The Zotiqq jewellery subscription box is priced at Rs.1500/- per month but if you go for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months subscription, you get an amazing deal!
Feb box theme was ‘Aqua’ or ‘Sea Animals’, I think it is dedicated to ‘Pisces’. The box as usual comes in a deep navy blue and beige super sturdy box. You can store all your jewellery in it later too. Each item comes individually packed in plastic wrapping.
What I got:
A black star fish textured statement necklace
A bronze textured star fish ring
Pearl double sided strand earrings
A sea horse pendant long chain
Blue rope bracelet with an orange algae shaped hanging charm
The sea horse pendant long chain is perfect for your t shirts and sweaters. I absolutely loved the earrings, they would work with so many dresses and are super light yet chic at the same time.
The starfish ring makes quite a statement covering the entire finger beautifully, it looks like the ring is hugging your finger 😀
The mono colored black statement necklace will make a mark on a mono colored outfit i.e. all white or all green/blue. And the bracelet would work with your casual wear.
These are quite unique and interesting pieces and loved how they are combined together for the Aqua theme. I see myself wearing the ring and earrings a lot.
Definitely worth checking out the Feb Zotiqq box. I can’t wait for the March box now, looking forward to the new theme.
Have you tried the Zotiqq Jewellery Subscription box yet?
Hello everyone! I am a complete eye shadow junkie. Palettes are my favorites and I swear by Rimmel and Sleek Makeup for eye shadows. Now-a-days eye makeup looks are the biggest ‘in’ thing and we love to add the dash of eye to brighten up the entire makeup look. The whole aura of any eye makeup look – be it a smoky and sultry or simple neutral eye makeup, you need some really good pigmented eye shadows. In my opinion, the Indian market really lacks budget friendly pigmented eye shadows. Be it palette or mono pans, whichever decent product is there, it is priced very high. There is another thing I noticed is that the shades are very repetitive and mattes are almost missing. Nevertheless, today I have compiled the top 12 eye shadows available in India (online and retail) which are pretty economical.
1. Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick – 415 INR
These are my favorite eye shadow sticks and I love the kind of colors they. From matte browns to beige and deep blues and greens – they have it all. It comes in a chubby fat sharpenable pencils. The texture is so smooth that it glides like a dream and blends very easily. Pigmentation is top notch and single swipe gives you the saturated color. It gives you enough time to smudge and set the color and then doesn’t budge at all. It is thoroughly water proof and smudge proof as well. The colors, when set properly, hardly creases (after 9-10hours) and can also be used a base for powder eye shadow. For the price, they are a steal. (P.S: Bronze is my Favourite!)
2. Makeup Revolution Single Eyeshadow – 295 INR (BUY HERE for 234)
Makeup Revolution has been one phenomenal budget friendly brand and has got popular among various bloggers. A lot of e-commerce sites have been stocking their mono eyeshadows and palettes and we love the variety they have. The mono eye shadows and pigments in particular are very convenient to use. They are richly pigmented, blends really well and doesn’t crease much on the lids. These are appropriate for creating various makeup looks and lasts longer on the lids without fading off.
3. NYX Single Eyeshadow – (300-400 INR)
They have a variety of matte, pearl, shimmers and duo chrome eye shadows to choose from. There are numerous colors and quite some popular ones as well. The packaging is sturdy and great for travelling. The texture is good and gives a nice color pay off. From shimmers to matte and neon, you will get every possible color. These are ideal for beginners and they perform wonderfully. You can also try the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils(Review HERE) which are equally raved among beauty bloggers. (P.S: Absolutely love ‘Yogurt’, works amazing to highlight inner corners and brow bone. The shade ‘Milk’ acts as a perfect eyeshadow base for lighter shadows)
4. Inglot Single Eye shadow single – 550 INR (They have raised the price to 550 INR, also they discontinued the round refills which were a bit cheaper. Now they only have square ones) (Some available on Nykaa & on MajorBrands HERE)
When Inglot was available online, I couldn’t be happier about it. The only reason was to shop eyeshadows. They have an amazing collection of eyeshadow pans and most of them are great dupes for MAC (MAC eyeshadows costs a bomb!). The Inglot Freedom System palette is also available which enables you to choose the perfect color combination palette you want in your life. They have pearl, shimmery as well as matte finish and more than 400 shades to choose from. The texture is wonderful to blend in and pigmentation is top notch. They hardly crease and stay put the whole day. You can also try their rainbow pans (consisting of three hues of a same color)
5. Coloressence Single Eye Shadow – 170 to 200 INR (BUY HERE)
Coloressence is quite a well-known brand in the market and they have some really good products. One of them is the mono eyeshadow collection which comes in a durable black casing. The numbers of colors in this range is slightly low comparatively but the quality is surely great to work with. They have pearly and satin matte collection and some of the very famous are the gold, burgundy, blue, black and brown. These are soft in texture and I found pigmentation is superb with one swipe.
6. Colorbar Emphaseyes Eyeshadows (Available in 27 shades and priced at Rs.550/-) and Emphaseyes Baked Eyeshadows(Available in 10 shades and priced at Rs.599/-)
Versatility of Colorbar is surely enthralling. All the finishes from matte to pearly to high shimmer available in both the ranges and hence you can create a lot eye makeup looks with these. With a proper blend of ingredients, the texture is satin smooth and a commendable pay off for your eyes. The baked eyeshadow can also be applied wet which gives an insane color pay off and rich effect to the eyes. The fall out issues are minimal and the long lasting formula makes these totally a winner.
7. Revlon Colorstay Shadow Links Eye Shadow- INR 195 (BUY HERE for 165) (Review & Swatches HERE)
If you are a beginner or want to create your own customized palette without bankrupting, this is the one for you. You can buy any desirable shade from the collection of 15 available shades and attached with one another to create the exact palette you want. The texture is smooth and really workable. Again some of them are super pigmented and nice, plus pretty economical. Definitely check out the shades Bhumika has swatched and the Copper and Gold shade is what she swears by!
8. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Mono Eyeshadows – INR 525 (Review & Swatches HERE and HERE)
With a small tub packaging, these mono eyeshadows from L’Oréal are incredibly good. It has the velvet powdery texture and soft and silky formula which glide on the lids like a dream. The pigmentation is very good and it gives a rich satin look to the eyelids. The staying power of 8-9hrs is truly praiseworthy and hardly creases even without primer. Most of the shades have metallic effect and the sheen is gorgeous for very occasion. This is one of the best quality eyeshadow available in India with such reasonable price tag. Bhumika has already reviewed the Endless Chocolate which is a stunning brown for warm skin tones. (P.S: Also love All Night Blue which is the most gorgeous blue eyeshadow in my stash)
9. MUA Makeup Academy Single Eyeshadow – 431 INR
MUA makes some really eyeshadows and be the palette or singles, each of them were great. The single eyeshadows, available in 34 amazing shades with a wide range of mattes and pearly touches, helps you creating a variety of looks for both day and night. The texture is extremely soft and super blendable and the color payoff is pretty impressive. The matte black (20) is greatly pigmented rich matte black for the smoky looks while the brown (19) can be used for neutrals and crease effect.
10. Freedom Makeup London Mono Eyeshadow – 350 INR
Very recently I bought few shades from their collection and I have to agree, they are great value for money. Comes in small round packaging, there are available in mattes, pearly (glided collection) and also certain base shades. The base shades are perfect for creating an even canvas or simple winged liner look. All the shades are well pigmented with soft textures, smooth and easy to apply for an everyday look.
11. Oriflame The One Cream Eyeshadow – 449 INR (Review & Swatches HERE)
Cream eye shadows are so beautiful and easy to work with that you won’t know until you use one! The Oriflame The One Cream Eyeshadows are available with a very reasonable price tag and definitely check out the swatches done by Bhumika. The color payoff is extremely rich, intense and creamy and the texture is so forgiving that anyone will find it easy to work with. Bhumika feels that these are just perfect to use when you are in a hurry, just blend, layer and set and you are good to go for the day.
12. Deborah Milano 24Ore Velvet Eye Shadow – 395 INR
Deborah Milano has some pretty beautiful shadows available in singles, duos and quad. Thse eyeshadows have a satin soft texture and gives a beautiful finish to the eye makeup looks. The pigmentation is worth talking about and when you use the eyeshadows in the wet form, you would notice the thrilling intensity of it. All the shades are so beautifully matches with the Indian skin tones is that, one wouldn’t be enough for you at all. It stays fairly long even without primer and dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.
Editor’s Note: I love this list, have quite a few from the above. Absolutely love the Oriflame Cream one and the L’Oreal Infallible Monos. I used to love the Maybelline Color Tattoo, sadly they are discontinued now but I still have and love the Bad to the Bronze and Pomegranate Punk.
Which is your favourite eyeshadow? From this list?
L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Review & FOTD
Hi guys,
If you have not seen the L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Swatches yet, go HERE.
Today I would be reviewing these lipsticks and the L’Extrordinaire Mat Lip Colours.
L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star Moist Mat Lipstick – Rs.990/-
L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star L’Extraordinaire Mat Lip Colors – Rs 950/-
To start with the packaging, the Moist Mat lipsticks come in a regular matte black packaging with the gold band at the center. The texture as the name suggests is moist mat, they are velvet matte in texture. The shades in this range need a bit of layering, with 2-3 swipes you get the perfect opaque coverage but for pigmented lips, you will need to layer more. Also the lighter shades in this range are slightly less pigmented than the darker ones and would work for fair skin tones only, they will wash out the medium/wheatish skin tone. The lipsticks also deepen on the lips and get a bit darker after 5-10 minutes of application.
The lipsticks are neither drying nor moisturizing, you will need to exfoliate your lips and apply a lip balm and blot it before using these otherwise it would accentuate dry patches and fine lines on the lips. These do not transfer much and surprisingly stay well. The lipsticks stay for 3-4 hours on me and leave behind a deep stain which again stays for 1-2 hours.
L- Liya, R- J. LoL- Sonam, R- Julianne
Coming to the L’Extraordinare Mat Lip Colours, they come in the square packaging with the color peeping through the centre. The doe shaped wand applicator picks the right amount of product and is flexible to spread the product evenly on the lips in one coat. These are quite pigmented and feel moisturizing and buttery. The finish comes out glossy and it needs some time to settle down to a matte finish, about 20-25 minutes. Only one swipe gives a full opaque coverage, I did not have to dip the wand in the gloss again. The finish is not completely matte but semi-matte, these stay for about 2 hours and again leave behind a nice stain, especially the deeper color Julianne.
I like all the dark shades from this collection, they compliment medium skin tones really well. I would recommend the shades Liya, Eva, J. Lo and Julianne for mostly all skin tones. Sonam, Katrina and Aishwarya for slightly fairer skin tones.
Here are all the looks..
LiyaJulianneJ.LoSonamKatrina
Overall I would say some of these lipsticks are an absolute must have, try it at the counters, I am sure you will end up buying 1-2 shades. Though the price is slightly on the higher side, the qty is quite good with the lipsticks being 4.2g and the lip colours being 5.5ml.
Rating: (Lipsticks)
Quality: 3.75/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Rating: (Mat Lip Colours)
Quality: 3.5/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Which shade did you like the most? Do let me know in the comments below.
Types of Anarkalis & Choosing Anarkali for your Body Type
Hi guys,
When it comes to Indian wear, anarkalis have been back in fashion since the past 5-6 years and they are still in trend, I don’t think that trend is going anywhere. Simply because they are super comfortable and easy to wear for weddings, etc. too. Anarkali is the only outfit which is traditional Indian wear and yet very comfortable to wear and roam around in 😀 When you get best of both worlds, stick to it.
Today I am talking about different types of anarkalis and how to choose one according to your body type.
1. Cotton Anarkali
These are the most simple and basic kinds, which you can wear to work or a light function. Comfortable yet traditional and very light. There are many options of anarkali suits online by BIBA and on Myntra, Jabong, etc.
2. Silk Anarkali
Silk ones can be a little heavier or lighter depending on the embellishments on it, but certainly expensive. You can go for the lighter silk ones for a daytime function and the heavier ones for some big function or wedding.
3. Asymmetric Anarkali
Asymmetric Anarkalis are quite in trend and look chic too. These again can be in lighter cotton ones or heavier silk or bridal ones. I love how it is shorter in the front and slightly longer behind, this would work on short girls too. I know how it is difficult to find a anarkali when you are short. Been there :/
4. Layered Anarkali
Again just like the asymmetric ones, layered ones are also pretty IN and I absolutely love them. They give a jacket kind of look or 2-3 layers which are shorter and keep on increasing in length. Currently the mesh capes are quite in trend and would look good over an anarkali too.
5. Bridal Anarkali
Now this is something very heavy, Sikh brides usually wear a suit or anarkali during their Anand Karaj. They can opt for a super heavy embellished anarkali. Also if you want to wear one for your mehendi or sangeet, the bridal ones are perfect.
Choosing an Anarkali according to body type
Inverted Triangle- If you have an inverted triangle body type i.e top heavy with broad shoulders, avoid boat necks, high neck collars or bulky shoulder patterns as that will bring more attention towards the broad shoulders.
Hourglass- Well if you have an hourglass figure, all anarkalis will look fabulous on you. Just make sure it accentuates your waist well and the flare starts below the waist.
Apple shaped- If you are apple shapes, wear empire line silhouettes in anarkalis which means the flare starting just below your waist which will help you hide your core problem area.
Pear shaped- If you have a well defined waist, then you can go for anarkalis starting below the waist and the flare will hide your lower problem area or else again empire line will work the best.
Short, petite girls- If you are short or petite, go for shorter kurtas with less flare as you don’t want the anarkali to look like a gown and neither like you wearing a tent.
If you are tall, anarkalis are made for you! You can wear them anytime, anywhere 😀
I hope this helped, do let me know in the comments below. If you are a bride-to-be, keep these tips in mind and choose an anarkali according to your body type.
Do you like Anarkalis? Which is your favourite type?
Aloe Veda Distil Cold Pressed Hexane Free Castor Oil Review
By Pallavi
Hello Beauties,
Here i am with yet another one of my cult products. I like products which you can use in multiple ways. And some time back the concepts of oils have been quite a hit. You can use them in numerous ways be it on your hairs, skin or anywhere. Castor oil is one such significant oil. Since time immemorial people have been raving about this oil.
Actually, this oil is very thick and extremely sticky. And i have absolutely thin fine hairs. So, i thought that this oil will further weigh my hair down and i will have completely flat hair. But after researching a lot i thought that if i use this oil properly then, i will definitely get immense benefits out of this.
So, my first experience with this oil began with Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil. Read on to know how this fared on me and the multiple uses of this oil.
What the Company claims: Distil’s Castor Oil has many medicinal and curative uses. Contains ricinoleic acid that inhibits many viruses and bacteria, and as castor oil is able to penetrate skin tissue deeply, this makes it an effective treatment for acne. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal properties of ricinoleic acid protects the scalp and hair from infections that can cause hair loss. The omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil nourish the hair and prevent the scalp from drying. Rubbing castor oil on your scalp and the roots of your hair will regenerate new hair growth and also thicken thinning hair within months. Rub in a small amount around your eyes and face before bed, washing it off the next morning. Castor Oil breaks up external and internal scar tissue and prevents new scars from forming. It softens rough or thickened skin, including calluses and corns and cures skin infections like athletes foot and ringworm. Rub a small amount of castor oil over your stomach and thighs daily to prevent stretchmarks during pregnancy or periods of weight gain.
Product description:
Effective Treatment for Acne
Promotes Hair Growth
Medicinal and Curative Uses
Penetrate Skin Tissue Deeply
Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungicidal
Prevents Hair Loss
Nourishes Hair
Prevent Scalp Dryness
Anti Scars
Anti Stretch Marks
Price: 225 INR for 200 ml.
Shelf life: 24 months from the date of packaging
My experience with Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil
Castor oil is one of the most famous oils available in market at present times. But people say that the best version of castor oil is cold pressed castor oil. This is believed to be the purest form of castor oil. Castor oil is thick in nature. So, actually you should buy it in the smallest bottle size, but i mistakenly bought the biggest one and it is lasting me since ages.
Anyways coming to this bottle it comes in thick plastic bottle which doesn’t breaks or spills oil even if thrown accidentally from a good height. The bottle has a little hole at the between which ensures little oil dispersion only. I use it on my hair. But i advise strongly not to use it directly, as it will make your hair too sticky and you will not be able to wash it off. So, i use these oils by blending it with other oils. This makes a very powerful connotation. This oil is believed to be hair growth stimulator. So, i have used it regularly on my eyebrow and you won’t believe i gained average amount of hair within a month or two. Many people use castor oil in their eyebrows every night.
Coming to the economy of this bottle single bottle will last you long enough. So, invest in the smaller one.
Good about Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil
Natural brand
Cold pressed form
Huge quantity
Affordable price
Multipurpose use
Doesn’t smell bad
Bad about Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil
None for me
Rating:
Availability : 4/5
Performance : 5/5
Overall rating : 4.5/5
Editor’s Note: Yes, many use castor oil every night on eyebrows and eye lashes, definitely recommend trying this you are looking to grow your eyebrows or want thicker eye lashes. Also as mentioned by you, mixing it with other oils for your hair. And the mix also works well on stretch marks. Nice review Pallavi 🙂 Also would like to mention I love some of the Aloe Veda products, their French Lavender Body Wash is my all time favourite!
Do you use castor oil? How do you use it and which one?
Top 10 Foundations for Oily Skin in India, Prices, Buy Online
By Sanchita
Summer is almost here and it is just a matter of a month now. With summer, comes back the oiliness, greasy feel and of course, the infamous breakouts. Therefore, the oily skinned beauties are always in hunt of oil-free foundation that would not only keep the oiliness at bay but also stay long. The oil secretion increases with the passage of time and the foundation along with the blush and bronzers also starts melting down, creating a big mess. Hence, choose the foundation very cautiously. With so new launched every month and the discontinuity of several products, it is very difficult to choose one product. Therefore, I have compiled the 10 best foundations for oil free look with various coverage. Let’s take a look at it.
1. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation – 525 INR (BUY HERE for 417) (Review coming soon)
The newest baby from the Maybelline. The brand is exceptional well in bringing out great products at a very budget friendly price tag. The foundation comes in 6 shades and most of them are warm toned, will specifically suit the Indian skin tones. They provide a medium to buildable coverage (bit not heavy) and gives a satin-matte finish. It makes the pores look slightly blurry and soft and has a very good oil control factor. For the price, it is wonderful choice for oil skin.
Another great foundation for oily skin from the very own desi brand Lakme. It is has the light whipped mousse texture, as the name suggest and blends on the skin like anything. The texture is so good that even a beginner would have no issues with the product. The coverage is sheer to medium with a soft matte finish and the presence of silicones aids in smoothening the pores. It looks just like your skin and great for everyday use.
3. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 – (APPROX. 1800 INR)
One of the popular and remarkable foundation of all times, is the MAC Studio Fix Fluid. MAC can provide you the best shade card and seldom people go wrong with the shades. The foundation has light weight silky texture, blends really smoothly and has a very good coverage. It also has certain special skin-conditioning ingredients yet looks completely matte. It absorbs and disperse oil and gives an airbrushes look to the skin. The wear time long and considered the best foundation for brides.
4. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Reno Liquid Foundation- 1325 INR (BUY HERE for 1126) (Review and Swatches HERE)
Bhumika has already tried, tested and reviewed the foundation and she believes it is a great foundation for oily skin. It has 11 shades with adequate warm and cool tones. The texture is nice to work and it is advisable by her to blend in with a damp brush or sponge. It feels completely matte on the skin, there is no shininess or dewiness with it. It gives a nice medium to heavy coverage without blocking the pores at all. It has SPF 18 but it doesn’t gives any whitish cast and also photographs well.
5. Bourjois Happy Light foundation – (APPROX. 1600 INR)
A light foundation tailored for the oily skin. It blends into the skin just like a natural coating with an airbrushed touch to it. It feels extremely light to wear it and doesn’t suffocate the pores at all. There isn’t any issue of breakouts and the foundation has several warm shades for the Indian skin. It gives a moderate to buildable coverage but won’t work much on stubborn acne marks. It has a soft dewy finish but not oily at all. It has an excellent wear time of 8-9hours.
6. L’Oréal Paris Nude Magic Liquid Powder Foundation – 899 INR (BUY HERE for 872)
A great liquid powder foundation for oily skin that works perfect for regular usage. It has a light and runny consistency that blends into the skin within no time, even with fingers! It gives a soft matte yet not a dull finish to the skin and spears very lightweight. It has sheer to buildable coverage and wont accentuates to fine lines and dry patches. It doesn’t oxidizes underneath a sunscreen and has a staying power of 5-6 hours.
7. Chambor Sheer Delight Ultra Matt Oil Free Foundation – 845 INR (BUY HERE)
This is something you won’t ever regret of buying. Considered one of the best foundations for oily skin, this one gives a sheer to medium coverage and looks ultra-smooth. Although the finish is matte, it provides a kind of healthy glow to the skin in no time. It is heat and sweat proof for a certain period of time and doesn’t oxidize. It is an ideal foundation for office wear and has a very good wear time of around 8-9 hours with minimal blotting.
Every product of Clinique is tailored for specific skin type and this matte foundation works incredibly well on oily skin. It has a gel-cream texture and available in 13 shades, from where you’re to get your match. The product blends in as easily as possible without any cakey or uneven finish. It is matte and also aids in controlling oil and shine on the face. It suits sensitive skin and there isn’t any issues about breakouts. The product also photographs very well in flash.
Many bloggers consider it their HG foundation and surely it has too many reason for it. it comes in 30 shades and has a petite packaging. It has a medium consistency liquid texture that blends generously and then sets into a matte finish. Despite having an SPF it photographs really well and hence, will work great for brides. It stays on the face for around 8-9hours without melting down or oxidizing. It gives a medium to buildable coverage and feels almost weightless. Although the price is slightly high, but you won’t mind splurging on this at all.
10. Revlon Colorstay Makeup 24 Hour Combination/Oily Skin Foundation – 974 INR (BUY HERE for 895)
Revlon has some very good range of foundations and Colorstay is one of them. It has a light and water proof texture that blends seamlessly with damp brush or sponge and gives a soft matte finish to the skin. This foundation has two variants – one for dry skin while the other for Combination/Oily Skin. This is another great choice for problematic skin and gives a medium to heavy coverage. It photographs exceptionally well and doesn’t oxidize. It is available in shades and perfect for Indian skin tones.
Editor’s Note: Again a super helpful and nice compilation Sanchita. I have combination skin and love the L’Oreal Infallible. Currently trying the Maybelline Fit Me one which is also the cheapest in this list, super economical!
P.S: I just realized this is our 2000th post 😀
Which is your favourite foundation? Your suggestion for foundation for oily skin? Leave them in the comments below.
Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 Review
By Archana
Hi all,
Today, I am reviewing a sunscreen from the brand Nature’s Essence. They have a wide variety of products at very budget-friendly prices. All their products are made primarily with natural ingredients. This is possibly one of the cheapest sunscreens available in the market. Read on to know how the ‘Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60’ fares.
Products claims: SUNBAN is a moisturizing sun protection lotion which provides full spectrum protection to the skin from UV rays. The natural added extract protects the skin against suntan. Good for all skin types. Can be used on all skin types.
Directions to use: Apply Sunban lotion on face, neck and other exposed parts of body before going out. Avoid contact with eye area.
Packaging: The sunscreen comes in a yellow squeezable tube packaging with a flip-open cap. Nothing fancy in the packaging but a basic functional one. Its convenient to be carried around in your handbag without any fear of leakage. But one thing though, the cap seems to be flimsy and it broke within few uses as you can see in the pics.
Texture and fragrance: The sunscreen is sandal-colored with a slightly thick and creamy consistency. It has a mild herbal fragrance which is not bothersome. The fragrance proves that it contain natural extracts unlike other sunscreens I have used which usually have a chemical smell.
My experience: I have always chosen sunscreens based on the SPF factor. But till now I have never heard of TPI factor. So I googled around a bit and found that TPI is Tan Protection Index. Basically SPF helps to protect the skin against UV rays, cancer and sun burns. Whereas TPI specifically helps to protect the skin from tanning. This was a new info to me.
So coming back to this sunscreen from Nature’s Essence, this has both SPF and TPI. It takes a little time to blend it in completely. Though it appears tinted, after applying there is no tint whatsoever and it gives a natural finish. Unlike other sunscreens, this doesn’t leave any whitish cast. I have oily-combination skin and I find it little heavy and greasy for use nowadays as summers have started. Within 3-4 hours, my face starts becoming oily. I think it might be more suitable during winters. Dry skin people can use it year around.
Now the strange thing that I have observed is, although it claims of TPI 60 and SPF 30, I am still getting tanned. I don’t know if it is just me or anyone else too felt it, but overtime of trying out different sunscreens, I have observed that those from higher end brands like Avene, Vichy, TBS, etc. or even mid-range brands like Neutrogena, Plum, Christine Valmy, etc even if they have lower SPF of 20, they seem to prevent tanning to a large extent, while those from budget brands, though they claim of higher SPFs, they fail to prevent much tanning. Am not sure about it, but I feel sunscreen is one product where the ones with completely natural ingredients might not really be effective. While we can opt for natural products in face washes, face packs, shampoos, etc., when it comes to sunscreens I don’t think they are much effective. Its just my observation. Please share your views and experiences with natural sunscreens in the comments below.
Pros:
* Doesn’t leave any whitish cast.
* Has TPI along with SPF .
* Contains goodness of natural ingredients like aloevera, turmeric and basil.
* Suitable for normal-dry skin.
* Very affordable.
Cons:
* Might not suit oily/combination skin.
* Not much effective in preventing tan.
* Complete ingredients list missing.
Price and quantity: Rs.95 for 60ml.
Rating: 3.7/5
Verdict: Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 is a very budget-friendly sunscreen with natural ingredients. But the results are average and its not very effective in preventing tan. Maybe if you are spending most time indoors, you can try it. But skip it if you spend more time under sun or going on a vacation or beach holiday.
Editor’s Note: That’s a fabulous review Archana, from whatever little I have read, heard and interacted with dermatologists, they all say sunscreens are good for protection but they cannot prevent skin from tanning. I am not sure how TPI works but I haven’t heard of any full proof sunscreen which prevents absolute tanning when you are out in the harsh skin for a long time. I remember using the Avene SPF50 spray all over my body during the Beauty & The Blogger shoot and we were out in the super harsh summer sun from 11 to 3 and I get tanned super easily, the area of the skin within the clothes and the area exposed to sun went black and white literally, that tan took almost 8-9 months to go away completely! So to prevent tan, one has to be covered and protected all the time, sunscreen will only help in protecting and this one sounds good for winters or for dry skin.
Sorry for the long rant 😀
Have you tried the Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60?
Faces Ultime Pro Metaliglow Opal, Champagne Review, Swatches
Hi guys,
Today I am reviewing something which can give us that glow we all desire 😉 Yes, a highlighter. I love highlighters and I am obsessed with them especially liquid ones coz you can use them in a numerous ways.
Faces Metaliglow is an old product which they have revamped and brought the new Ultime Pro Metaliglow in this pump packaging, of course with a new price too. Is it worth investing in? Read on to know..
What the Company claims: Faces Metaliglow is a gel based illuminator that glides easily, brightens the complexion and adds instant luminosity. Ultrafine light-reflecting pearls melts into the skin for a polished, natural-looking radiance. It has high percentage of thin pearls to deliver a precious, homogeneous glow. Its aqua based formula leaves a cooling effect on your face. It is dermatologically tested and paraben free.
Metaliglow can be used alone or mixed with a lotion to be used all over your face and body to highlight and create a sun-kissed, bronzed look for a sexier you!
Use it as a highlighter or just pat it over your foundation for a subtle glow.
Ingredients:
Shades Available:
Opal
Champagne
Topaz
MRP: Rs.799/- (Available online on Nykaa)
It comes in this sleek packaging with a black cap and a silver pump dispensor. The pump dispensor is anyday better than the previous packaging which required you to physically remove the product and must have led to a lot of wastage and messiness.
The shade Opal has a silver sheen and is the lightest, would work well for lighter skin tones.
The shade Champagne has a golden champagne sheen and is the mid shade, this would work for all skin tones, especially Indian warm skin tones.
The shade Topaz has a rose gold sheen and is the darkest, would work for medium to dusky skin tones.
I have the shades Opal and Champagne with me today. Talking about the texture, these are quite runny and feel gel like in texture, but are super light and blend easily. But once set, it doesn’t budge, so blend quickly and don’t let it dry. The swatches on my hand were quite difficult to remove.
It gives the softest glow ever, you cannot go overboard with this, as the shimmer is ultra-fine and not even much visible, just giving a beautiful highlight to your face. It never looks heavy or stark. This is the perfect highlighter even for day time.
It stays almost throughout the day, I have worn it for about 8-9 hours and it lasted well.
You can either mix it with your foundation or directly apply it over the foundation on the highest points of your cheeks or do both. See the complete strobing step by step tutorial HERE. You can even layer this with a powder highlighter for more hold and glow.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this, coz the quantity is pretty good for the price, and there are very few good highlighters available in India especially liquid. This is one of the best in the market currently and the shade Champagne would be universally flattering and work for everyone.
Rating:
Quality: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Would I buy it again: Yes
Have you checked out or tried the new Faces Ultime Pro Metaliglow Highlighters yet?
Top 10 Matte Red Lipsticks for Indian Skin, Prices, Buy Online
By Sanchita
I am sure all of us are aware of the saying that, red lipstick is to women what sports cars are for men. Definition of red lipstick is different to every woman. To me, it symbolizes power. Every woman (must) have a red lipstick in her stash. It has the power to glam up any look and instantly brightens up the face like anything. It adds a sophisticated touch to every look and the beauty of it is undeniable. It has the panache and classiness of a confident woman, playfulness of carefree little girl inside every one of us and bold and fierceness to rule the world. From Hollywood to Bollywood, we have seen and admired the Divas sporting the dashing and gorgeous red lips all you have to do is choose the right kind of ‘red’ and see how it rocks your world.
So, to lessen down the burden of hunting the best ‘red’ for those sexy pouts, here’s the list of top 10 red lipstick for Indian skin tones.
Mostly all shades are matte and long staying, click on the links to read reviews or see swatches or click on ‘Buy here’ to buy it online and some at amazing deals.
1. MAC RUBY WOO – 1450 INR
This is, by far, the best of the best red you can choose with your eyes closed. The mystery behind this one is still undiscovered that how a single shade of red can look ‘drop-dead’ gorgeous irrespective of every skin tone and complexion. When in doubt, choose Ruby Woo because it can never disappoint you, like ever! It has a rich and intense matte texture but glides on the lips like velvet. The price might haunt you for some time but once you wear it, you can never go back to another red.
2. SUGAR MATTE AS HELL SCARLET O’HARA – 799 INR(BUY HERE) (Read Review of the Range HERE)
The brand brought forward four signature matte lip crayons and trust me, it was a heart wrenching condition to choose one. The Scarlet O’Hara is the ‘on-the-face’ bright shade of red, perfect to make you look like a diva! The shade is like a rockstar which has all the ability to take all the limelight alone. When you’re wearing this, make sure to keep the other makeup minimal. The staying power is phenomenal and an excellent choice for the brides.
3. FACES ULTIME PRO MATTE LIP PENCIL MIDNIGHT ROSE – 799 INR(BUY HERE) (Review and Swatches HERE)
They are reds that make you look like stunning and there are the ones which are bright and eventful. Well, the Midnight Rose is something which gives you the power and confidence like no other. It slightly a darkened maroon red lip color, with gorgeous color pay off and simply an epitome of awesomeness. The texture is creamy smooth with a velvet matte finish. It doesn’t budge a bit and stay put literally the whole day. It is a must-have and highly recommend color of 2015!
4. LOREAL LINCOLN ROSE – 925 INR (BUY HERE for 799) (Review and Swatches HERE)
The shade was an instant hit when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore it to Cannes. The packaging is gorgeous and so is the shade. It is pink based red which is moderately bright and perfect for both day and night time. The texture is comfortably creamy and settles into a matte finish and wears a long time. It is leaves behind a sweet trail red on the lips after being faded. The color is extremely sweet and feminine and if you are not comfortable with ultra-bright and hot reds, you can go for this.
5. REVLON MATTE REALLY RED – 599 INR
The Matte range of Revlon has some seriously gorgeous reds that have been continuing till today since 1951. The Really Red is a blue based bright tomato red that has the hint of rich and intense color. It is one of the rarest blue-based red that look flattering of warm Indian skin tones and another bridal red. The texture is like a creamy comfortable matte and extremely easy on dry and parched lips. A classy shade of red with a great wear time.
6. LAKME 9 TO 5 MATTE LIP COLOR -RED COAT – 450 INR (BUY HEREfor 365)
This red lipstick from the 9 to 5 range of Lakme is a pretty semi-bright deep blue-based red. It has no shimmers or glitter speckles and tailored for an alluring matte finish. It is, again, a pretty bridal red for matte lovers and looks pretty good on fair to dusky skin tones. However, the darker complexions with warm undertones might not be able to pull it off very well. This is like a classic red lipstick from the 90s and still beautiful.
Deborah Milano Rosetto Atomic Red Mat 05 is a deep cherry red that gives a powder matte finish, very close to the Chambor Powder Matte range. The color has a neutral undertone and a gorgeous choice for any occasion. It is very close color to the reputable MAC Ruby Woo (not a dupe!). It doesn’t feel uncomfortable on lips or accentuates to fine lines as well. The color fades off leaving a reddish tint on the lips.
8. COLORBAR VELVET MATTE LIPSTICK, HOT HOT HOT – 325 INR (BUY HERE)
This is best budget friendly red you can have in your life. It is bright and bold true red with no undertones at all. It has a creamy-matte finish and elusive silver packaging. In fact, this is one of the hot selling Reds of the brands and you can also try out the Hearts and Tarts as well. The versatility of the color is that it is tailored for every complexion and very easy to pull off even though it is bright and audacious.
This is an all-time-favorite red with neutral undertones. In fact, I would go on call it a classic red as this is a sort of color a girl would love to wear endlessly. The texture is a winner with its powder matte finish and a single swipe or two of the color will give some gorgeous pout you have to waiting for. If there’s any no.2 red lipstick in my collection after Ruby Woo, it will be Rubis Rouge.
The color is a vibrant red with slightly blue undertones. However, the color is so stunning that will flatter no matter what skin tone or complexion you have. The magnificent semi-glossy texture with a promising wear time of 8hrs, the color is a stunner in its own way. It is extremely lightweight and doesn’t bleed at all. Hence, you does need a primer or lip liner underneath. It is rich and pigmented and has absolutely nothing to complain about.
Bonus 11: L’Oreal Paris Pure Red Lipstick in Freida’s Pure Rouge – INR 995 (BUY HERE for 746) (Review & Swatches HERE)
Again a beautiful, universally flattering red which will work on majority skin tones. It instantly brightens up your face while Aishwarya’s Pure Brick is more of a warm brick brown, Pure Rouge is the only shade from the entire Pure Reds Range that is a true, deep, pure red!
Editor’s Note: Wow, that was quite a list!! Loving every shade here. I only own Ruby Woo, Pure Rouge and Midnight Rose from the above :/ But absolutely love Ruby Woo and suggest each and everyone to own that shade! Revlon Really Red has been on my wishlist since years, always forget or it’s OOS. Few I would like to add to this list are L’Oreal Paris Infallible Lipsticks in Ravishing Red and Refined Ruby (Not Matte but long staying), Maybelline 14H SuperStay Lipstick in Non Stop Red (INR 575- BUY HERE for 460) and Diana of London 2000 Kisses Lipstick in Red Nature.
Which is your favourite red lipstick? Is it from this list?
Kryolan TV Paint Stick Foundation Review, Swatches
By Sanchita
INTRODUCTION – I have heard so much about Kryolan from every other MUAs I have met that I had to try out this brand. One thing that draws me closer to this is the innumerable shades that they offer. Getting the perfect match for a foundation and concealer is like a dream come true for every girl (Okhay! I exaggerated that :P) I do not have such skin issues but I have worst possible dark circles that surely needs to be corrected and concealed well. Last week I paid a visit to the store and picked up the TV Paint Stick Foundation in the shade FS 28.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION – Successfully proven cream make-up in stick form. The special base of TV Paint Stick allows a gentle make-up application that provides effective covering at the same time. The Kryolan assortment of more than 250 color nuances for selection is truly extraordinary – which makes this preparation indispensable for stage, film, TV, video work and more.
PRICE – 1000 INR for 25g
Ingredients:
MY REVIEW
Packaging – The Kryolan TV Paint Stick Foundation comes in a dull silver and grey packaging. It has a screw cap and the foundation is in the form of a stick which needs to be twisted up like a lipstick. The packaging is surely efficient but if I have to go for the looks, I am not much impressed. The hygiene factor is also there as you have to use fingers every time. The printed mask reminds me of ‘V for Vendetta’ which surely isn’t something I want on my makeup. Nevertheless, it is light weight and completely travel friendly. The foundation has a weird smell but nothing to put you off completely. It isn’t very overpowering as well so I wouldn’t complain much.
Shade – Coming the shade, it is FS 21. They have countless shades so you really have to choose carefully. This shade I am reviewing today, will suit mostly NC 42-45 and I am actually NC 41. Hence, it comes off as slightly darker on me so I simple use it on the outer perimeter of my face, conveniently skipping the bronzer. However, it works as a great concealer, provided you know the application well. It has strong yellow-peach undertones and hence will be an excellent choice for warm Indian skin tones. It has some deep shades as well which you can use for contouring.
Texture – the texture is thick and unless you are well accustomed with foundations, I would say – stay away from this one. It is in the form of a pan cake stick and the texture is thick. However, it isn’t very hard to deal with if follow certain procedures. The texture makes it slightly time consuming to blend, especially if you have dry and patchy skin. Therefore, use a good moisturizer and primer underneath. It doesn’t have SPF and there isn’t any white cast spelled on the face.
Application – before the application, make sure you have well moisturized canvas to paint this one. The best way to apply this TV Paint Stick is to use fingers and damp sponge. Warm up the product between your fingers and apply on a small area (do not load up too much products at a time). Now, take the damp sponge and keep buffing unless, you see this blending onto the skin. This is a tip I learnt from the MUAs that for this kind of thick texture, it is better to buff with a sponge than drag and blend. For eyes also, warm up the product and softly pat to blend in.
Coverage – coverage is medium to heavy. It has the ability to conceal acne, scars, dark circles (even the worst cases), pigmentation and the list goes on forever. In fact, coverage is the best thing for which the TV Paint Stick is famous for. It doesn’t look ashy or uneven or unnatural, but good coverage to hide and conceal any blemish whatsoever. It is great for a difficult skin which suffers from flaws and also for the wedding and party purposes.
Finish – I have oily skin and the foundation look dewy to transforms to oily in an hour. Therefore, you have to set it with a good powder (preferably loose) and then you are good to go. Dry skin won’t need a powder except for under eyes as it looks dewy on them. I use the Kryolan TL4 which is a yellow base powder to give a brightening effect to the matte skin.
Criticism – the foundation has certain bad points as well. It is very heavy and doesn’t let the skin breathe at all. It blocks the pores very badly and hence, every time I use this, I end up with tiny zits all around the face. So, this isn’t a foundation to be worn every day. The product wont suit sensitive and acne-prone skin so be cautious when you pick this up. For those, you can try the Dermacolor range which is equally good and oil free.
Staying Power – the foundation stays pretty well and survives around 7 hours even during summer. It doesn’t melt down and create a mess but I always use blotting paper or powder touch ups when I feel that the skin is getting slightly oily. It is also water proof as well.
OVERALL – the foundation is multipurpose and efficient. It has high coverage, dewy finish for dry skin and great staying power. On the downside, it takes a lot of time and effort to blend and break outs due to its thickness. For the price, the amount will last a long time.
WHAT I LIKED:
Handy and travel friendly packaging.
Countless shades to choose from.
Can be used as foundation, bronzer and concealer.
Blends well into the skin
Heavy coverage and doesn’t look unnatural if applied properly.
Dewy finish for dry skin and can be made matte with loose powder.
Staying power of around 7 hours.
Sweat proof.
A little amount will last a long time and hence it is surely value for money.
WHAT I DISLIKED:
Dull and unhygienic packaging.
Not for beginners as it requires a lot of techniques to blend in.
Breaks out on skin due to heavy texture.
Can’t be used as a regular foundation.
RATING – 3/5
RECOMMENDATION – I have a love and hate relationship with this. Due to the breakout issues, I simply don’t use it very often but only when I want to opt for heavy coverage for special occasion. Normal to dry skin can use it well with proper moisturization and blending and for others, but only if you are looking for super heavy natural coverage.
Editor’s Note: I have heard so much about this Sanchita, and I always wanted to try. But then again I am not much into super heavy coverage and usually prefer water based and light foundations. Though I feel this is perfect for someone who has to be photographed or has to be in front of the camera all the time.
Have you tried the Kryolan TV Paint Stick Foundation yet?
