Tag Archives: mumbai blogger

OPPO F1 Plus Selfie Expert Review, Comparision

OPPO F1 Plus Selfie Expert Review, Comparision

Gadgets, Lifestyle, OPPO, Reviews, Tech, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

OPPO F1 Plus Selfie Expert Review, Comparision

Hi guys,

If you remember I reviewed the OPPO F1 phone before, see HERE. They had announced the launch of F1 Plus at the same event, but the official launch happened on 6th April at Hotel Lalit in Delhi. I had gone to Delhi for the event for a day. See the entire vlog and event details in my vlog below, Yuvraj Singh was also present at the event 😀 He came even with his ankle injury!

Anyhoo, coming back to the phone, OPPO F1 Plus. I am obviously no tech expert, so would not be reviewing from that point of view, though I am a tech and gadget freak! Also being a blogger, I am present on every social media channel on earth and use my phone 24/7 for everything from clicking pictures to updating you guys on social channels, replying to mails, etc. The best part of this phone is obviously the front camera, as the name goes ‘Selfie Expert’. The front cam is 16MP,f/2.0 which allows four times more light compared to other smartphones.

Price: INR 26,990/-

Colors Available: Gold and Rose Gold

I have been using the phone ever since the event and it’s been quite some time now, so it’s the perfect time to review it. To start with, it’s very light weight (only 145g) though standard 5.5 inches, you do not feel this phone at all even in your pocket.

I have the Color Gold which I like a little more than Rose Gold, coz of the deep matte gold finish. Also it is super comfortable to hold and ergonomically designed to fit in your hands.

The thick Corning Gorilla Glass 4 does not need a scratch guard. I bought one and when I was just about to place it, I realized this phone doesn’t need one. The glass is super thick and scratch resistant, I did not feel adding another layer was required.

It has it’s own Operating System Color OS 3.0 and the Lollipop version of Android, it is pretty smooth and fast untill now, quite impressed with the OS. I have always been on Android and can safely say, this OS is quite good.

It has 64GB internal memory which is expandable externally upto 128GB, there are very few phones in the market offering that! The 4GB RAM is sufficient and the phone never lagged even once, though I am not a gaming person, so did not try that. For me, I have 10-15 apps working all the time, and none stopped responding at any time.

I have always been using a dual sim phone and that is my priority when I have to select a phone for myself. I am so glad this is dual sim with both being 4G enabled.

Specs

Other notable features are fingerprint scanner, WiFi Direct, fast battery VOOC Flash charging, etc.

Coming to the main part and my favourite, the camera! It has 13MP rear camera with f/2.2 with auto focus, face detection and even Beauty and Panaroma features. The Beautify 4.0 brightens the skin and removes all blemishes, so without makeup, it gives a made up look 😀 I love the Ultra HD mode which gives super crisp and bright pictures and the GIF creator which is super fun! GIF creator option is also available for the front camera. It also has a range of inbuilt filters which lets you select a filter even before clicking a picture! My favourites are ‘Elegant’ and ‘British’. The rear camera also has an ‘Expert Mode‘ which lets you control the ISO and exposure, so even if you are a pro photographer, this will give you the freedom to work your way.

Beautify 4.0

The 16MP front camera has wide f/2.0 lens which allows more light in pictures coz of it’s unique sensor technology, so now you get bright selfies even in low light and during night time. And now fit in all your friends in a selfie with the amazing ‘Selfie Panaroma’ feature 😀 The ISOCELL technology reduces the noise in selfies, giving you super clear and sharp selfies. My favourite feature though is ‘Double Exposure‘ which helps you click two pictures in motion and combines them into one. I haven’t found a subject yet to use that, but I will be using it soon and would be posting it on my Instagram, so follow me there 😀

It also captures videos at 1080p@30fps, I would be using it for my vlogs too. Also love the ‘Time Lapse‘ feature! I am clearly bowled by the camera features.

I also compared it to Samsung Galaxy A7. It looks quite similar, weighs almost the same and the specifications and features too are similar. The Samsung A7 Operating System is so slow and it was a pain to use comparatively. It runs on Kitkat which is upgradable to Lollipop. I am not sure what exactly is the problem, but you need real patience to use Samsung A7.

Rear Camera
L- Clicked with OPPO
R- Clicked with Samsung
Front Cam
L- OPPO
R- Samsung

I have also compared the selfies and pics taken with both the phones. Samsung camera is pretty sharp too and love the clear pictures, but in terms of catching the true colours, OPPO F1 Plus is the clear winner.

OPPO F1 Plus has all the features and specifications that of iPhone6, some even better and at half the price! I totally recommend checking out OPPO F1 Plus, see more HERE

What do you think of the new OPPO F1 Plus Selfie Expert Phone?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

Flared Jeans: The Comeback of the 1990’s & Ways to Style It

Fashion, How To, Outfit Ideas, Styling, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flared Jeans: The Comeback of the 1990’s & Ways to Style It

By Sanchaita

Flared Jeans were out-of-the fashion scene throughout the 2000’s, mainly because skinny and super-skinny jeans were winning hearts all over the world, and why not? They are extremely well-fitted and looked so good. But now, the fashion from the gone eras is making a comeback, be it Palazzo’s, Crop-tops, Flared Jeans, Midi’s, and so on.

In this article, I’m going to write about how to rock the Flared-Jeans and can look as good as skinny jeans, and is so much more comfortable than the skinny ones because let’s admit it, no matter how good a pair of skinny jeans look, they are too-tight to breathe-in and too uncomfortable during the harsh summer days, and yeah, we do need to shift to something different after years of wearing the same skin tight jeans!

The Summer-Spring Look

Flared Jeans can be paired up with a summer-top or even a crop-top. This outfit is perfect for a casual day out with friends, or for movies. Semi-fitted or well fitted tops will look better with the flared jeans as loose or ill fitted tops will fail to give some balance to your body, thus making you look shabby. Pair these jeans with wedges, and you’re good to go!

The Winter Look

Long sweaters and the flared jeans- best look for a chilly winter day. Pair this look with a matching accessory- a chunky necklace or earrings, and/or a handbag, with light makeup. With Flared Jeans, heels or wedges is preferred because if you wear flats instead, the bottom-part of the jeans will be dragging through the floor, and undoubtedly look bad.

The Distressed Look

Yes, ripped and distressed flared jeans do exist and look as good as ripped skinny jeans. Crop-top, spaghetti tops would look best with these pair of Jeans. This is the ready-for-Coachella kind of look. Hair tied into a messy pony or bun, and a sling, and you’re ready to rock!

The Cropped One

Cropped flared-jeans paired with a shirt and scarpin heels is one way to rock the bell-bottoms look. This look is great for formal settings, and jeans can be changed for flared pants, and it would look as good. Too-much cropped flared jeans/pants would look baggy.

The No-effort look

Pair the Jeans with a casual v-neck top, printed or plain, paired with sunglasses and a handbag/sling and you’re ready for a hot-summer day. This look is easy and for those days when you are feeling lazy and don’t really feel like dressing up.

The Kimono look

Kimonos are the current favourite. I see almost everyone around me wearing kimonos with a short-dress, with shorts, with skirts, and with a pair of skinny jeans. But, kimonos can be paired up with flared jeans and tank tops and they look great! If doesn’t matter if your kimono is plain or printed, try wearing it with a pair of flared jeans and you’ll do justice to the boho-vibes.

The other-colours look

Flared-Jeans doesn’t always have to be blue (the basic denim colour). It can be red, or black, purple or even pink. Go for your favourite coloured flared jeans, and rock it either with a solid coloured shirt or striped or even floral, because hey, bold is beautiful.

The Biker-Look

Who said leather jackets look good only with skin-tight jeans or pants? When you wear a leather jacket with flared-jeans, they not only look classy, but they add a bit of texture to your outfit as well. There are so many other ways to rock the flared-jeans, all you need to do is find the right pair of the flared-jeans, some accessories, be it sunglasses, scarves, chunky pieces of jewellery and you’re ready to conquer the world woman!

Editor’s Note: Oo..I love this compilation Sanchaita, I remember wearing my flared jeans a lot when I was in college 🙂 I am so glad it’s back.

What do you guys think of the flared jeans trend? And how do you prefer to style it?

Top 10 Face Washes For Men in India, Prices, Buy Online

Face Wash, Skin care, Top 10, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Face Washes For Men in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

For a woman, it is very easy to choose a face wash from plethora of brands available in Indian market but for men, things are slightly difficult. Firstly, not every possible brand comes up with a face wash for men and their skin’s texture is also a bit different than us. My brother always used to finish off my Ponds Oil Control face wash as he had this super oily skin with acne issues. Well, he isn’t alone – most of them has somewhat similar skin texture that requires a good cleansing that would swipe off all the greasy layers along with the prevention of acne. The scenario is changing and various brand shave come up with face washes for men now. Hence, I have combined a list of the best ten face washes for men available in the Indian market along with their prices. Scroll down for more.

1. Himalaya Herbals Men Intense Oil Clear Lemon Face Wash – INR 140 for 100ml, INR 75 for 50ml (BUY HERE)

This face wash is formulated with Indian Willow (Salix Tetrasperma) bark extract is rich in polyphenols which are known to exert skin conditioning and protectant activity. The plant possesses antimicrobial and astringent properties as it is rich in tannins. Indian Willow has been traditionally used to quicken wound healing and treat skin diseases. Further the face wash is a soap-free, herbal formulation that gently cleanses your face yet lathers generously removing every layer of oil from the surface of the skin.

2. Nivea Men Advanced Whitening Oil Control Face Wash – INR 180 for 100ml (BUY HERE)

Nivea is one of the popular brands in men’s skin care and they also have quite an extensive range of grooming products for men. One of them is the Advanced Whitening Oil Control Face Wash. It lathers very well and removes the excess oil from the skin giving a shine-free matte look. The face wash also controls acne causing bacteria up to 99% for clear skin. Further, it tightens the pores and makes the skin brighter with its advance vita complex molecules.

3. L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Skin Awakening Icy Cleansing Gel – INR 500 for 100ml (BUY HERE)

Who said L’Oréal is just for women? This Hydra Energetic Skin Awakening Icy Cleansing Gel is perfect for those men who has normal to dry skin. It is enriched with cryo-tonic which is a soap free pH neutral formula and it deeply cleanses and purifies skin without drying it out. Further, the active defense system helps strengthen skin’s natural resistance against daily aggression. Cleanses, purifies and wakes up the look of the skin within few minutes.

4. OXY Deep Face Wash with Activated Charcoal – INR 120 for 50g (BUY HERE)

OXY is a brand which is completely dedicated to men’s products. This Activated Charcoal face wash from the brand is an excellent choice for the men who has extremely oily skin prone to accumulation of dirt in the pores and breakout issues. It is powered with Icy- menthol that energizes the skin and delivers the ultimate cooling sensation. The formulation is done with the Stearic acid that exfoliates dead skin intensively by permitting water to combine with oil and dirt and washing them away, therefore purifying pores to reveal clearer skin for longer duration.

5. Fiama Di Wills Men Clear Skin Gel Face Wash – INR 180 for 100ml (BUY HERE)

A gentle face wash for normal to combination skin that balances the pH level of the skin yet removes excess oil from the skin. it has the combination of the goodness of micro gel conditioners and Tea Tree Bio-Actives that softens skin and help reduce skin imperfections by preventing and clearing out the acne and pimples. Its deep action unclogs pores and removes excess oil revealing a brighter, youthful looking face. The price is also very reasonable for a daily face wash.

6. VLCC Men Active Light Fairness Face Wash – INR 155 for 100g (BUY HERE)

This face wash from VLCC is enriched with the goodness of mulberry and mint leaves. Mulberry has antioxidants, vitamins and minerals while mint leaves has skin lightening properties and it can remove toxins and purify skin as well. This refreshing face wash that not only wipes of dirt and grime but also energizes your skin and helps remove tan. Further is unclogs the pores, removes excess sebum and maintains the hydration of the skin as well.

7. Pond’s Men Energy Charge Face Wash – INR 89 for 50g, INR 170 for 100g (BUY HERE)

One of the best budget friendly face wash for men that works extremely good for oily skin. This energy charge face wash is an effective way to remove grime and impurities off your face. It has been specially designed for the men because their skin texture is a bit different than women. With its menthol infusion which gives a refreshed feeling while its coffee bean extracts gently exfoliate your skin, improving the skin’s texture. It brightens the skin and takes away the dullness.

8. Park Avenue Coffee Power Face Wash – INR 95

Park Avenue is another well-known brand for men and their products are really impressive. It suits mostly the oily skin. The face wash effectively cleanse the skin by removing every layer of dirt and excess oil from the surface of your skin. It contains the coffee bean extracts that deep cleanse the pores along with cool, fresh and attractive coffee fragrance. The price is also within the budget friendly range for a daily face wash.

9. Garnier Men Acno Fight 6 in 1 Anti Pimple Face Wash – INR 170 for 100g (BUY HERE)

The face wash has been specially designed for the acne prone oil skin that has been formulated with natural ingredients, to give you a healthy glow with each use. It has micro-beads that scrubs away dead skin cells, remove blackheads and unclog pores. It also controls oil secretion, regenerate and repair your skin to give you a healthy look. It contains Salicylic acid which is known for its cleansing properties and neutralizing bacteria.

10. The Body Shop for Men Maca Root Face Wash – INR 695

TBS is already a well-known skin care brand for women and it also has certain products for men which are equally good. This face wash is a paraben-free & vegan facial cleanser infused with maca root to cleanse, soften, & refresh skin. It efficiently removes the oil from the skin yet balances the pH level of the skin. Further, it leaves skin feeling soft and invigorated.

Editor’s Note: That’s a fabulous compilation Sanchita, I get this question asked a lot, now I know what to tell them to read 😀 I would like to suggest the Himalaya Neem Face Wash, if you have acne prone skin, it is not specifically made for men, but is unisex.

All you men out there, which is your favourite? And ladies, what do men in your life use?

April 2016 My Envy Box Unboxing, Review

BBlunt, Beauty Box, My Envy Box, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 2016 My Envy Box Unboxing, Review

Hi guys,

So I got my April 2016 My Envy Box yesterday. The box is peachy pink in color with gold print and it is curated by Bipasha Basu in association with The Label Life.

MRP: Rs.850/- (Available HERE)

Let’s see what all I got:

  • BBLUNT Spotlight Hair Finish Spray – Full size (Rs.535/-)
  • O3+ Milk Scrub – Full size (Rs.385/)
  • Fran Wilson MoodMatcher Peach  Lipstick- Full size (Rs.590/-)
  • Rene Furterer Naturia Shampoo – 15ml
  • Roberto Cavalli Paradiso Azzurro Sample (Rs.4900/- for 50ml)

I have got the Moodmatcher lipstick earlier in green in my Aug Fab Bag last year. It comes in four shades, and I don’t mind trying this peach too, it stays put whole day and gives a nice pink tint to the lips depending on the body temperature, pH, etc.

Full size BBLUNT Spotlight Spray is nice, it gives a nice sheen to the hair and slight hold too, perfect for your daily hairstyles.

I like the sound of the O3+ Milk Scrub and I am glad it is full size, really looking forward to try that.

Not very happy with the Rene Furterer small sample, but I already have this same shampoo in the bigger tube and if I like that, I would keep this to carry along for travels. And again, a small perfume sample vial, which I won’t count/consider.

I like the fact that there are 3 full sized products, but I see the same brands being repeated a lot. BBLUNT, Rene Furterer, Avene, Hedonista, Suganda, etc. I would love to see new brands and would love it if My Envy Box introduces some new brands next month.

Also I got the March Jewellery My Envy Box which is curated by Nandini Bhalla, Cosmo India Editor. You can get 20% off on the jewellery boxes using the code ‘JEWEL20’

Though this box is value for money with 3 full sized products, but if you don’t like any one of the 3 full sized products, than you can skip it, and buy them individually.

What did you get in April My Envy Box? The same or something different? Do let me know in the comments below.

PAC Cosmetics Eyeliners & Kohls Review, Swatches

Eye Liners, Eye Pencils, Kajal, Kohl, Makeup, Makeup Brushes, PAC Cosmetics, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PAC Cosmetics Eyeliners & Kohls Review, Swatches

Hi guys,

So I got a few things from PAC Cosmetics and have already reviewed the beauty blender before. While it did tear in the first wash which I updated in that review, but it is still very much usable and I am quite loving it, just that I did not expect it to tear in the first wash :/

But today I am reviewing their eyeliners and kohls. They have two liquid liners and two kohl pencils. What I liked about them is that they are manufactured at Schwan Stabilo Cosmetics in Germany which is where Lakme Absolute, Colorbar, Faces, Kryolan and all of the major brands are manufactured. I am assured of the quality, plus the pricing is more affordable and comparatively cheap.

Starting with the liquid liners, they have a normal brush liquid liner and a pen liquid liner, though both are called pen, maybe coz of the stiff pen like applicator.

PAC Cosmetics High Shine Liquid Liner Pen

What the Company claims: The HIGH SHINE Liquid Eye Liner is long-lasting and does not smudge, crack, flake or peel. With its high definition  felt tip applicator, one stroke is enough to define a fine or thick line. Fast drying, Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner is suitable for sensitive eyes and those who wear contact lenses too!.An eyeliner that should last you all day long

MRP: Rs.395/- for 1.7ml (BUY HERE)

Ingredients:

It comes in a liquid liner tube packaging, the brush is quite thin but stiff and easy to use. It is super glossy as the name suggests. It does dry quickly but it is not completely waterproof and also fades off in about 4-5 hours i.e. not very long lasting too.

PAC Cosmetics Liquid Liner Pen

What the Company claims: PAC LIQUID LINER PEN  is a unique product which is perfect for defining your eyes  without any application difficulty. Its professional flexible brush offers great accuracy to line and define the eyes, ensuring an even application. Enables ease of use with the optimal control to give jet black color.IT DRIES UP QUICKLY AND OUR CONSUMERS HAVE SAID THE BELOW RESULTS-

1-81% SAID IT IS WATERPROOF

2-90% SAID IT WAS LONG LASTING

3-87% PERCENT SAID IT WAS EASY AND QUICK TO APPLY

MRP: Rs.450/- for 1ml (BUY HERE)

It comes in a sleek pen form and the tip is quite fine and stiff, super easy to use and do winged liners with. You must have seen me using this a lot in my recent YouTube videos.

I love how pigmented this is, also it settles to a semi-matte finish, gives a deep, dark, defined line and stays put almost the whole day and until you remove it with a cleanser. It is not completely waterproof but it doesn’t fade or come off, though easy to wash off with a cleanser.

It is absolutely perfect, I have never liked any other liquid eyeliner pen after using the Maybelline HyperSharp and later their Colossal Liner. I stick to the Colossal Liner only, but I am glad I tried this, I quite like it. It’s a tie between this PAC Liquid Liner Pen and the Maybelline Colossal Liner for me. Comparing the two, Colossal doesnt’ stay that long and transfers a bit on the lids if it is too humid but easier to apply. PAC does stay put whole day and does not transfer but I would still prefer Colossal for ease of application, a tad bit more. So equal points 🙂

Top: High Shine Liner
Bottom: Liquid Liner Pen

If you like glossy liquid eyeliners, you can go for the High Shine one, but otherwise I would absolutely recommend the Liquid Liner Pen.

Coming to the kohls, they have the Intense Auto Kohl and the Long lasting Kohl Pencil.

PAC Cosmetics Intense Auto Kohl

What the Company claims: A retractable pencil which is an intense auto kohl kajal pencil. A pencil that will take your worries of sharpening the pencil again & again of your mind. The intense colour & matte texture of the pencil will add definition & drama to your eyes. The pencil has a waterproof property & does not transfer. Just because the pencil is intense & jet black. Hence it can be used as : A kajal AS WELL AS An eye liner

MRP: Rs.350/- (BUY HERE)

It is a retractable kohl with a smudger on one side. You can either use it just on your waterline or use it on the upper lashline and smudge for a soft, smokey effect.

It is quite dark and very smooth in texture, glides on easily. I have very watery eyes and no kohl stays long on me, this stays for about 3-4 hours before fading bit by bit. Pretty decent, I would say.

PAC Cosmetics Long Lasting Kohl Pencil

What the Company claims: The kajal pencil which is never going to make a tear fall out of your eye. You were always worried about your kajal smudging & spoiling your make-up look but this kajal is a answer to your all problems.

MRP: Rs.350/- (BUY HERE)

This is in pencil form and again with a smudger behind. You can wear it similarly for your waterline or a smokey effect on upper lashline. The only problem with pencil is you need to sharpen and a lot of it goes waste. But also this is more hygienic as the germs get sharpened and you get a fresh layer before using.

This is quite deep and dark, much more pigmented than the Auto Kohl. Glides on like butter and stays put once set, for about 6-7 hours at least. It doesn’t smear and hardly smudges. The shape and size, packaging is exactly like the Lakme Absolute Kohl Ultimate which is my most favourite and the most long staying kohl on me. Both are manufactured at the same place too, performance wise also they are quite close, I would say they are like 98-100% . While the Lakme Absolute one is priced at Rs.725 (usually around 544 post discount), this one is pretty affordable at Rs.350/-

Top: Longlasting Kohl Pencil
Bottom: Intense Auto Kohl

While both the kohls are priced at Rs.350/-, I would definitely recommend the pencil unless you only prefer retractable ones and hate wastage of product.

I totally recommend the PAC Cosmetics Liquid Liner Pen and Long Lasting Kohl. Very affordable and total value for money!

PAC Cosmetics 378 Brush: The solution to all your woes about contouring your face perfectly. This brush is expertly crafted using Superior quality bristles that place and blend the contour perfectly. Achieve a defined, chiseled and sculpted look by contouring your face to precision.

MRP: Rs.775/- (BUY HERE)

I am also using the PAC 378 brush for contouring, I love the slanted shape and it deposits the product exactly at the contours, where you need. And it works well both with cream/liquid and powder contour. If you are looking for a brush for contouring, I definitely recommend trying this one.

It is slightly expensive at Rs.775 but it’s totally worth it coz using a fluffy brush won’t deposit your contour in one line but spread it around, if you know what I mean. And it is one of the more affordable and value for money options in the makeup brushes category.

Have you tried any of the PAC Cosmetics Liners, Kohls or Brushes yet?

Studiowest Pure Passion Long Lasting Lipstick 621 Honey Glaze Review, Swatches

Dupes, Lipsticks, MAC Dupes, Reviews, StudioWest, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Studiowest Pure Passion Long Lasting Lipstick 621 Honey Glaze Review, Swatches

By Simran Bandwar

“If at first you don’t succeed, apply more lipstick!”

Hi everyone!
This is indeed going to be my very first post on New Love-Makeup and i am feeling great to be a part of this little community we got here.

So, i discovered Studiowest products about last year when i was casually walking through a Westside store and i am so glad i found a range which is so affordable and amazing at the same time.

Who doesn’t like makeup which looks good without burning a hole in your pocket?

On my recent web search, i discovered not a lot of reviews are being done on Studiowest products, so i thought why not give the brand the limelight it deserves?

The Studiowest cosmetics are divided into two ranges, Pure Passion and Maya

The Pure Passion range consists of beautiful corals, nudes and warm tone shades whereas the Maya range consists of glitter, dark tones and everything loud.

Pure Passion range can be considered as a range which consists of products which can be used on an everyday basis whereas the Maya range consists of products which can be used during parties or festivals or anytime you are going for that glam doll look.

Packaging: The product is packaged in a matte sleek black tube which is quite appeasing to the eyes. The lipstick bullet is encased in a golden metallic tube which is in perfect combination with the black. The cap is sturdy and travel friendly, you can slip the lipstick in your clutch and you’re ready to take over the world.

Claims: Indulge your lips with this long lasting lipstick. Comfortable and lightweight, it stays on for hours without drying out.

Price: Rs. 450/- for 3.5 gms

My take on Studiowest Pure Passion Long Lasting Lipstick in 621-Honey Glaze:

So, initially i got the lipstick in this shade for my mother because she only wears nude pinks and she wanted a new long lasting lipstick.

The lipstick is in a gorgeous nude mauve pink which can be worn every day. Anyone from fair to medium skin tone can wear this shade, it wouldn’t flatter darker skin tones though. The product sticks to its claim of longetivity since it stays for upto 6-7 hours even after a 3 course meal.  It doesn’t dry out the lips and i love how moisturizing it is.

The product isn’t completely matte, it is more of a moisturising matte or demi matte but i always pat translucent powder on top to turn the lipstick completely matte. I especially love how the lipstick smells, it is just so soothing. Even my mother loves the shade and the lasting power of the lipstick.

Pros of Studiowest Pure Passion Long Lasting Lipstick in 621- Honey Glaze:

Lasting power of the lipstick
Does not dry out the lips
Array of shades available
Moisturises the lips
Value for the money

Cons of Studiowest Pure Passion Long Lasting Lipstick in 621- Honey Glaze:

Only available in Westside stores across the country.

Rating: 4.5/5

Editor’s Note: I agree Simran, some of the shades in the Studiowest Pure Passion Range are really good. I have a few products from Studiowest and some are really good including the Pure Passion Lipstick. This shade is exactly like MAC Cosmo, an affordable dupe!

Have you tried Studiowest Makeup and/or lipsticks?

Whitetone Face Powder Review

Face Powder, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WHITETONE FACE POWDER REVIEW

By Nidhal

Finishing touches… Just like a sculptor’s finishing touch to his oeuvre makes it a masterpiece, a dancer’s perfect pirouette evokes a sigh of admiration from his/her audience and a writer’s final words strike a chord, in the similar way, finishing touches to one’s skin simply prep one’s appearance up, don’t they? A little powder dabbed carefully on one’s skin not only controls excess sweating but also sorts out uneven complexion. In line with this thought, I zeroed in on WHITETONE FACE POWDER one fine day.

Let me clarify my stand on an issue before proceeding. I have no fascination for fair/white/pale skin. I never have and never will. I didn’t grab it because the word “White-tone’’ was embossed on its package. It’s funny in fact bordering on hilarious how a mere powder can leave one with fair skin. If smeared in excess, it will cast a very unnatural white tone which I am sure looks very hideous to most. My purpose of buying it was to see if it adds that finishing touch my appearance which I just talked about above. Well, then it is time to see its report card, right?

PRICE- Rs 100/- for 70g

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Apply on face and neck in required amounts.

INGREDEINTS-

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Nothing

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a plastic bottle with a flip-top cap, the packaging of Whitetone face powder is sturdy, hygienic and travel-friendly according to me. Of course, if not shut properly, the powder will obviously spill put but then, the cap provided is sturdy enough to avert such a situation. In a nutshell, even though it is nowhere eye-catching or fancy, yet it is fine for me.

It is finely powdered with a visible white colour and a very mild aroma. The aroma is temporary. It will vanish within seconds of application but sadly the colour is a major put-off. No one is as white as a whitewashed wall! Indians are predominantly dusky and making a powder that complements the warm Indian skin shades is what is expected and appreciable.

When applied on one’s skin, it gives a very unnatural white appearance. In fact, one looks as if a bag of flour has been dropped on them! During sweltering summers when we sweat, the distinction between our natural complexion and this white colour becomes all the more obvious. For this very reason, I do not find it useful at all. Moreover, it wouldn’t be of much use to those with dry/extremely dry skin since their skin is already sapped off moisture. Using a powder which works to seal the pores (which is how, powders ‘control sweating’) will worsen the condition.

The final nail in the coffin comes in the form of its ingredients’ list which has nothing natural. The worst part being it has silicones (dimethicone) and artificial fragrance (under the garb of which toxic chemicals are added).

GOOD-

  • Readily available
  • Economical pricing
  • Fine packaging

BAD-

  • Casts an unnatural white complexion which shows on Indian skin shades.
  • Unsuitable for dry and extremely dry skin
  • Instills a sense of inferiority in the minds of an average Indian who anyway is way too obsessed with fairness, by selling something under the name of “Whitetone”.
  • Contains silicones and artificial fragrance.

RATING- 0.5/5

Editor’s Note: Oh God, such a dud! Knew from the name, and the fancy advertisement they do on TV :/ Nice review Nidhal 🙂

Have you tried the Whitetone Face Powder? Please don’t if you haven’t :p

Lakme Absolute Illuminate & Shine Range Preview, Swatches, Prices, Buy Online

Eye Liners, Eye Makeup, Eye Pencils, Eyeshadows, Lakme, Lipsticks, New Launches, Palettes, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lakme Absolute Illuminate & Shine Range Preview, Swatches, Prices, Buy Online

Hi guys,

I have been playing with the new Lakme Absolute Illuminate and Shine Range since the past one week.

The range has 3 new eyeliners called Lakme Absolute Precision Eye Artist, 15 shades of lipsticks called the Lakme Absolute Illuminating Lip Shimmer, 2 eyeshadow Palettes with 6 eyeshadows each in Gold and Silver i.e one with warm and daytime colors and one with cool and night time/smokey colors. And finally 10 gorgeous glitter nail paints which I believe are not out yet.

As you can notice, the whole range is about shimmer and glitter. I have 3 lipsticks and all 3 eyeliners with me, and the Gold Palette. These are already available online, so I thought of swatching them, in case you would like to buy them online, coz they are on discount on Amazon.

Lakme Absolute Precision Eye Artist – Rs.850/- for 0.35g (BUY HERE)

Unique twist up retractable liner with precision grip
Liner comes in 3 metallic shades
Intense color in just one stroke

Lakme Absolute Illuminating Lip Shimmer- Rs.700/- for 5g (BUY HERE for 630)

High color pay off with a creme texture
Reflective shimmer finish
Contemporary shades from Lakme absolute, recommended by backstage experts

Lakme Absolute Illuminating Eyeshadow Palette- Rs.995/- (BUY HERE for 896)

A versatile palette with 6 unique shades developed to suit Indian skin tones
Complimentary shades blend effortlessly to create different looks
Ideal for all special occasions

Here are the swatches..

L-R: Emerald Green, Blue Sapphire, Burnished Brown
L-R: Tropical Shine, Crimson Blink, Pink Flash
L-R: Tropical Shine, Crimson Blink, Pink Flash
Illuminating Eyeshadow Palette in Gold
Illuminating Eyeshadow Palette in Gold

The eyeliner comes in this long, slender retractable packaging with a rubber grip to hold it well. It is super pigmented and with one swipe, you get the perfect, opaque color. The three shades available are Burnished Brown, Blue Sapphire and Emerald Green.

All three shades are true to its name and gorgeous. If you are not a color person, definitely get Burnished Brown!

The lipsticks I have are Tropical Shine, Pink Flash and Crimson Blink. All the shades have shimmer in them, but are super pigmented and give opaque coverage. Pink Flash doesn’t have gold or silver shimmer but self pink shimmer, hence it is not reflective.

And the palette in Gold has neutral shades from brown, nudes, taupes to olives.

This range is definitely expensive and I was not expecting such high prices :/ I absolutely love the Precision Eye Artist, they are super creamy, pigmented and amazing to work with. Definitely recommend those. In Lip Shimmers, shades like Tropical Shine, Rose Gold are very unique and pretty and perfect for weddings/brides.

I will do a detailed review on this range soon.

I hope you liked the preview and swatches, do share your favourites in the comments below.

DIY – Makeup Setting Spray

DIY, Makeup, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DIY – Makeup Setting Spray

By Sanchita

Makeup setting spray plays a very important role in the application and setting of base. In fact, this is the reason the makeup looks so flawless and does not budge for a long time even during scorching heat. You have often seen the matte or dewy look on various celebrities and how impeccable it looks! It also helps in removing the cakey or any patchy look in case you applied the powder or foundation in excess. Sadly, not many Indian brands manufacture makeup setting sprays and therefore the other brands are quite expensive. One day, I was having a casual chat regarding makeup setting with my friend who is a makeup artist and she told me how she sets the makeup on her clients. She uses a concoction liquid of certain ingredients which are readily available in the market and I was so determined to make it. In fact, you can also make two different setting spray – one for dewy and the other for matte. So, scroll down to see how to make your own makeup setting spray.

INGREDIENTS

  • Rose water – act as a toner, moisturizer and skin enhancer.
  • Aloe Vera Gel – helps in setting the look without getting patchy or cakey.
  • Glycerin – moisturizes the skin and evens out the makeup. Acts as a sticky base to keep the makeup adhered to
  • Distilled Water
  • Empty Spray Bottle

PROCEDURE

  • Take an empty spray bottle and make sure it is completely cleansed, sterilized and dried. Fill 1/3rd of the bottle with distilled water.

  • Add 2/3rd rose water to the bottle.

  • Add 1 tbsp. of Aloe Vera Gel.

  • Now, add 1/2 tbsp. of glycerin or any other essential oil of your choice.

  • Shake the bottle very well so that the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

  • Voila! Your makeup setting spray is ready!

Note: If you want to make the spray for matte finish, use the distilled water and rose water in a 50:50 ratio and add only little bit of glycerin. However, if you want to make the spray for dewy finish, use the distilled water and rose water in a 20:80 ratio and add 1tbsp. of glycerin. Also, you can add Jojoba Oil or any other essential oil to increase the hydration factor during winter.

Caution: If you’re allergic to any of the above mentioned ingredients, please do not incorporate them in the concoction.

This can also be used a toner and refresher in this scorching heat. Simply spray the liquid from a slight distance, closing the eyes and let is dry on its own. Also, do not spray too much as it will take a long time to dry up. It is free from chemicals and preservatives and hence it is best to use it up within 1-2 months of making.

Editor’s Note: This sounds amazing Sanchita, definitely worth trying. I am surely going to.

Will you try this DIY Makeup Setting Spray?

Top 10 Faces Cosmetics Products in India, Prices, Buy Online

Faces Cosmetics, Makeup, Top 10, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Faces Cosmetics Products in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

Hello everyone, I am back with another Top 10 list from a very well-known brand in recent times. Even if you would have asked me 2 years back to do a Top 10 with FACES Canada, I would have found it really difficult. Now, the scenario is totally changed and they have plethora of products to choose from. Over these years, they have really upgraded the quality of products and they are quite reasonable too. I have also noticed that the availability is good and easily accessible from online stores too. There are some of the products from FACES Canada that have become my HG ones.

So, here’s my list of Top 10 products that surely deserves to be included in your list of makeup. Let’s have a look at it.

1. FACES Ultime Pro Metaliglow – (799 INR) Review & Swatches HERE

Starting with this amazing and gorgeous highlighter that I literally use it every time when I am stepping out of the house. It comes in three shades – Opal (fair skin tones), Champagne (fair to medium skin tones) and Topaz (dusky skin tones). It has a gel-like texture that blends into the skin without much effort but you have to do it quickly because it has the tendency to settle down sooner than you can imagine. You can also mix with any foundation to get that luminosity and its looks totally natural. Bhumika has reviewed the shades Opal and Champagne and this one is a highly recommended from her side as well.

2. FACES Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayons – (799 INR) Review & Swatches HERE (BUY HERE for 675)

Chubby lip crayons are new trend and every brand has their own versions. FACES Canada, too, brought forward their versions and the quality is impeccable. It is available in 10 shades for now and the shades Peach Me, Midnight Rose and Sugar Coated has already been reviewed in detail on NLM, so surely check it out. The texture is soft and creamy which glides like a dream and settles down with a matte formula. The shade Midnight Rose is a must have from their collection.

3. FACES Magnet Eyes Kajal – (175 INR) (BUY HERE)

One of the best, creamiest and long wearing kajal in the Indian market today. It comes in a retractable red plastic body and looks very chic and pretty. The texture is soft and creamy and glides on the eyes without tugging or pulling at all. The formula is water proof and smudge proof with a staying power of around 6-7hours easily. The pigmentation is great and makes the product really stand out. It gives a jet black color when applied on the water line as well. Overall, the price makes it great for a daily wear kajal.

4. FACES Canada Ultime Pro Mineral Loose Powder – (699 INR) (BUY HERE)

With an innovative non-comedogenic formulation which offers protection from harmful UV radiation, the FACES Canada Ultime Pro Mineral Loose Powder comes in a very unique and convenient packaging with a sponge attached to the lid. The powder gives a soft blurry effect to the pores and smoothens out the skin tone with its light to medium coverage. The finish is matte but doesn’t clings on to dry patches. The powders are mostly neutral tones and thus doesn’t makes you look whitish or chalky. The oil control is around 4hours and after that you might need touch ups.

5. FACES Hi-Shine Nail Enamel – (199 INR) Review HERE

Available in more than 70 shades, the FACES Hi-Shine Nail Enamels are truly superb in quality. It comes in a thick glass bottle and delivers a glossy and high shine formula to the nails. The nail enamels contain a blend of non-harmful plasticizers which modify the nail enamel film to be flexible, thus resisting chipping and cracking. It also provides proper hardness, gloss and adhesion to the nail. These lacquers are TOLUENE & DBP, Camphor and Formaldehyde free and won’t damage the nails in the long run.

6. FACES Long Wear Eye Pencil – (449 INR) Review HERE

The FACES Long Wear Eye Pencils are considered to be one of the best eye pencil with a reasonable price tag. It is available in 9 shades and each of them has a beauty of its own. The texture is soft and creamy and hence you can easily create smoky eyes with it. It gives a matte finish after setting down within 5-10mins and has a water proof and smudge proof formula. Free of preservatives, dermatologically and ophthalmologically approved, the eye pencil are great for water line too. The shade Black and Navy Blue are the raved ones in the collection.

7. FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick – (649 INR)

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick claims to be an exclusive lipstick with an unbeatable gliding quality and unique satin finish. It comes with a sleek matte black packaging with twist up function. The texture is truly creamy and glides like anything on the lips. It is one of the most comfortable matte finish that doesn’t dry out the lips sucking life out of it. However, do make sure to scrub and prep your lips before you apply the lip color. The staying power is commendable and you are a matte lippy lover, you have to try this out.

8. FACES Ultime Pro Eyeshadow Crayon – (799 INR) Review HERE

The FACES Ultime Pro Eyeshadow Crayons are one of the recent launches from the brand and truly an amazing one. It is available in 6 shades for now with pretty names and comes in a sharpenable chubby pencil packaging along with a free sharpener. The color coded packaging is extremely good and the eye shadows are pretty long wearing. The texture is smooth and creamy which makes it perfect to blend and layer as much as you want. The pigmentation is also great and application is so easy that a beginner can also use these.

9. FACES Prime Perfect Foundation – (699 INR)

The foundation is considered one of the best foundations for the oily to combination skin for the summers. It comes in 5 shades although dusky complexions might not find a good match. It is enriched with Hyaluronic Acid that delivers deep hydration & keeps skin nourished with sun protection and anti-ageing formula. The texture is creamy but it sets very quickly hence needs to be blended fast. The coverage is medium to buildable but gives a great finish of satin matte to the skin. For the price, I would say that this is a great foundation for daily wear with a wear time of 5-6hours.

10. FACES Sparkle Dust Stackable – (899 INR) Review & Swatches HERE (BUY HERE for 722)

The Sparkle Dust Stackable are stack of 6 color sparkles comes in 4 different family of shades. These are fine milled glitters with powdery texture and Bhumika has already shown in her review that these can be used as eyeshadow, eyeliner, glitter nail paint, highlighters, blushes, etc. So have your fun and experiment with these amazing glitters for a very reasonable price.

Editor’s Note: I absolutely love some of the Faces Products, and they keep launching something new. Currently they are revamping all the old stuff into new packaging and formula. The Faces Eye Pencils are the best, have been using them since they were priced at 249, they have increased the prices a lot now! Also would like to add their skincare range, new Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayons and their Moisture Rich Lipsticks. Even their blushes are quite good.

So, what is your favorite product from Faces Canada?