Monday 29 June 2015

Three Random Things Vol. 14

Hi Everyone!

Hope you had a great weekend! This was my last weekend before school reopens, so I really squeezed out every bit from this relaxed weekend.



Time for today's questions:

Q1. Which is your dream city you would like to live in?

Ans: I live in the historic city of Delhi and I love my city. Recently, I traveled to Paris. Of all the places I have traveled, till date Paris is my favourite. But if I had to choose my dream city, it would be Delhi. Though I'd like a cleaner, greener city with its people considerate towards the needs of others and awareness of the rich heritage of our city.


Q2. Which piece of technology can't you live without?

Ans: A Pen!

Q3. Which wardrobe staple do you wear/carry with you always?

Ans: I always have a scarf with me. I may not always wear one, but you will always find one in my purse. Often used to cover my hair and face against dusty winds.


I tag you to answer these questions:

Q1. Which is your dream city you would like to live in?
Q2.  Which piece of technology can't you live without?
Q3.  Which wardrobe staple do you wear/carry with you always?

You don't have to answer all the questions. You may choose to answer only one. Hoping to hear from you....

Friday 26 June 2015

My Envy Box June 2015 Edition

Hi Everyone!

I had been reading a number of beauty bloggers talking about My Envy Box. So finally, I succumbed to the temptation to subscribe to this beauty box service.

I received my first box yesterday. I couldn't wait to dig in. So what did I get in this box? Keep reading....



The Envy Box itself is quite pretty. It is a rectangular cardboard box with a magnetized flap. It has the brand embossed in gold print on the lid. Its great for storing makeup and accessories. It can even be used as packaging for gifts to your friends! 

The June 2015 Edition:








 
Catrice Smokey Eyes Pencil in #030 Blueny Tunes
Price: INR 365/- for 1.1 gms
Sample Size in Box: Full Size






                                                       Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oils
                                            Price: INR 2450/- for 125 ml
                                            Sample Size in Box: 3ml x 2






Estee Lauder Pleasures (EDP)
Price: INR 5,000/- for 50 ml
Sample Size in Box: 1.5ml


                                                    Natio Meditate Hand Cream
                                           Price: INR 595/- for 100 ml
                                           Sample Size in Box: 20ml






Hedonista Face Souffle in Chocolate and Rhassoul Clay
Price: INR 1,650/- for 115 gms
Sample Size in the Box: Full Size


Total Value of the June Box:  INR 2400/- approx. against the monthly Box price of INR 850/-. Not a bad deal at all!


Wow! So two full sized products! Always a great thing!! I am really excited about all of these products! The Catrice Eye Pencil with its own brush for smudging is a lovely inky, coal blue rather than a garish shade. I'm really looking forward to trying out the Hedonista Face Souffle as well.  We are already familiar with how great Kerastase is as far as hair products are concerned, so the Elixir Ultime Oil is a welcome product in the Box. I had tried out Estee Lauder Pleasures EDP at the Dubai Airport so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the sample in the Box. I love these little vials of perfumes. I keep them handy and spritz on whenever the mood strikes me! I absolutely love hand creams and keep a basket of different hand creams on my night-stand. The Natio Meditate Hand Cream  is a welcome addition to my basket!



My Envy Box is a subscription service which brings you 5 trial sized beauty products (typically 2ml-10ml) from the top international luxury and prestige brands delivered to your door step every month. Priced at INR 850/- for a month, it may be subscribed for 3, 6, or 12 months. You may subscribe to this service HERE

Monday 22 June 2015

June 2015 Empties

Hello Everyone!

As the summer break is on, I thought this was the right time to whitewash the walls of the house. As I was packing up my things from the cupboards (they are to be painted too!), I realized I have a TON of makeup and beauty care products.... And I keep buying more! A this rate I could be buried under all this stuff before you can say MISSISSIPPI! Besides I can be quite fickle and jump from one to the other product without finishing it.

So I made, what you could call, a mid - year resolution. That every month, starting now, I will post an Empties article which will feature 3-5 products as I use them up. I am hoping this will motivate me enough to finish through all the stuff that I own.

I'm also thinking, that maybe I will resolve to buy only one product for every two that I finish. That should help me reduce this huge clutter that I have in my dresser and cupboards... What do you think?

So featuring this month are.....


 Dove Damage Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Hair Conditioner.

This brand it known for its moisturising skin and hair care products. I have an oily scalp, but generally dry and frizzy hair. So I decided to pick up this conditioner. The product was nice and creamy and came out in two colours, white and a golden yellow. This conditioner suited my hair type really well. I'm not sure about damage repair, but every time I used it on my hair, it felt soft and smooth to the touch and lasted for about 2 days. It was a good buy. I'm not buying one immediately, since I have a few more conditioners to finish!



Vivel's Cell Renew Fortify + Repair Moisturiser sample came to me in one of the FabBags. It had a creamy texture and got absorbed into the skin quickly. It worked for me during the drier months, but gave trouble when humidity hit home. I finished this product by applying it on my neck. Its a decent product for people with normal to dry skin. But it did nothing special for me. I will not be buying this moisturiser.


Sattvik Mint Magic Antiseptic Cleanser with Mint and Neem Has been one of my favourite cleansing products in the recent months. I had done a detailed review HERE. Though it is worth another buy, I need to finish a few more cleansers before buying this again!

So that's it for this month. What are he products that you have finished recently? Tell me about them in the comments section below.

Think and Stay Beautiful!

My Fabbag June 2015

Hi All!

This month's Fabbag post got a bit delayed. Internet issues..... In fact you will see that the quality of the photo uploads has suffered as well. So what I will do for this post is that I will include a brief write up of the products as well.

 The June Bag is not shaped like regular pouches. Its more like a cuboid shape. My brother quite liked the bag. So, I've given him the bag for his traveling needs.


The June 2015 Fabbag includes the following products:
  1. Cuccio Colour - Manhattan Mayhem
  2. Cuccio Naturale Butter Blend - Papaya & Guava
  3. Votre Fresh Cooling Sun Protection Mist SPF 25
  4. Ananda Spa Light Moisturiser for Oily Skin
  5. All Good Scents Perfume - Rockstar (Father's Day Bonus)

Cuccio Colour - Manhattan Mayhem
Product Price: INR 675/- for 13 ml
Product Size in Bag: Full Size

This is a Professional range of Nail laquers that gives rich coverage in just one coat.

Fab Tip: Always use a base coat, two coats of polish and a top coat.

This colour is quite of the bridal variety, so I'm not sure I want to apply it on a regular basis. I'll save it for parties and weddings..



Ananda Light Moisturiser  for Oily Skin
Product Price:  INR 1350/- for 50 gms
Product Size in Bag: It is not mentioned on the jar, but I guess it is around 10 gms.

Every day Luxe. Show your skin some love with this rich facial cream that's infused with relaxing and aromatic herbs. It relaxes dull and stressed skin while moisturising it. Protects skin from environmental aggressors, leaving it soft, supple and rejuvinated.

Fab Tip: On thoroughly cleansed skin, dot the cream over entire face and neck. Spread it in upward motion.

The cream smells heavenly and is meant for oily skin. Really looking forward to using it!


Votre Fresh Cooling Sun Protection Mist SPF 25
Product Price: INR 400/- for 50ml
Product size in Bag: Full Size

This sunscreen facial mist is an active blend of natural botanical herbs and minerals that leave skin balanced, glowing and noticeably softer

Fab Tip: Spray the mist on face and neck. Leave it till it dries completely.

It's an interesting product a spray on sunscreen mist. Looking forward to trying it!

All Good Scents Perfume - Rockstar
Product Price: INR 990/- for 50 ml
Product size in Bag: 2ml

This goes to my husband..



Cuccio Naturale Butter Blend - Papaya & Guava
Product Price:  INR 2970/- for 240 gms
Product size in Bag: 9.24 gms

I love body butters so I'm looking forward to using it. Only, I wish the sample size was slightly bigger.


So, the total value of the June 2015 Fabbag is approximately INR/- 1498. Not a bad deal actually. 




FabBag is a monthly subscription service starting at INR 399/-. Each month's bag contains 3-5 products from national and international brands ranging from drugstore to luxury. Product sizes range from small sample sizes to full size. To join this service click HERE.

Three Random Thoughts Vol.13

Hello Everyone!

I have not done a Random Thoughts post in a while. Life has been hectic with travel, house painting, internet connectivity issues to mention a few. So now is a good time as any other!






Q1: What has been the highlight of the past week?

Ans: My past week has been really hectic! Since the summer break was on, I decided to get the house painted. So I have been busy shifting stuff from one room to another, dealing with the smell of paint, Putting stuff back in their places once each room is done. Exhausted!

Q2: What do you think of Massive Open Online Courses?

Ans: I think its a good way of enhancing one's skills. Often it gives us a glimpse into new developments in our professional fields. I am a teacher and I'm always on the lookout for new skills and teaching methodology that I can take to my classroom.

Q3: Are you and early riser or a late night owl?

Ans: As far as I am concerned, it depends on whether the next day is a an off-day at work. If I'm working the next day,  I sleep early and I'm up by 5.00 a.m. Otherwise I might stay up till 2.00 a.m. catching up on my classroom prep and blogwork, or just surfing the net to stumble upon something exciting! Of course, I stay in bed later than usual the next day..

I tag you to answer the following questions..

  1. What has been the highlight of the past week?
  2. What do you think of Massive Open Online Courses?
  3. Are you an early riser or a late night owl? 
You need not answer all the questions, if you wish you may answer only one question.. Hoping to hear from you.....

Friday 19 June 2015

LOTD: Lunch with the Ladies

Hey Everyone!

   I have recently done a formal and a very casual look recently. Now its time for something in between. So, today I will do an easy look that you can do too for, perhaps, lunch with the ladies. Its a fresh summer look that I have been sporting recently.

















Products used:


  1. Polar Icy Magic Instant Skin Perfector
  2. ColorBar BB Cream in Honey Glaze (002)
  3. Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Honey
  4. Chambor Compact Powder (RR5)
  5. Maybelline New York Blush in Berry Sorbet
  6. Be a Bombshell All-in-One Stick in Buck Wild
  7. Lakme Eyeconic Kajal in Brown
  8. Maybelline New York Hyper Curl Volum Express Mascara
  9. Davis Lip Liner Pencil in Pink
  10. L'Oreal Paris Shine Caresse Lip Gloss in Bella
What do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments section below..

Think and stay beautiful!

Monday 15 June 2015

FOTD: Taking the Kids out for a Play Date

Hello Everyone!

Summer break is on and sometimes is quite a task to keep the kids constructively occupied. Keeping them off TV is most challenging!  So a couple of friends and I decided that we would get together with the kids at each of our homes in turn, through the vacations. This is a casual look I put together for such outings. I change the colour of my lipstick and eye liner to match my clothes.








Products Used:

1. ColorBar Perfect Match BB Cream in Honey Glaze (002)
2. Faces Canada Concealer Stick in Medium
3. Maybelline New York All-in-One Compact in Nude Beige
4. Maybelline New York Powder Blush in Berry Sorbet
5. Himalaya Kajal
6. Avon Glimmersticks in Cosmic Blue
7. Davis Lip Liner in Pink
8. Be Chic Lip Shine Ultra Shiny Lip Gloss in Chestnut


Do you like this look? Do let me know in the comments section below.

Think and Stay Beautiful!

Sunday 14 June 2015

LOTD: A Indian Wedding Guest

Hello Everyone!

Its raining 'looks'... Well with the vacations on, I just have a bit more time than usual.This was a mid-summer wedding in Delhi. Its crazily hot this time of the year. So I did not want a very heavily laden look. I wanted the look to be light and airy, yet with a dash of colour. So I chose a grey Dhakai saree with a red border. I kept the look very minimalist, keeping in mind the hot evening. I used a neutral, shimmer palette for the eyes, peachy cheeks and tied the look together with a bright red lip colour.












Products Used:
  1. Bodyography Foundation Primer
  2. Olivia Foundation Pan Stick Shade Natural (03)
  3. Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting concealer in Honey
  4. Faces Canada Concealer Stick in Medium
  5. Maybelline New York All-in-One Two Way Compact in Sand Beige
  6. Beauty UK Powder Blush in Rustic Peach
  7. Be a Bombshell 3-in-1 stick in Buck Wild
  8. LaSplash Eyeshadow Primer
  9. Beauty UK Eyeshadow Palette in Naked (No.7)
  10. Elle 18 Liquid in Blackout
  11. Avon Lip Liner in Red Brick
  12. ColorBar Deep Matte Lip Creme in Deep Red

That's all for now. Take Care!

Think and Stay Beautiful!

Thursday 11 June 2015

LOTD: A Neutral Look for the Workplace

Hi Everyone!

Today's look is about keeping it neutral at the workplace. It's a fresh look for summer. All groups of makeup are represented, but the look is muted and can be carried comfortably in a formal work environment.










Products used:
  1. L'Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence
  2. Lakme CC Cream in Bronze
  3. Faces Canada Concealer Stick in Medium
  4. Maybelline New York All In One Compact in Nude Beige
  5. Beauty UK Blush in No.4 Rustic Peach
  6. Oriflame Eyeshadow Palette in Nude and Grey
  7. Elle 18 Liquid Eye Liner in Blackout
  8. Himalaya Kajal
  9. Avon Lip Liner in Nude
  10. Maybelline New York Lip Polish in Glam 3
What do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments ection below...

Think and stay beautiful!

Monday 1 June 2015

Product Launch and Quick Review: Avon Ultra Color Bold Lipstick

Hello Everyone!

Avon has launched their Boldest Lipstick Yet, Ultra Color Bold. This series of Lipstick comes in 15 shades and is packed with 50% more pigments. 





Swatches:





My Take on the Product:

The product comes in a twist up bullet format in a black casing with metallic pink accents. The continer has a transparent window on top to help identify the shade easily. 

This range is dominated by pinks. There are  only two brown based shades, Bare Impact and Coffee Crush, the second has strong reddish hue, however. Most of the shades will complement Indian skin tones. But there are two or three shades which dusky beauties might find it difficult to pull off, for example, Starburst Pink, Bright Nectar and Peony Pop.

My two absolute favourites are Bare Impact and Coral Burst. Bare Impact is a true nude for me and imparts a glow to my face. Whereas Coral Burst is a lovely, true coral shade which brightens me up immediately!

The formula is really creamy and glides over the lips and gives true colour in two swipes and created no tugging during application. It moisturises my lips well. It does transfer, but is longlasting. It lasted for nearly 6 hrs with lunch, coffee a and light snacking in the middle. It lost it creamy gloss but settled into a nice stain. Its super easy to clean off as well, so no unnecessary rubbing.

Coral Burst


Bare Impact

Bare Impact 5 hrs and a lunch later


Pros:

  1. Nice shade range with most shades that will suit Indian skin tones.
  2. Great packaging.
  3. Smooth and creamy texture.
  4. Moisturising formula
  5. True shade in two swipes.
  6. No tugging.
  7. Long lasting.
  8. Settles into a nice stain.
  9. Easy to clean.
Cons
  1. Does not indicate if it has SPF
  2. Probably not paraben free.
  3. Transfers.


Overall Score: 4.5/5


Contact your nearest Avon Beauty Advisor to see the swatches for yourselves and order your favourite colours.  

Think and Stay Beautiful!