skin hazards such as acne, wrinkles, fine-lines and imparts a bright skin tone. Face packs made up of turmeric not only help to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also diminish excessive oil secretion by the sebaceous glands. It should then not come as a surprise that, Hindu weddings have a ceremony devoted to haldi application in order to impart a winsome glow to the bride as well as groom’s face.
A word of caution from my side. Please use either Amba Haldi or kasthoori manjal/haldi only for skin care. They are exclusively meant for skin care. The one in your masala daani is meant for pakoras not packs. Kasthoori haldi/manjal (whatever you prefer to call it) can be easily purchased online. I would recommend Dhathri’s Kasthoori manjal that is, priced at 25 INR for 50 grams.
2. CLOVES- In order to incorporate cloves in one’s beauty regimen, one has to invest in clove oil for that is how its bounties are harnessed. Clove is highly potent for obviating acne and removal of scars left by the same. It is to be applied topically to the affected areas. It is often blended with face packs or massage creams for application on the skin. It gives a tingling sensation when applied. The reason behind this tingling sensation is the potent nature of clove oil.
Skin woes, such as blackheads, whiteheads, scarring, pimples and scaly skin are signs that characterize the skin ailment known as acne. Acne commonly happens during adolescence due to hormonal imbalance. So, if you’re pestered by acne, ditch those over-the- counter medicines and invest in an organic brand of clove oil or you can crush some cloves, add a heaped tbsp. of besan and rose water and voila! Bid adieu to this pesky skin woe!
3. CINNAMON- Next comes the saviour of acne-prone skin. It is tingling but boy, it is effective to the hilt. Cinnamon (Dalchini in Hindi) delivers fantastically when it comes to speeding blood circulation which makes your skin breathe thereby removing acne. This is done by drying the skin and bringing blood and oxygen to the outer skin surface. Thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, cinnamon helps enhance one’s complexion.
However, please always use only a pinch (one-eighth a tbsp.) of cinnamon as a little over that can sting your skin excruciatingly. Personal experience corroborates this. So, do not go overboard 🙂 Just add a pinch of it to all your face masks and you will be good to go.
4. GINGER- Being a potent antiseptic and cleansing agent, ginger helps in keeping the skin clean, smooth and free of blemishes. Besides that, it also invigorates and stimulates one’s skin. It is the best natural acne-fighting weapon as it minimizes the rate of acne formation and eruption by killing and clearing the acne-causing bacteria. Acne-prone ladies, did I see your eyes dilate on discovering the perfect weapon to kick away those acne scars?
The next time you go grocery shopping, you have your reasons to add ginger to your shopping cart, right? Do not just brew it in your tea, let your skin savour its virtues externally too 🙂
5. SAFFRON- Now, comes the spice from the Northern corner of our country which we fondly call ‘Heaven on Earth’- Kashmir. Although this spice is going to be a bit straining for your pockets, yet its beauty benefits will compel you to turn a blind eye to its price at least once. Okay, enough of this ‘Guess my name’ game.
The spice I am talking about is kesar and this is an elixir for our skin. Is there seriously anything that this wonder spice doesn’t do? From imparting an enviable glow to one’s complexion to treating acne, blemishes and blackheads thanks to its anti-fungal content, from softening skin to making it supple, this spice is a must-have (at least 1 gm) in our beauty stashes.
Feel free to add 2-3 strands of it in whichever pack you whip. Let it stay undisturbed for half an hour and once the colour changes to yellow, it is a prefigure to not only slather it on your skin but also that you have bought authentic saffron.
Top 10 Nude/Beige Eyeliners Available in India, Prices
By Simran
Hello everyone!
Eyeliners seem to be an essential part of every girl’s makeup routine. You can choose from a wide variety of colours and give your waterline a nice pop of colour. Black is the favourite colour to be used on the waterline by most of the Indian women. But, if you have hooded eyes or monolid or close set eyes, black can make your eyes look smaller. So, rather than buying a black eyeliner next time, go for a nude eyeliner.
Now you must be wondering, why shouldn’t you use a white eyeliner instead? It’s simple, white eyeliners leave a sheer unnatural finish. The pros of using a nude eyeliner, you ask? A flesh toned or nude eyeliner brightens your eyes and instantly makes them appear bigger. It helps you in brightening the inner corner if you have deep set eyes or you can use it as a concealer on your face or even as a brow bone highlighter!
So, I have compiled a list of the best nude eyeliners available in India.
1. Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in N*de 005 (Price: INR 345/-) (Buy HERE)
This has to be the best budget nude eyeliner available in India. The formulation is quite creamy and it glides on the waterline easily. It lasts about 5-6 hours on the waterline after which it fades away completely. Rimmel is available in Parcos stores in India.
2. Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Eye Pencil in Nudo (Price: INR 800/-) (Buy HERE)
This kajal has a glide-on texture which allows you precise control over the pencil. The colour payoff is excellent and it will last on your lids for the whole day. The pencil has to be sharpened and is not in the retractable form.
3. Sephora colourful shadow and liner in 33 Secret Boudoir (Price: $14 or approximately INR 950/-)
This jumbo pencil is multi-usage, you can use it on your waterline or apply it on your lids as an eye shadow primer. The lasting power is great and the finish of the eyeliner is matte! There is another jumbo pencil in the range in shimmer finish in the shade 05 Beige. This eye pencil by Sephora is decently priced, according to me.
4. Maybelline colour show eyeliner in Shiny Beige (Price: INR 325/-)
Another affordable option in the Indian market is the Maybelline colour show eyeliner in Shiny Beige. The finish of the eyeliner is shimmery which is perfect if you’re doing glittery eye makeup. The pencil is in the retractable form and is completely waterproof.
The next nude eyeliner comes from the newly launched brand in India, Nyx. This indeed wonderfully working multi tasking wonder pencil works as a concealer, a lip liner as well as an eyeliner. You can use it to highlight your brow bone or line your waterline to bring life back in your eyes. So, get your hands on it before it goes out of stock, again.
6. Inglot Kohl pencil in 05 (Price: INR 850/-)
The pencil is highly pigmented and formulated to gently define the eyes while leaving a velvety appearance. The active ingredients in the kohl pencil provide a moisturizing effect. The pencil is long lasting, completely waterproof and smudge proof.
This eye pencil is perfect to make your dull eyes look brighter. It is a double ended pencil with a brightening nude shade on one side and a wide array of shades to choose from for the other side. Who doesn’t love multitasking products? The formulation of the liner is creamy and it lasts on your lid for a long time.
8. MAC Technakohl Liner in Risque (Price: $17 or approximately INR 1150/-)
The eye pencil is a pale beige-nude colour in retractable pencil form. Its formula is soft and creamy with intense, rich colour. It is a smudge proof long wear eyeliner which helps in instantly brightening your eyes.
9. Colourpop HoneyDude Eyeliner (Price: $5 or approximately INR 350/-)
“Who needs a sugar daddy when you have this creamy warm nude” says the description of the eyeliner, so fancy! The eyeliner is in a smooth, creamy, long lasting finish to give your eyes the perfect dose of colour. The finish of the eyeliner is completely matte and the pencil comes in a retractable form.
10. Urban Decay 24/7 waterline eye pencil in Walk of Shame (Price: $20 or approximately INR 1350/-)
The formulation of the eye pencil is creamy and the finish is demi-matte. The multi usage pencil can be used a highlighter on your face or even as a cream concealer. The pencil is slightly high on budget but if you need a nude pencil which will (literally) last on your waterline all day then surely buy this pencil.
Editor’s Note: I recently ordered Colourpop Honeydude eyeliner, I also have a Jordana one which I really like. I would like to add the Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick 24H Water Proof in Bulletproof Beige
Elizabeth Arden Ultra Ceramide Lipstick Brick Review, Swatches
By Simran
“Show off your lips, show off your lipstick”
Hello everyone!
Don’t we all enjoy an amazing red lipstick? A red lipstick is something which instantly makes you look glorious even if you are only wearing the lipstick alone. A red lipstick has its own pros; it makes you look younger, feel confident, it is perfect for every occasion and you can wear any outfit with it. Every girl probably needs to own a luxurious red lipstick in their vanity.
So, I will be reviewing one of my favourite luxury red lipstick from Elizabeth Arden, The Elizabeth Arden Ultra Ceramide lipstick in Brick.
Claims: This lustrous, colour-saturated lipstick is infused with Volulip and delivers brilliant, moisturizing, colour-lasting comfort shine, for plumper, fuller-looking lips. Lips look fuller, more defined … and feel youthfully smooth, soft and nourished. Ceramide Triple Complex helps strengthen and re-texturize skin’s appearance, holding in vital skin-plumping moisture. Lips look fuller and younger. Contours seem more defined.
Key ingredient: Volulip ceramide triple complex.
Price: $24 or approximately INR 1650.
Packaging: The lipstick tube is black in colour with trails of golden near the cap. I bought the lipstick last year from duty-free but now the company has changed the packaging which is embossed with a design inspired by the iconic Elizabeth Arden Red Door and textured golden in colour. Despite the change in packaging, the texture and colour remained the same.
Texture & Colour: The lipstick is not exactly a glossy lipstick, it leaves a sheen on your lips; it is more of a demi-matte or moisture-matte in finish. The texture is buttery smooth and it glides on your lips like a dream and gives you a rich feel. It is very comfortable on the lips to wear. The lipstick does transfer a lot if you do not set it with powder.
Coming to the colour, the hue of the lipstick is a cool toned red or brick red. It is very pleasing to the eyes and can be worn daily to your work place.
My take on the product: The lipstick being a moisture matte lipstick is one of my favourite go-to red lipsticks. The brick red colour will ideally suit Indian skin tones. I like to turn down the lipstick to a complete matte by patting some translucent powder over it.
The staying power of the lipstick is a good 7-8 hours after which it will start fading from the centre of the lips; the lipstick can survive a good 4 course meal. It does not bleed or settle in to fine lines.
The Volulip ceramide triple complex does help in giving the illusion of plump lips and the lips appear more fuller. The company claims that the lipstick lasts a good 20 hours, which I highly disagree with.
Overall, the pigmentation of the lipstick is great and it offers an amazing colour pay off in just one swipe.
Though the lipstick is not transfer proof. I recommend using the Elizabeth Arden Beautiful colour smooth line lip pencil in the shade Crimson along with the lipstick as a lip liner underneath.
Pros:
Appreciable Lasting power
Great pigmentation
Will suit Indian skin tones
Plumps lips and gives a fuller look
Does not settle into fine lines
Gives a luxurious feel
Does not bleed upon application
Cons:
None I can think of.
Rating: 4.5/5
I recommend this lipstick to anyone looking for a great cool toned red lipstick for everyday use; this is one of the best options to try out in the luxury section.
Top 10 L.A. Girl Products Available in India, Prices
By Sanchita
Hello everyone. I was jumping with excitement when I spotted L.A. Girl on Nykaa. Finally, a well-priced amazing quality product launched in India! I placed a huge order immediately and to my surprise, every product turned out to be a blockbuster for me. L.A. Girl is one of the most raved budgeted brands in abroad and if you follow beauty bloggers on YouTube you would know that some of the product are like Holy Grail. Although all the products are not launched in India for now and I really hope they do that in future. For now, let’s get on with the best L.A. Girl products that we can easily access without paying heavy duty charges.
1. L.A. Girl PRO Conceal HD High Definition Concealer – 535 INR
I had start off the list with this one. There had been million times I wished I could have them and finally when I saw them online (with reasonable price tag) I bought it. The High Definition Concealers are one of the bestsellers from the brand. They come in a small light weight tube with a synthetic brush attached to apply the product. It has a creamy light texture, the coverage is medium to buildable and blends on the skin like a dream. It helps to banish the appearance of all imperfections and blemishes, ensuring that the skin emits nothing but purity, clarity and decadence whilst simultaneously maintaining a natural finish. It comes in around 20 shades and 3 color correctors so you will surely find a match. The product is so versatile that it will conceal, corrector, contour and highlight for you when you go for the right shade. This is a must have product for everyone.
2. L.A. Girl Glide Gel Liner – 450 INR
A gel liner in a pencil form? Absolutely yes. The Glide Gel Liners are available in 19 shades and comes in a slender pencil form and has to be sharpened for usage. The texture is creamy smooth and feels literally nothing when you apply. The formula glides on the eyelids and waterline equally smooth, imparts a richly pigmented color that is guaranteed to make a statement. Thus, you wear it as a kajal, eyeliner and even provide a base for smoky eyes. The formula is Cruelty-free, waterproof and smudge proof. It is a closer match of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil.
The L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss is available in 15 beautiful shades. The packaging is of a plastic cylindrical one with a doe footed applicator. The texture is creamy-liquid and spreads on the lips well. Although it says gloss, the liquid dries up on the lips giving a flat matte finish and deep rich saturation of color. The color doesn’t bleed or stains at all but has a slight drying touch so exfoliation of lips is a must! The smell is a slight put off but I love the matte formula it gives and lasts the whole day on the lips. (Warning: The lighter shades are beautiful, the darker ones are a little patchy!)
4. L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick – 550 INR
If flat matte isn’t your cup of tea, go for this one. The L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipsticks are available in 26 shades, ranging from nudes, reds, browns, pinks, mauves and even blue and black. The lipstick has the traditional bullet packaging with a creamy soft formula that not only imparts high-opacity color to the lips, but also deeply conditions and nourishes at a cellular level, resulting in a soft, supple and hydrated finish. It has a satin matte finish and lasts long on the lips.
5. L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Sticks – 750-800 INR
The L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Sticks are divided into three categories – blush, bronzer and highlighter. The product has a fat and chubby packaging with retractable function. It glides on the skin very smoothly, deposits rich amount of color and blends very easily without any patchiness. It is infuses Jojoba See Oil and Shea Butter to deeply nourish and condition the skin even at its deepest layers but doesn’t make the skin oily. The variety of color, easy to apply method with Paraben and Cruelty-free formula and long lasting nature makes it worth the steal.
6. L.A. Girl HD Pro BB Cream – 650 INR
L.A. Girl HD Pro BB Cream comes in 8 shades which is excellent because Indian skin tones vary a lot and a mere 2-3 shades are surely not sufficient. It has a light creamy texture that comes in a tube form. The BB cream gives a medium to buildable coverage and a perfect choice for every day wear and you can easily skip the foundation. It is enriched with the goodness of Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, doesn’t breakout cruelty-free product and also paraben and fragrance free. The finish is somewhere between dewy and matte and also long lasting on skin. it never broke me out despite having acne prone skin.
7. L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paint Gloss – 650 INR
This is a close dupe of the Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick. The L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paint Gloss comes in a tube applicator and has a texture of a gloss with the color-payoff of a liquid lipstick. It gives a nice coverage on the lips and feels very hydrating all day long. It is infused with the skin nourishing Vitamin E and the ultra-cooling Peppermint Oil that deeply nourishes the lips at a cellular level. The only con is that it is transfers a lot.
8. L.A. Girl Beauty Brick Blush – 999 INR
The Beauty Brick Blush is available in 4 variety of shades and would suit every complexion. Each palette has 4 shade – 2blushes, 1 bronzer/contour powder and 1highlighter. It has a pressed powder formulation with matte and shimmery finishes for multidimensional color. The colors are nice pigmented, cruelty and paraben free and extremely great when you are travelling as you won’t have to carry too many products. They blend seamlessly and lasts fairly long on the skin. For the price, it is a steal.
9. L.A. Girl Pro Prep HD Smoothing Face Primer – 850 INR
Primer is very essential to make the makeup last long and the Pro Prep HD Smoothing Face Primer is a star product. It gives a smooth appearance by filling in fines line and pores while providing the perfect surface for foundation. It is formulated with light diffusing particles and skin nourishing Vitamin E giving you a flawless finish on or off camera. It is best suited for oily to combination skin and is completely paraben and fragrance free. It helps the makeup stay on longer in humid weather too.
10. L.A. Girl Pro HD Setting Powder – 1000 INR
Baking is the trend of the season and the L.A. Girl Pro HD Setting Powder makes the job very easy for us. It has super fine milled texture and the powder is translucent in color which is why it won’t provide any coverage but set the makeup seamlessly. It doesn’t reflect any whitish cast and photographs extremely well. It has been formulated it 100% Mineral Silica that provide a super luxurious finish, setting the makeup perfectly. The product will last long and is also cruelty-free product paraben and fragrance free.
Editor’s Note: Already ordered the Pro HD Concealers and highly recommend them, also the orange corrector for correcting Indian dark circles. The BB Cream and Contour Sticks are next on the list. Matte Pigment Gloss I would love to try the lighter shades, the darker ones are very crumbly and patchy, so check the review of each shade before ordering.
