Product Review: Maybelline New York Clear Glow Shine Free Clear Stick in #02 Radiance, Swatch and FOTD

Hello Beautiful!

Today I am going to review the Maybelline New York Clear Glow Shine Free  Clear Stick in #02 Radiance. I have been using this product for a while now and I love it for how handy it is! This product comes in 2 shades in India, Fawn and Radiance. Fawn is for deeper skin tones, whereas Radiance is for fair to medium.

 

Product Claim:
Move on to the new generation of concealers with Maybelline Clear Glow BB stick. The specialized mineral clay formula gives 12 hour shine control. Since it has SPF 21 and PA++ you get effective sun protection. It instantly evens our skin tone and gives a radiant matte finish. Sleek and handy, the Maybelline BB stick is going to win your heart.
Feature:

• Evens out skin tone
• Special mineral clay formula
• Infused with SPF 21 and PA+++
• Dermatologically tested
• Suitable for all skin types
• Gives a matte finish
• Sweat and sebum resistant
Maybelline Clear Glow BB stick is dermatologically tested, therefore no itching or allergies. Just one swipe and you are good to go. It blends flawlessly and hides open pores and uneven pigmentation.

Price of product: INR 250 for 10 grams of product.
Packaging: Twist-up in plastic casing


My Take On the Product:  

Many years ago, when I had just started working, I had bought a stick foundation called Maybelline Express makeup 3-in-1, which was a combination of sunscreen, foundation and compact. That product also came in a twist up format in a plastic and metal casing. I was very fond of it and used up many of them. Interestingly, it came in 6 or 7 shades. Some years ago,Maybelline discontinued the product. Since then I moved on to other products.



When I heard of the Clear Glow BB Stick, I went shopping for it. I was surprised to see the product only in two shades. Though both these shades can cover a fairly wide range of Indian skin tones. The formula is very similar to the Express 3-in-1. The improvement is in the SPF factor. Express had only SPF 15, this is SPF 21 and also PA +++, so you may skip sunscreen if you wish.

The product has a very soft, velvety formula which spreads and blends into the skin easily without too much tugging or pulling. All you need to do is glide the stick over your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin and blend in with your fingers. The formula can give a sheer finish but you can build it up for medium coverage. This product is a true multi-tasker. You may use it as a concealer too. Just dab on a little extra on your problem areas. It works well even in the under-eye area,without settling into the creases. Those beauties with normal to dry skin will not need any powder to set the product. But since I have very oily skin, I need to dab a bit of compact.

After blending, the product gives a smooth finish to the skin. It evened out my skin tone and gave a soft matte glow. It even makes my pores look less large. 

This BB Stick has good staying power. For the FOTD I wore the product for 5 hrs. I had no primer underneath, except some oil-free moisturiser. I worked in the kitchen, washing dishes, cooking, including making chapatis (Indian flat bread). I did sweat, but the product did not slide or melt off my face. All I had to do was blot my face with regular tissue paper and I was good to go! I even went out shopping in my local market after that.

The product though semi-matte, does not dry out the skin, or settle into pores and creases. However, those with dry skin should moisturise their skin before product application.

At this price point, the BB Stick is an absolutely brilliant product!! Its a great budget product for young college goers. It can even work as a foundation. In fact I have used it instead of foundation when Im travelling and meet people for dinners etc. Its a must-have for summers!

The only down side is the limited range of 2 shades. Maybelline must add more shades to such a wow product.





Product Swatch







After Blending









 




Pros:

1. Convenient, sturdy packaging
2. Smooth, velvety texture
3. Does not tug or pull at the skin
4. Does not make skin look patchy (like many mattifying products do) ; makes the skin soft
5. Blends easily and seamlessly
6. Gives medium coverage, can be layered
7. Can double up as concealer.
8. Brightens skin and evens out skin tone
9. Diminishes pores and imperfections
10. Controls oil
11. Wears well for 5-6 hrs
12. Doesn’t melt off the skin in hot weather
13. Contains UVA and UVB protection, so you may skip sunscreen.
14. Affordably priced!

Cons:
1. Only two shades :(

Overall Score: 4.9/5

Will I buy this product again? YES!!
 

My June Fabbag 2014

Hey Everyone,

I received my June Fabbag a few days ago and here's peek into what I got. Apart from the regular 3 products, this month I received a sample combo of the Clean and Clear Essentials Kit. 

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

Beauty Lab Smart Defence Daily Moisturiser - SPF 20

Price INR 2800/- for 30 ml.

Bag Contains: 5ml

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

This product contains a whole bunch of humectants and collagen. But I'm going to use this only in winters when my skin feels dryer.

Palladio Rice Powder

Price: INR 550/- for 17 g

Bag Contains: Full Size

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

I'm most excited about the Palladio Rice Powder. Since I have oily skin,I've always used loose powders to keep the shine in check. Let's see how this product works on my skin.

Vert Fresh Cucumber and Mint Face Scrub

Price: INR 700/- for 55g

Bag Contains: 20 g

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

I've used this product once so far and I've quite liked it. The product contains natural granules which are really gentle on the skin, and not tiny plastic micro-beads which are polluting our environment. I'll do a detailed review later.

Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Wash

Price: INR 95/- for 100 ml

Bag Contains: 50 ml

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

Clean and Clear Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub

Price: INR 110/- for 80g

Bag contains: 20g

Fabbag - June 2014 Edition

Clean and Clear Oil Free Moisturiser

Price: INR 80/- for 100ml

Bag Contains: 50ml

I'm quite happy with this month's selection. The Clean and Clear Essentials Kit is quite a bonus. The sample sizes are nice. Though I have an oily/combination skin, I will give this kit a miss since I've switched to gentler products for 35+ skin. I will pass this kit on to my young cousin who is in her early 20s.

FABBAG is a subscription service, starting at INR 399/- a month where they curate and send 3-4 samples of various Indian and international brands. It is usually a mix of luxury as well as drugstore products.

To book your bag, you can visit their website HERE.

Product Review: Lakme CC Complexion Care Cream in Bronze

 Hi All!

Today I am reviewing the Lakme CC Complexion Care Cream in Bronze. I have been using it for about a month. It is somewhere between a BB Cream and a foundation.I am reasonably satisfied with this product. I wouldn't say completely thrilled, since you need to work a little hard to really blend in this product into your skin.
 Product Price: INR 250/- for 30 ml of product.

This Product comes in two shades, Beige (for fair to wheatish tone) and Bronze (for deeper skin tones). Even though the shade palette is limited, it can suit a wide variety of Indian skin tones.

Packaging:

It comes in a dual packaging of a metallic red outer carton and a glowy, flesh toned tube with a silver coloured cap. The dispenser is a tiny hole on the top of the tube. It is slightly difficult to control the amount of product dispensed. If too much comes out, there is no way you can put it back in. Some brands have come out with pump tubes, maybe Lakme can consider that. Trial and error will help you figure how much of the product you need. Even a nozzle would be better then the product can be dotted over the face directly, rather than on the back of the palm and then lifting the product from there on to the face. It will limit skin contact and slow down formula disintegration due to contact with the oils present on the skin of our hands.

Product Claim: 

 How to use:

 

List of Ingredients: 

My Experience with the Product:

The Product is neither too runny or too creamy and spreads well over the skin. It gives medium coverage and if you have obvious blemishes, just take a tiny bit, and dab it over the area with your finger till it blends in. There is no need for a concealer.

I have oily skin, however , on first application, the finish was quite dry, I was wondering if I needed any moisturising prior to application. But within minutes, I could see the product adjusting to a more comfortable state of matte without being drying. However, if you have very oily skin, you can set this cream with a touch of pressed or loose powder. The product does not feel cakey and sits like second skin. It does not settle into pores and lines of the skin. However, it takes about a minute and a half to blend the product in well. I have tried it with a foundation brush, a foundation sponge and my hands. A regular foundation brush doesn't really do the job well. Using the sponge was quite efficient if you do not mind the sponge soaking in a lot of the product. It blended well with my fingers.  Beauties with dry skin will have to moisturise their skin before application.

The product does not oxidise on my skin ( i typically wear the product for about 6 hrs in a day. However, after about 2-3 hrs in the dry summer heat of Delhi, I could see the shine on my t-zone. I just blot it up with some tissue paper and I'm good to go. In more humid weather, I blot more often and apply some pressed powder.

Though I am prone to acne, this product did not upset my skin. That makes me happy.

It is easy to clean up with a regular face wash or cleanser.

At this price point, I think this is a brilliant product! Great for students on a budget, or even a great substitute for a regular foundation-concealer-powder regime, when you are rushed and short on time.

This is my current go-to product for rushed mornings............ which is the case with me more often than not!

Product Swatch: 

 

After Blending

Pros:
1. 2 shades can cover a fairly wide range of skin tones.
2. Attractive packaging
3. Good product consistency
4. Spreads well over face.
5. Medium coverage.
6. Can double up as concealer over minor skin flaws like light pigmentation, freckles, acne marks as soon as the pimple dries up...
7. Does not oxidise too quickly.
8.Gives a matte finish without drying out.
9. Does not settle into pores and lines on the skin.
10.Did not cause any major break out on my skin.
11. Great price-point.
12. Decent SPF 20

Cons:
1. The dispenser can be better to control the amount of product needed. A pump or even nozzle would be better.
2. Dry skinned beauties will need to moisturise skin before application.
3. One shade on each side of the spectrum can be added to cover more skin tones.
4.. Formula may break down sooner on very oily skin or during extremely humid weather, but I suppose we can't get everything at this price point.

Product Rating: 4/5, the score loses half a point because of the dispenser, or lack of one.

Will I buy this product again? Yes if nothing better comes in its place.

Easy Peasy Everyday Smokey Eye for Absolute Beginners (like me)!!

Hi Everyone!!

For the longest time my make up routine consisted of sunblock/mattifying lotion, eyeliner/kohl and lipstick. Its only in the recent months that I have looked at more possibilities in this area. But still, my focus remains on easy, minimum fuss makeup.

So today, I'm going to do a picture tutorial on a very easy smokey eye. I was just playing around with some new makeup and wanted a look that could be carried everyday at work or college, or even a relaxed dinner at a close friend's home. It is a minimal look that can be carried day or night. It is really no fuss and you dont need any sophisticated and expensive makeup tools for this look.

So here goes......

Products used:

a. Oriflame Nude and Grey eyeshadow pallette
b. Maybelline Hyper Curl Volum Express Mascara
c. Florelle Kajal Eye Pencil - Black (you can use any soft kajal pencil which will smudge easily and won't drag your eyelids too much)
d. A flat eyeshadow brush

Step 1:

Clean your eyes, apply primer if you wish (I did not). If you have under-eye dark circles you may apply your favourite concealer. Since mine aren't too noticeable, I skipped that step too.

Step 2:

Apply the kajal/kohl pencil on your upper and lower lash line and also along the lower water line. Don't worry about neatness, we have to smudge it in any case!

Step 3:

 

Lightly smudge the kajal/kohl with either your fingers or a cotton ear-bud, along both, top and bottom lash lines.

Step 4: 

Then with the flat eyeshadow brush apply a wash of the deepest gray eyeshadow that you have along the upper eyelid, from the inner to the outer corner. Blend in with your kajal/kohl.


Step 5: 

Now sweep your darkest brown eye shadow and sweep it just above the grey eyeshadow. Blend the two shadows so its a graduation of colour rather than a sharp differentiation. I did not take the brown shadow upto the crease of the upper lid to avoid creasing of the eyeshadow along the upper eyelid.

Step 6: 

Apply a sheer wash (lightly)of the same brown eyeshadow close to your lower lash line.

Step 7:

Just add a touch of white eyeshadow or a tiny bit of highlighter to the inner corner of your eye to brighten them up.

Step 8: 

Complete the look with some mascara and you are good to go. You may want to reapply the kajal/kohl for a bolder definition. I didn't since I wanted this soft look.

Ladies, if I can do it,so can you. Try it today and tell me how it went for you!!

Cook With Me: Claypot Chicken Rice

INGREDIENTS

1. Rice (washed and soaked for about 15 mins)........1 cup
2. Water...................................................................2 cups
3. Chicken, chopped................................................250g
4. Button Mushrooms ..............................................100 g (optional)
5. Dark soy sauce.....................................................2 tsp
6. Oyster sauce.........................................................2 tbsp
7. Light soy sauce......................................................3 tbsp (optional)
8. Ginger....................................................................2 knobs (about the size of two thumbs)
9. Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make ginger juice by grating ginger into a bowl of two tablespoons of water. Roughly squeeze the juice out leaving the fibre.

 

2. Marinade chopped chicken with ginger juice, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce and oyster

sauce for about 10 minutes.

3. Put water to boil in a pan, if you have a clay pot, nothing like it. I used an aluminum saucepan.

4. When water comes to a boil, add the drained rice, mushrooms and chicken to the pan.

5. when the water is halfway dry, cover half the pan and reduce heat. Let it simmer. Don't cover it completely, or else the water will rise and spill out from the sides!

6. When the water is almost dry, close the rice cooker lid completely and continue cooking for at least 5 minutes, till the water is completely dry..

7. Let it stand for about 10 minutes, to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly.

8. Mix the chicken, mushroom and rice together. The rice will become brown from the soy marinade

9. Serve hot with spring onions, lemon wedges and green chillies.

This makes an excellent tiffin for school or office lunch. You can even add vegetables like capsicum, broccoli, carrots etc, when in season,  to increase its nutritional punch!!

Try it and tell me how you liked it!

Suggest twists to this recipe too!

Hoping to hear from you................

My May FabBag! (2014)

A bit late, but better late than never! Had a health scare with my little one, but now all is well.....

So here's how my FabBag for may 2014 looked:

Well, couldn't show you the bag 9coloured yellow and black), since my brother loved it and nicked it before I could get a photo.

I am excited about all the products in the may bag, and will start putting up the reviews as and when I start using them.

you can book your bag at www.fabbag.com

Lots of Love!