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?
We all go through days or rather nights during our periods, where we wake up with stained clothes or bedsheets at times. I know it may get a little embarrassing and night pads like these help us through those nights.
Claims: SOFY Overnight is the longest napkin in India and has a wider hip guard which covers your panty from the back for extra coverage. So you can sleep peacefully all night long.
Sofy is Japan’s no. 1 Sanitary Napkin brand and we have it in India since about 2 years now. I am very glad we do, coz there were just 1-2 sanitary napkin brands available widely in India and one being the most famous, had the largest share in the market. Also is very expensive, and leaves rashes and itchy feeling post periods coz of the plastic layer on top. It was not the most comfortable but then there were hardly any options in gel absorbing category.
Sofy has quite a few different variants available but this Overnight one is absolutely perfect for girls with heavy flow at night time because it is quite wide and long. Its wider hip guard covers the panty from the back and there are no chances of leakage or transfer because of the double absorbent core. The wings keep the pad in place and it doesn’t move.
It is the longest napkin in India. They have this super ad called #SleepingUgly which says Sleeping Beauties belong only in fairytales and in reality we sleep best when we sleep ugly 😀 That is so practical and true, that is the real us.
I love the fact that these are super soft and there is no absolutely no itchiness or rashes during or even after the periods. You can check out more about Sofy on www.sofyclub.com/in
Chances are your feet would be the most ignored parts of your body and you’d know of it already. Spare a thought for them. You wake in the morning, head to work, slog yourself all day, head back home all tired and drained and if there is a wee bit of energy left, you’d spruce up your face and neck and hit the pillow. But what about your feet? Once glance at them and in all probability, you’d throw your hands up in the air and disown them for their hideous semblance 😛 Won’t you?
Cracked feet is one woe that makes us regret not paying heed to our feet but wait, do not fret. There is still time, to turn the clock back. How? Well, Himalaya Hebals is here with its Foot care cream to allay this problem of yours. Let’s see how Himalaya Herbals Foot care cream fared for me
PRICE- Rs 95/- for 50 g
DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Wash your feet with lukewarm water and a soap-free cleanser. Pat dry. Apply Himalaya herbals foot care cream over them. Massage gently and allow it to dry. Repeat twice daily once after bathing and once before bedtime. Consult your doctor if you are a diabetic with any inflammation or irritation on your feet.
Sal Tree extract is used as an ingredient in ointments for skin diseases and in ear medicines. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help heal cracked heels.
Honey, with its bactericidal and antiseptic properties, is extremely important in Ayurveda. Used in a variety of medicines, honey is also an effective moisturizing agent.
Turmeric has been used as an antiseptic for centuries. The herb also contains strong anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe your feet gently.
Fenugreek has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicines and is an excellent moisturizer, specially formulated to hydrate dry skin. Applied externally, the herb is also beneficial for boils, abscesses and ulcers.
Ginger is used externally as a local circulatory stimulant which keeps the feet warm, preventing the skin from cracking due to the cold.
WHAT IT CLAIMS- Himalaya’s Foot Care Cream cares for your cracked heels and rough feet with natural ingredients. Enriched with the goodness of Honey, Turmeric, Fenugreek seeds and Sal Tree extract, this cream leaves your feet feeling soft in one week.
MY EXPERIENCE-
Packed in a simple plastic tube with a cap on top, the packaging of Himalaya herbals foot care cream is simple and hygienic to use. Despite regular use, the cap did not lose its grip which is appreciable. In a nutshell, it is up to the mark in terms of packaging. Nothing to go gaga over but nothing to criticize as well!
The cream has a slightly thick texture with a pleasant (herbal) fragrance. It is not too strong or long-lasting so, those who have a sensitive nose or dislike its fragrance, need not bother. It won’t last long. The cream spreads conveniently on one’s heels and with a little massage for 5 minutes, it seeps well into the skin. One or two uses won’t throw any significant results but dedicated use for a week will render you with softened heels. My heels were a little cracked and they were ‘healed’ (pun absolutely intended) in that time frame completely. I used it twice a day- once after having a bath and once during bedtime. I am quite sure that given its efficacy, it is capable of healing heels that are much more cracked than mine. Of course those with really cracked heels, need to give it more time. You damaged it in the first place, now give it some tender love and care too
On the flip side, it has parabens so, I won’t use it after it cures my cracked heels. This is effective as a ‘remedy’ but to me, not as a permanent beauty treatment. I’d rather stick with my oil blend once my feet are cured. How thankless of me!
GOOD-
1. Does what it claims to that is, heel cracked feet.
2. Readily available
3. Economical pricing
4. Travel-friendly
5. Mild aroma which won’t exasperate those not fond of products laced with fragrance
BAD-
1. Contains parabens, so it won’t be a “long-lasting” beauty fix. At best, use it if you have cracked heels to cure them and then opt for a natural beauty fix.
RATING- 4.5/5
Editor’s Note: My mom has deep cracked heels and I will definitely suggest her this. She doesn’t use foot creams regularly, always forgets. I hope she uses this and it helps her. I also like the Oriflame one.
Have you tried the Himalaya Herbals Foot Cream yet?
Summer always calls for less makeup products on the face and we always prefer skipping the foundation. However, we still need something to look fresh, bright and that would even out the skin tone. So, the best option is BB/CC cream. BB means beauty balm which enhances the skin and brightens it while CC stands for complexion care and hides the minor blemishes and gives an even look to the skin. It is great for day time and office wear as well with its light weight and super absorbing formula. So, let us see the top 10 BB/CC creams in India.
Maybelline Clearglow BB Stick is a great choice for oily/combination skin, especially this summer. It has a mineral clay formula which guarantees 12hr shine control and contains the goodness of Salicylic acid to manage combination & oily skin. It never clogs the pores or suffocate the skin and has a beautiful sweat-resistant and sebum – resistant formula leaves the skin fresh all day long. It also contains SPF 21/PA+++ that protects skin from sun damage. It blends well and has sheer to buildable coverage. Downside is, it is only available in 2 shades.
It comes in a tube packaging with a creamy texture. However, the consistency is neither too runny in texture nor too thick. With its light weight texture, it is a comfortable emollient but non-greasy texture. It blends seamless without any streakiness or patchiness and gives a very sheer coverage. It adds a very soft glow to the skin and astonishingly wears quite long and well suited for oily to combination skin. You can also use it as a tinted moisturizer and the price point is extremely good. Further, it is enriched with UVA/UVB protection with SPF 24. The only downside is, it comes in a single shade.
3. Lakme CC Cream: Price- Rs.275 for 30ml (Review HERE) (Buy HERE)
Lakme CC Cream comes in a beige colored tube with a silver screw on cap. It has a slightly tight texture but surprisingly, it bends quite flawlessly on the skin and gives an extremely natural and airbrushed finish. It almost feel nothing and gives a soft matte finish which does not look dry or cakey, accentuating on fine lines. It gives light to medium coverage and evens out the skin tone and you can also layer it without the fear of looking unnatural. It also provides a brightening effect but a subtle one. It is long wearing and works great for every skin type.
4. Colorbar Perfect Match Beauty Balm: Price- Rs. 550 for 29g (Review HERE)
This is undoubtedly the best BB cream in India. It is available in 3shades with broad spectrum sun protection (UVA and UVB – SPF 20). The tube packaging is great with the texture of a creamy-mousse and blends on the skin like a dream. It gives a matte finish with a light coverage which looks really natural and you can happily skip the foundation. The yellow undertones compliments and brightens the skin pretty well and has a long wearing formula of around 4- 5hours without any touch ups. The product is also paraben-free.
5. Deborah Milano 5 in 1 BB Cream: Price- Rs 625 for 30ml
Deborah Milano Claims: 5-in- 1 BB CREAM has a soft, fluid consistency that allows for as little or as much coverage as required, without ever looking cakey. It is available in 6 shades which is great for a BB Cream in India. It has a matte finish which is ideal for oily and combination skin. It conceals and minimizes imperfections like dark spots and pigmentation and evens out skin tone while also protects it against UV radiation and pollution. It has a long wearing formula and wears even long when touchups with powder or blotting sheets are done.
6. Ponds White Beauty BB+ Fairness Cream: Price- Rs 140 for 18g (Buy HERE)
Ponds White Beauty BB+ Fairness Cream is quite a budget friendly one. It comes in white tube with screw cap. The cream is enriched with a powerful mix of Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, Allantoin and advanced superior sunscreen protection of SPF 30 PA++. The BB Cream blends well on the skin to give a natural semi-matte finish and effectively hides minor blemishes and also brightens up the skin. The consistency is great and can be mixed with a foundation for better coverage as well. It works best for normal to dry skin and oily skin in winters only. However, the cream is available in only 1 shade which won’t suit everybody.
7. L’Oréal Paris True Match Skin Idealizing BB Cream: Price- Rs 550 for 30ml (Review HERE)
This is an ideal BB Cream for dry skin and comes with a high SPF of SPF 35+++ that also shields skin against environmental assault. Sometimes it may cast a whitish cast but after 10-15mins it happily adapts to the skin tone. It blends well and seamless on the skin and also brightens up the skin, adds a soft glow while being almost matte when set with a powder. Further, the skin is enriched with anti-ageing active ingredients to smoothen out skin’s texture. It also has a wearing formula of around 4-5hours with little touchups.
8. MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm: Price- Rs.2100 for 40ml
This Prep + Prime BB Cream SPF 35 by M.A.C. is one of the best high end option. It has a light weight liquid, but not runny, consistency and blends best with a duo fibre brush or Beauty Blender sponge, hiding pigmentation and dark spots very well and keeps the skin shiny and moisturized during the whole day. It has a nice flowery fruity scent to it as well. You require a very less amount of product and it is also long wearing on the skin as well even in summers.
9. Clinique Age Defense BB Cream with SPF30 – Price-Rs. 1900
Clinique products are always counted among the best ones and this Age Defense BB Cream is no exception. It has SPF of 30 that protects the skin well. it has three shades which suits pretty well without any ghastly whitish cast. The consistency is a bit thick and product is 100% allergy tested and fragrance free. It provides medium coverage and also brightens up the skin tone for a daytime look. This BB Cream is well suited for oily to acne prone skin and have antioxidants. You can also use this as a day cream as well.
This multitasking formula perfects skin in various ways, like, it covers imperfections and evens skin tone, draws moisture to skin (well suited for normal to dry skin) brightens dullness instantly and over time, helps reduce the look of wrinkles (antioxidants and skin repair ingredients) and shields skin against damaging UVA/UVB rays with SPF 35. It is available in a wide shade range for all skin tones (available in 9 shades with distinct yellow tones) from fair to dark and won’t disappoint you at all.
Editor’s Note: I absolutely love the Ponds BB Cream, it matches me perfectly and the coverage is super! One of my friend swear by the Chanel CC Cream, so would like to include that too as a recommendation.
MAC Retro Matte Lipstick Flat Out Fabulous Review, Swatches
By Linda
Hello all you beauties out there,
Today’s review is all about a beautiful bold shade from MAC ‘Retro Matte’ collection called Flat Out Fabulous. While I was on my regular window shopping to MAC stores I noticed this bold fuschia pink matte shade with a purple undertone in it , so headed straight to try it on. I was literally dying to buy this lipstick but then was reluctant, as I was under the impression of bold colors were only for very fair skin tones (cool tone).But thanks to my friend who observed my desire and gifted this shade to me(how sweet of her) . Now since I have this shade lets go head and know more about it.
What MAC Claims: Bright plum matte shade. With Retro Matte finish. Apply directly on to lips.
Packaging
This lipstick is packed in a carton which has a list of ingredients on it. It does come in one of the Classic MAC matte black and silver lipstick container with the shade mentioned at the bottom.
Cost: Rs 1450 /- for 3g
My take on Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick
As we know matte lipsticks tend to give us a dry texture to our lips, it wasn’t in this case. This lipstick glided smoothly on to the lips giving a polished finish with minimal swipes. I have lips that are dry and tend to get chapped easily hence I prefer prepping my lips by exfoliating, well moisturizing and then by applying the lipstick. It’s your personal choice if you need a primer for a longer stay put .A lip balm will be handy in case it tugs into your lips.
This shade is so well pigmented that you don’t require multiple swipes and at the same time gives an even distribution of shade on the lips. To maintain or to increase the intensity of color, you can go for multiple swipes and retouch every 4-5 hours. Inspite of drinking and eating you will notice the lipstick won’t wear off easily. It stains to such an extent that you need a makeup remover to take off the lipstick completely, incase if you need to. Be careful not to stain your clothes accidentally as its going to be a hard stain to take off.
Since this is a bold color your base makeup has be very neat and subtle as this shade will stand out so beautifully that everyone will notice your lips first (wink wink). I have a fair to medium skin tone and this shade looked amazing on me. In the picture attached I did not use a lip liner as it doesn’t even bleed .I researched whether it suited other skin tones and yes it looks amazing on other skin tones also, even on our dusky skin beauties. What I can suggest is before you purchase this shade please try it on yourself rather than judging the shade by just looking at it. Lipsticks tend to look different on different skin tones. Try it on see how it looks on you.
You can wear this shade for a day or an evening event (depending on the place and type of event) .I prefer wearing this shade for any weddings, parties or while I go clubbing with my friends. Personally I’m a non matte lipstick lover but once I seen the end results of this lipstick, I was totally in love with it.
Pros
Travel friendly
Amazing pigmentation
Lasts for 6-7 hours
Suits most of the skin tones.
Glides on smoothly
Does not bleed.
Cons
Stain could be a problem for some of them.
I cannot think any other cons, please let me know if you have any.
Rating: 5/5 (For texture, shade and the finish on your lips)
Would I recommend Flat Out fabulous Mac Lipstick? Yes definitely I would, if you are bored of a classic red lipstick, try this bold shade.
Editor’s Note: I absolutely love this shade, I am surely trying this out on myself at MAC store next time.
Have you tried the MAC Lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous? Your favourite Retro Matte shade is?
Here I am back with yet another post. With the advent of so many online shopping sites at our disposal makeup and skincare has become a rage. We are aware of the best of high end as well as drug store makeup products. Even the brands which are not available in India are on our fingertips. But many of us can’t get access to those brands. So, what to do in that situation?? Worry not here I am with some of the dupes of high end makeup products. These are the products which are not that easily available in India.
What’s Similar : Both of them come with a tapered brush which gives an edge to the lashes. They help in separating and elongating the lashes.
What’s Not : Dior mascara comes with a quick dry formulation which turns the lashes thick in some time.
2. Benefit High Beam (INR 2665) vs E.L.F. Essential Shimmering Facial Whip (INR 85) –
What’s Similar : Both of these highlighters have a gorgeous, pink sheen which gives a very younger looking dewy skin.
What’s Not : The E.L.F facial whip comes in a tube packaging which is very easy to use. But the finish of the E.L.F. one is very shimmery which is not perfect for day time usage.
What’s Similar : Both of them have highly pigmented 10 metallic and 2 matte shades.
What’s Not : MUA shades are slightly chalky. Also, the UD brush applicator is from cruelty free collection; whereas the MUA brush looks pretty cheap.
4. MAC Prep & Prime (INR 3200) vs Rimmel Stay Matte Primer (INR 1250)
What’s Similar : Both come in similar matte finish which helps the makeup stay longer. Also, they form a smooth base for the skin in order to prep it with the foundation after that.
What’s Not : MAC Prep & Prime stays on for much longer than the Rimmel one. But the Rimmel one is a bit more moisturising than the MAC one. MAC one is meant only for the oily skinned beauties.
5. MAC Ruby Woo (INR 1500) vs Rimmel Kate Matte lipstick in Kiss of life 111 (INR 500)
What’s Similar : Both are deep red with blue undertones in them.
What’s Not : RUBY WOO is very matte with slightly drying formula whereas Rimmel one is a bit moisturising. Also, once ruby woo sets it is impossible to smear.
What’s Similar : Both come in the form of a pen packaging. The formula is creamy which targets to brighten the under eye area.
What’s Not : YSL has a huge shade option of 10 whereas Maybelline has only 3 shade options. Also, touché éclat has limited coverage as compared to the Maybelline one.
7. Smashbox Photofinish Primer (INR 5625) vs NYX Studio Perfect Photo Loving Primer (INR 2450)
What’s Similar : Both help in minimizing the appearance of pores and filling them. This makes the makeup look refined and smooth. Even the ingredient list of both of them are somewhat identical.
What’s Not : The Smashbox one makes face greasy after some time. Whereas the NYX one ensures that your makeup stays perfect even by the end of the day.
8. Beautyblender (INR 1999) vs Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (INR 380)
What’s Similar : Both of them are designed in an ergonomic manner to give your foundation a much more even finish.
What’s Not : The Real Techniques one has flat end which makes the application around the eye area easier. Whereas the beautyblender blends foundation way better and quicker that the other one.
9. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (INR 2800) vs Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (INR 195)
What’s Similar : Both of them are so finely milled that excess product also will not make your face look ashy or powdery.
What’s Not : Rimmel one is a bit drying as compared to the MAC one. In winters you cannot use the Rimmel one even with a moisturiser underneath as it will accentuate your pores and cause dry flakes on your face.
What’s Similar : Both of them have similar ingredient list and thus the formula is similar.
What’s Not : The MoroccanOil Treatment is more moisturising for dry hair. It imparts shine and lustre much more than the Organix One.
These were my list of high end makeup dupes. Let me know if you like the post in the comments down below. Also, let me know any other high end dupes you have come across in your makeup journey.
Editor’s Note: That was a very nice list Pallavi. I would like to add two more. Sleek MakeUP Blush in Rose Gold and Makeup Geek Blush in Romance are the dupes of Nars Orgasm Blush! And the Maybelline Gel Liner Black has the exact same formula at less than quarter the price of Bobbi Brown Gel liner Black Ink.
Maybelline India Blushed Nudes Palette Review, Swatches, Tutorial
Hi guys,
I have been playing with The Blushed Nudes Palette and also created this look you see here.
What the Company claims: With all the things you’ll love about the new Blushed Nudes Palette, here are a few more:
– 12 rose-gold infused shades
– Easily blend-able
– Creates countless looks
– Compliments every skin tone
MRP: Rs.899/- for 9g
They have 13 different eye shadow combinations given behind, same like in the original Nudes, and that’s a very interesting idea. I can’t wait to try some of these looks.
The packaging of the palette is exactly like the original Nudes Palette and the pricing is also the same. It comes with a small applicator which has a sponge tip on one side and a brush on one side. The brush is pretty good for using in the inner corners or highlighting brow bone.
The palette is quite handy and small to carry along. It does not come with a mirror sadly, I would have loved a mirror.
The original Nudes Palette had all warm shades and more of browns, this palette has more pinks and grays and all cool toned shades. While the original Nudes Palette was supposed to pretty similar shades wise to the Urban Decay Naked Palette, this one the Blushed Nudes is very close shade wise to the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette.
If you follow me on Snapchat (bhumika_t), you must have seen a comparision of this palette with the same one in US and the shades are quite different, a lot of you took screenshot of that image coz the palette was quite different. I believe the US palette has more pinks and mauves and lighter shades and those shades might not show up on all Indian skintones, so they kept more of greys and darker shades in the Indian palette.
There are mostly satin finish shades, with one deep plum shade being shimmery and there are two mattes. One is a greyish taupe shade which is not that pigmented and the other is a matte white shade which is pretty decent.
Most of the shades are pretty pigmented while few are not that good and need a lot of layering for the colors to show up. But they stay on pretty good throughout the day once applied, more longer with a primer. They do not crease but the finish is not as fresh and slightly fade at the end of the day.
Here are the swatches:
TOP ROW:
The top row has all whites, peaches and pinks
BOTTOM ROW:
The bottom row has greys, taupes and purples.
I created this pink smokey eye look with this palette..
Overall I would say, this is a decent palette and worth checking out. We do not have many palette options available in India, and hardly any cool toned or pink-gray based. For the price, this is definitely pretty good. I do recommend this.
I hope you liked the look, do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Have you tried the new Maybelline Blushed Nudes Palette yet?
We all love buying makeup, don’t we? Even those “random” visits and strolls through makeup boutique and counter aisles end up with us eventually buying the stuff we fancy lying at the counters! We can’t help 😀
During such one random visit to Westside I discovered that they actually have a huge makeup and skincare studio, STUDIOWEST. I drove straight into it and the product that fascinated me the most was their eye shadow trio as I was on a hunt to get travel friendly palette to carry along for weddings!
They actually have their range sorted into two lines: (Read more HERE)
The Pure Passion line which is a more wearable, lightweight ranging from nudes to pinks for the woman at work
The Maaya line which is more edgy, has shimmery and bold dazzling shades for festivities, weddings and women who want to look more glamorous.
They have a great range of colors which are designed specifically to flatter the Indian skin tones.
Pure passion has daytime neutrals and black Smokey eye shadow trio. While Maaya has stark shades in Bombay jewels and goldmine trio.
I chose the goldmine for its vibrant color combination. It’s a mix of plum, gold and brown. I tried it at the counter and gosh it blew me off with the pigmentation. I had to pick it up!
So let’s get into reviewing the STUDIOWEST MAAYA CRYSTAL EYESHADOW IN M03 GOLDMINE
PRODUCT CLAIMS: “Hi intensity color, for dramatic eyes. Blends effortlessly to create a complete look”
PRICE: INR 425 for 4.2 g
SHELF LIFE Is approx. 2 years
TO USE: “Combine three shades to experiment with your look! Using the applicator, apply the dark shade to line the eyelid. Next, blend in the medium shade along the crease & highlight under the eyebrow for a stunning result”
AVAILABILITY: The Studio West range is available across most Westside stores in India and is an awesome stop for high quality, reasonable products. How I wish it could be available online too!
MY EXPERIENCE
PACKAGING
Studio West Maaya crystal eye shadow comes enclosed in a black paper box with small cutout window which shows off the product. Inside is a compact plastic case with no mirror attached. Well that doesn’t bother me at least. It has a transparent lid making it easier to see through the shades.
The details are written on the base. Inside the case rests three eye shadow colors in square cases. The double sided sponge applicator it comes with, is of no use and I use my own set of brushes to apply the shadows.
The packaging is simple, nothing fancy or great but not cheap looking either. It is breakable and not sturdy so one needs to be careful while handling it or while travelling.
TEXTURE
The texture is to die for!! Truly speaking I didn’t expect this kind of texture from this palette, since most drugstore brands have those powdery finish with loads of fallout. All three eye shadows are so creamy and satin soft and glide on like a dream!! Application and blending is super easy and seamless. The shimmer present in the formula is very subtle, not like big crystals but are finely milled and I didn’t observe any fall out during application, however I always prefer doing my eye makeup first and base later.
PIGMENTATION
This Goldmine trio is a beautiful palette containing great festive shades: a plum, antique gold and a copper brown. Great color selection and would suit most of our heavy attires.
I can’t really stress enough on how pigmented these eye shadows are. Just have a look at the swatches and this is without a primer (just swatched once). All the three shades are super pigmented and have a reflective, subtle shimmery finish which doesn’t look over the top. The colors blend well without a hassle.
SHADES
The color pay off in a single swipe is exceptional (see swatches). The first shade from the left is so unique. It is a plumy-burgundy shade and looks gorgeous. The middle one is shimmery golden with warm bronze undertone to it. The third one is a gorgeous copper-brown shade. Perfect blend for Indian skin tone.
STAYING POWER
They stayed quite well on my eyes for over 6 hours without any creasing or fading that too without a primer (do prime in case you have oily lids). However with a good base and primer, longevity increases by up to 2 hours. No fallouts whatsoever after application. It can easily be removed with any makeup remover for that matter. Impressive staying power!
PROS
Very affordable
Gorgeous shade selection
Very few fall outs
Blends easily
Staying power & pigmentation is brilliant
Soft creamy texture
Super Affordable (3 shades for 425)
Primer not required to intensify the colors
Works really well with all Indian skin tones
Compact and easy to carry around
The quantity is good enough for the price
CONS
Availability
Have a little Fallout (only during application)
The Brush is merely useless
Packaging could have been sturdier
Oily lids need a primer to make it last long
No mirror provided
RATING 4.5/5 (-0.5 for not so sturdy packing and a bad applicator)
RECOMMENDATION
Yes! I absolutely recommend this particular trio if you are looking for a palette which would be perfect for festival/ wedding season as it would team perfectly with all your ethnic attires. You can’t ask for better quality at this price. I loved the color selection on the whole, shades are sorted out to work on Indian skin. The formula and shades are absolutely fantastic and it’s very reasonably priced too. If at all you have to pick any one product from this range, this must be it!!!!
Will I repurchase?
Yes I am planning to give Daytime neutrals eye shadow a try!
Editor’s Note: I have the basic daytime neutrals one. These are a total value for money. The centre gold shade is to die for!
Have you tried the Studiowest Goldmine Eyeshadow Trio?
Today am here with one more ayuvedic brand – Kama Ayurveda. Most beauty enthusiasts would already be aware of it. But when I was talking about this to one of my office teammates, they were joking about the name of the brand. So just to clarify for new people, Kama means desire. Kama Ayurveda – the brand emphasizes the desire for harmony between the physical, mental and spirtitual realms. Only when the mind and the body are connected, one can achieve perfect health. And perfect health gives perfect skin! So desire perfect health! Desire perfect skin! That is why Ayurveda is more powerful than English medicines and chemical products, which focus on curing a particular symptom.
Let’s see the top 10 Kama Ayurveda products you need to try.
1. Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Ayurvedic Night Serum (Price: Rs.1890 for 12ml) (BUY HERE)
By far, this is the brand’s best selling product. It is an anti-ageing serum and suitable for those above 25+ years who are looking to start an anti-ageing routine. Though its an oil based serum, it can be used even by oily skin people. From the various beauty blogger reviews I have checked, it doesn’t cause any whiteheads or acne. The main ingredient is saffron blended along with vetiver, sandalwood, lotus and licorice. It works on reducing fine lines, fades dark spots and gives a soft glowing skin. One thing though, the brand has hiked the price too high and its just 12ml!
This is a more cost effective version of the above Kumkumadi. If you do not wish to spend too much on Kumkumadi, you can go for this. It is a skin-lightening and de-tanning oil for both face and body. But if you have acne-prone skin, better not use this for face. Its not as miraculous as the above one, but works well in lightening and removing tan while giving glowing skin. You can use it on hands and legs as well.
3. Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser (Price: Rs.375 for 50ml and Rs.675 for 100ml) (BUY HERE)
Just as the name suggests, its a lovely, gentle cleanser suitable for all skin types. The calming and relaxing scent makes the otherwise routine face washing experience, a pleasant one, which you will look forward to (from personal experience 🙂 ). It cleanses skin well giving a refreshed feeling while the mild salicylic acid content in it helps to control breakouts.
4. Kumkumadi Brightening Ayurvedic Face Scrub (Price: Rs.995 for 50g) (BUY HERE)
This is a pure luxury scrub formulated with kumkumadi oil and finely ground sweet almond along with liquorice, vetiver and wild himalayan cherries. It exfoliates away the dead cells and gives smooth, soft and brighter skin. Also helps to lighten pigmentation and scars. You can notice a glowing complexion with continuous usage.
5. Kama Ayurveda Pure Vetiver Water (Price:Rs.175 for 50ml and Rs.645 for 200ml)
For those who love a cool, refreshing mist, this is a perfect option. It instantly hydrates and balances the pH of the skin and relaxes the mind with its calming, earthy scent. For those who prefer the floral jasmine fragrance, they can go for the Pure Mogra Water.
6. Mridul Soap-Free Cleanser (Price: Rs.425 for 40g) (BUY HERE)
This is a natural powder-based cleanser made of a traditional Ayurvedic combination of oatmeal, green gram, almond, neem, sandalwood, turmeric, rose and fennel. Just imagine all the goodness going directly into your skin! Its really food for skin.. It gives a fresh and radiant face. Also acts as a mild exfoliator.
7. Lavanya Natural Plant Mask (Price: Rs.395 for 25g)
This is an ayurvedic mask for pigmentation, acne scars and blemishes. It purifies the skin and deep cleanses. If you are suffering from oily, blemished and acne-prone skin, you should definitely give this one a try. Unlike clay masks, this is like a powdered-leaves based pack. It is gentle enough to be used even daily.
8. Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment Oil (Price: Rs.515 for 100ml and Rs.995 for 200ml) (BUY HERE)
It is a herbal hair oil which helps to treat hair loss, dandruff and premature greying. It contains a blend of amla and liquorice in a base of pure sesame oil and milk. After washing your hair, you can feel it soft, smooth, shiny and naturally conditioned. With regular use, it also promotes hair growth.
9. Organic Cold-Pressed Aloe Vera Juice (Price: Rs.500 for 100ml)
The reason I mentioned aloe vera juice in the list is because not many brands sell it. And making aloe vera juice at home is a painful process. Kama Ayurveda has 100% organic cold pressed aloe vera juice. Just use it regularly and see how your face glows and you get a clear complexion. It also helps in treating sunburn, rashes, blemishes and acne. Also, you can use it to mix your herbal hair packs.
10. Rose Jasmine Hand Cleanser and Hand Lotion (Price: Rs.895 for 200ml) (BUY HERE)
Our hands and foot deserve the ultimate care, yet we ignore them the most. Hands show signs of ageing very soon as we subject it to harsh soaps often. Show some TLC to your hands with Kama Ayurveda’s gentle hand cleanser and hand lotion. It has a nice, delicate floral fragrance and makes your hands soft and moisturized.
Apart from these, their sulphate-free shampoos and silicone-free conditioners are definitely recommened. Also, I have tried couple of their massage oils – meditate & energize variants and found them a good relaxing experience for winters. And if you wish to buy essential oils/virgin cold-pressed carrier oils, Kama Ayurveda ones, even if slightly expensive, are worth it, as they are in purest form.
So which Kama Ayurveda products you have tried? Share your experiences with them below.
Editor’s Note: Loved the post Archana, I have used the Kumkumadi Tailam before my wedding, used it every night, and absolutely loved it. I still have some left and would start using it again soon. Apart from that, I love the Rose, Lavender and Vetiver Water. I have the Mridul Cleanser and have to start using it, also the Bringadi Oil.
Top 10 Berry/Wine Lipsticks Available In India, Prices, Buy Online
By Sanchita
Berry wine lip colors are really trendy and it is definitely not confined to winter now. Previously, girls used to think twice before going for a dark lip color but now, thanks to the winged liner or neutral eye makeup, it is very easy to sport a dark vampy or berry wine lips, flaunting every bit of boldness. The color berry/wine itself compliments the warm Indian complexions so much that literally every brand has their own version of it. To narrow down the search for your favorite berry/wine color, scroll down for the list compiled for the top 10 berry/wine lipsticks available in India.
1. Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Black Cherry – 599 INR (BUY HERE)
This Super Lustrous Crème lipstick from the house of Revlon is counted amongst one of the most popular wine/berry shade. The versatility lies in the color which suits every complexions so beautifully that it will make you feel like a diva! The lipstick is formulated with silk-enriched mega-moisturizers and vitamins, which keeps your lips soft and supple. This ultra-creamy saturated lip color is enriched with LiquiSilk technology that moisturizes your lips and boosts hydration. For the price, I would say this is a steal!
Wine and Forever from the range of Maybelline Superstay 14 Hrs Lipstick is one of the popular lipstick and also a dupe of Kylie Jenner berry lip color. It is a deep plum/berry wine with hints of maroon in it. The lipstick has 14 hour long lasting formula with ultra-light texture that glides on the lips like a dream. The pigmentation is rich and intense and successfully hides every layer of discolorations on the lips. It is incredibly comfortable to wear all day long with satin matte finish with luxurious texture and vivid color.
3. Sugar Vivid Matte Lipstick Big Bang Berry – 599 INR
Sugar Vivid Matte Lipstick Big Bang Berry is a beautiful purple tones berry color devoid of any shimmers. It is, by far, the best and comfortable matte formula I have come across with such an implausible texture that glides on the lips without tugging yet that a gel-matte formula to it. The shade is best suitable for medium to dusky Indian complexions. The lipstick is extremely long wearing and price point is great.
If you are looking for a pretty rich berry shade with a blue/purple pearl undertones, then Streetwear Color Rich Ultra Moist Lipstick Berrylicious is the one for you. The texture is beautiful with soft satin formula and without any gaudy shimmers. It’s not very hydrating but it’s not drying either. The lipstick has a faint vanilla scent with a soft satin finish to it. The color is also long wearing and a great budget friendly berry/wine color.
5. MAC Satin Rebel Lipstick – 1450 INR
A lipstick compilation is incomplete without the inclusion of a MAC lip color. MAC Satin Rebel is deep plum shade with rich berry red undertones that augment on to the intensity of the shade on the lips. The texture is startlingly intense and incredibly comfortable to wear all day long. The color saturation is great and single swipe gives you the rich and dark color. The staying power is also commendable and moisturizing on the lips that doesn’t accentuates on fine lines.
The Soft Matte Lip Crème of NYX are the all-time hits and counted among the best matte lipsticks. I recently came across this color in this blog itself (Sahiba’s review and swatches) and loved the color. It is a dark berry with a deep plum undertones. The color will be a flattering one on any Indian complexion, especially for special occasions. It doesn’t make your lips feel dry and gives you a smooth and matte finish. Further, the lip color is extremely long lasting and highly pigmented.
7. MAC Media Lipstick – 1450 INR
Another stunning lip color from the house of MAC. MAC Media is a stunning deep burgundy plum color. It has a very creamy and smooth texture but not shining and glossy. The pigmentation is praiseworthy with two swipes and great when paired with neutral eye makeup and most mauve / pink blushes. With the signature vanilla scent of MAC, this lip color stays for a very long time without getting patchy. It will also suit all skin tones easily when worn correctly.
The Persistent Plum is a beautiful wine shade with a touch of plum which makes it an ideal shade for brides and winter occasions. It is also a great warm wine color for Indian complexions. The lip color gives an intense pigmentation is a single swipe and will effortlessly cover any lip pigmentation. The hydrating vitamin E locks in moisture while to give your lips nonstop moisturization and yet has a satin finish on the lips. The lip color is extremely long wearing but doesn’t feather or bleed.
9. Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Wine Not – 599 INR (BUY HERE)
The Super Lustrous Matte range has the color Wine Not, a deep wine red color with slight brown accents that looks gorgeously for any winter and bridal occasion. It glides easily on lips evenly and without any tugs and gives a comforting matte finish. The lip color does not feel dry or settle in fine lines and you can easily skip the lip liner if you want. It is extremely long wearing and one of the best wine colored lipstick with such an impressive price tag.
This lip color, Grape Wine is a beautiful deep plum with pink undertones. It is enriched with sun filter and exotic botanical butter formula to make your lips smoother and suppler than ever. Although the name suggest matte, it has a satin formula without any obvious creaminess though it glides on the lips like a dream. The color stays well for good 5-6 hours after the application. It doesn’t accentuates on fine lines and has a admirable staying power without bleeding.
If you want to have own just one berry shade in your stash, the L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Lipstick in Sonam’s Pure Garnet is an absolute must have! Just buy that and you are sorted. It is the most unique and universally flattering deep berry shade. This shade also won the Vogue Beauty Award last year and I always get complimented and asked what shade I am wearing, when I have that on! Definitely try it or just buy it 😀
