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!

#Inveda BB Cream: Review, Swatches and Photos

Hi All!

Time for another quick review. Today's product is INVEDA BB Cream 8-in-1 Cream With Magnolia and Almond SPF 20 Matte Colour.

Product Claim: 

Product Price: INR 140/- for 15 ml of product

List of Ingredients:

My take on the Product:

Inveda BB Cream comes in a plastic squeeze tube packed in a cardboard carton. The packaging is cute and handy and can be carried around in your purse. The formula is quite runny and takes a little while to blend into the skin. It looks a bit ashy on my skin during the blending process but settles in about 15 minutes time. It has a pleasant powdery fragrance. This product comes only in a single shade. It will leave a whitish cast on duskier complexions. It gives very little coverage and even if you have minor skin imperfections, you will need a concealer. The product did not even out my skin. I did require a dusting of pressed to set the product.

Its USP is that its paraben free. It has SPF 20 and is meant for all skin types. Its not oily, though my T-zone looked shiny in a couple of hrs. The product did not oxidise for about 4 hrs. 

However, the formula tends to look patchy and you need to exfoliate your skin for a smooth application. This product is meant for younger skin with few imperfections. Not quite for me ;) . 

Pros:

1. Paraben Free
2. Has SPF
3. Handy packaging
4. Pleasant powdery fragrance
5. Stays for about 4 hrs before fading and oxidising.

Cons:

1. Comes in a single shade
2. Leaves a whitish cast on duskier complexion
3. Patchy finish.
4. Very little coverage.
5. Need to exfoliate before application to get an even finish.

Overall Verdict: 2.5/5. There are better products in the market at this price point though they may not be paraben free.

Under Natural Light

Under Natural Light

Under Artificial Florescent Light

Stay beautiful!

Product Review: Za True White Liquid Foundation in OC 30

Hi Everyone!

Za has taken India by a storm with their skin care products. Bloggers are raving about these products. However, the Za True White Foundation has had some mixed reviews. So lets see whats all the noise about....

I was quite excited about this foundation when I first heard about it. And despite reading very mixed reviews about the product, especially its shade range, I still picked up this product. In part I blame Nykaa.com for tempting me with a discount offer I couldn't refuse! 

Hey don't think I am criticising Nykaa.com, I think it is by far the best cosmetics and personal care online sale portal in India.

I picked up the darkest shade: OC30

Product Price: INR 950/- for 30 ml of product.

Product Claim:

• Get virtues of Skin care now in make-up with Za True White Liquid Foundation.
• Get Enriched with Vitamin C & E, Minerals & Hyaluronic acid, this Breakthrough Illuminating & Pore less Liquid Foundation creates Pearly Translucent & Radiant skin. SPF 26-PA++ protects skin from UVA and UVB.
• Now get long lasting satin smooth & even-toned coverage.

Ingredients List: 

My Take on the Product:


The Za True White Liquid Foundation comes in 6 shades of which OC 30 is the darkest. The product comes in a sturdy, curvy glass bottle with a pump dispenser and a silver plated, plastic lid. the bottle is further packed in a see-through plastic carton which carries all the product details.

The product itself is somewhere between creamy and runny and spread easily over my skin. I've tried this product both with my fingers and a foundation brush. The product gave excellent results with both. 

The product gives medium coverage. It may be buildable but I did not try it because the darkest shade in the range is still too light for me. The first time I applied it, I think I got too much on my face and I had to fairly wipe it off my face with a tissue. 

With this product, less is more. On immediate application, the face looked far too white, but it did even out to a more natural look in about 10 minutes. It did minimise the appearance of pores (I do have an open pore problem). The product has a finish somewhere between matte and dewy. 

It lasted for about 6 hrs on my face without it getting too shiny. But then its real test will be in the hot and humid months

This foundation comes with PA++ and SPF 26 which is great but that means it does not photograph too well.

I actually liked the product and how it felt on my skin. But the only problem is its limited shade range. It wont cover nearly 75% of Indian skin tones.

Pros:

1. Easily Available both in malls and online stores
2. Contains vitamin C, E, Minerals & Hyaluronic acid
3. PA++ and SPF 26 for UVA and UVB protection
4. Medium coverage
5. Spreads easily.
6. Applies well with both, brush and fingers
7. Good and hygienic packaging
8. Minimises appearance of pores and other minor skin imperfections 
9. Lasted for about 6 hrs without need for blotting (in winter months)
10. Gives a good finish between matte and dewy.
11. Gives a natural finish, if appropriate amount applied.

Cons:

1. Does not photograph well (but this is not the deal breaker)
2. Limited shade range. 

Overall Verdict: 4/5

I actually really like the product. I like what it does for the overall look of my skin. The only problem is the limited shade range. However, I have been able to make it work for my skin by adjusting the amount of product I apply.

Product Review: Laqa & Co. Fat Lip Pencil in Siren Song

Hi Everybody!

How have you all been? The weather is really turning now and summer isn't too far away.

I will be doing a quick review of the Laqa & Co. Fat Lip Pencil in Siren Song.

The product came in the January 2015 Edition of FabBag.

Product Claim:

Formulated with a blend of oils and healing vitamin E, the pencil provides lasting moisture in addition to a glossy finish. The smooth buttery texture coats lips in stunning, glossy color and comes in a handy jumbo pencil that needs no sharpener.
How to use:Starting at the center of your top lip, sweep outward in each direction. Repeat on bottom lip. No need to sharpen: As the pencil wears down, simply twist the bottom to release more.
Product Price: INR 800/- for 3 gms of product.

Product Swatches:
 

My Take on the Product:

Laqa & Co. Fat Lip Pencil is another edition of Lip Crayons that have flooded the market in recent times. It comes in a white, plastic twist-up packging, accented with the colour of the lip crayon. It has a transparent cap which makes it easy for you to identify the colour. The product comes in 4 shades, of which,I chose Siren Song.

Siren Song is a bright Brick Red colour with yellow undertones. It will suit fair to medium wheatish complexion. Its a wearable red  for Indian skin-tones. 

On application, you need a few swipes to get the true colour. The application is not butter-smooth and tends to remain patchy if you are not too careful. The product is not very moisturising and it tends to stick to the dry bits on the lips. It did play up the creases on my lips. Ideally you should scrub your lips and moisturise them before application. It has a creamy finish on application, but soon settles into a more matte look.

The product perhaps contains peppermint because I felt a cooling sensation and a minty smell on application. However. It disappears in about 10 minutes. I don't really care about the peppermint, but that is not a deal breaker.

The product is transferable and did stain my coffee cup. However, to be fair, the product did not clain to be transfer proof. The product lasted on my lips for about 4 hrs with some light snacking and drinking.

Pros:

1. Nice wearable red
2. Transparent cap and colour accent on packaging helps identify colour.
3. Twist up packaging means no sharpening and no wastage of product.

Cons:

1. Does not come through on the promise of being moisturising. 
2. Product tends to stick to dry bits on lips.
3. Settles in the creases of the lips.
4. A bit steep considering it does not do much for the lips.

Overall Verdict: 3/5

I was not too happy with this product and I feel its a bit overpriced. It does not quite fulfill its claim of being moisturising for the lips. There are better products in the market than this one. However, all being said, the colour is really nice.

Have you used this Lip Pencil? What are your thoughts? Do let me know in the comments section below..

FOTD: An Easy Day Look

Hi Everyone!

My last post was about a weekend getaway to Amritsar. It's a Temple town so I thought it best to sport a traditional, yet smart look for the day around town. This is a universal day look, whether you are out for coffee with friends, at work or shopping.

 I have used a bare minimum of products to create this look.






Products Used:

1. Olay Total Effects Day Cream
2. Za True White Foundation OC 30
3. City Color Cheek Stain in Mauve
4. Himalaya Kajal
5. Elle 18 Liquid Eyeliner in Black
6. Oriflame Powershine Lipstick in Cocoa Burst

 

What  do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments section below...

LOTD: Soft,Romantic, Spring/Valentine's Day Look

Hey Everyone!

I can smell spring in the air! And to celebrate that I have put together an easy soft, romantic look that can be worn during the day. You can even sport this on your Valentine's Day date!

I have paired a gold eye with soft coral lips and a hint of rose on the cheeks.

Products Used for this look:

Face: 

1. Bodyography Primer
2.  Lakme CC Cream in Bronze
3. Chambor Light and Sheer Skin Highlighter
4. Faces Vanishing Act Concealer
5. City Color Cheek Stain

Eyes:

1. LaSplash Eye Primer
2. Beauty UK Eyeshadow Collection (I have used the highlighter, Gold and Bronze shades)
3.  Florelle Kajal Eye Pencil
4. Maybelline New York Volum Express Mascara

Lips:

1. Oriflame Very Me Lip Crayon in Coral
2. Maybelline New York Lip Polish in Glam 3

I did not use a liquid/gel eyeliner to maintain the overall soft look.
 

I have kept the look really soft and dewy. I did not use a powder since I wanted to avoid the matte look so early on on spring (there will be enough time for that in the long Indian summers).


 So what do you think of this look? Let me know in the comments section below!

Stay Beautiful!

Product Review and NOTD with #Oriflame Pure Color Nail Polish Mini in Burgundy Wine

Hey Everyone!!

I have been a long-time Oriflame user. I have liked most of their products. So I will be reviewing another product from their stables.

In recent months I have been really drawn to simple nail art and have built a decent collection of nail polishes.

Today's NOTD is Burgundy Wine nails with a Gold accent.

So here goes....

Product Claim: Glossy, high-shine nail polish in a wide range of exciting shades. Gorgeous finish, fantastic colours.

Product Price:  INR 129/- for 6ml

 

 

My Take on the Product: 

 

I have usually liked using Oriflame products, especially their colour cosmetics. I really liked using the Midnight Blue (check out the review HERE ) from this range of Nail Polishes. However ,I was quite disappointed by their Burgundy Wine variant! he formula is very thin and runny and you need at least 3 coats for a near opaque finish. The colour itself is quite gorgeous with really tiny shimmer particles which gives it a nice glow.

Another problem was that the tips began to wear off within a few hours. By the end of the first day, the polish had begun to chip off. Even after refreshing the polish, it chipped from the tips within  a few hours. However, I did not face this issue with the Midnight Blue variant.

 This variant will perform better with a base and a top coat.

Pros:
1. Lovely Shade
2. Tiny shimmer particles make it a nice colour to wear on a regular basis.

Cons:
1. Very runny and thin formula
2. Needs at least 3 coatstolook close to opaque.
3. Tips wear off within a few hours.
4.Chips by the next day of applicaition.

Overall Verdict: 2/5

What has been your experience with this nail polish? Do share your thoughts in the comments section below.

My FabBag January 2015

Hi Everyone!

Time again for a peek inside my FabBag! The theme for January 2015 is Beauty Unmasked. This month FabBag introduces two new brands... LAQA & Co. and BIODERMA.

Let's Unbox!

 

Here are the individual products......

SeaSoul Dead Sea Mud Mask

Price: INR 3195/- for 200ml

Size in Bag: 50 ml

Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant Face Wash
Product Price: INR 1299/- for 200ml
Sample Size in Bag: 10 ml

 

LAQA & CO. Fat Lip Pencil in Siren Song
Product Price: INR 800/- for 3 gms
Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

Splurge Daily Moisturiser with Sun Protection
Product Price: INR 420/- for 100 ml
Sample Size in Bag: 35 ml

In this month's bag I am most excited about the SeaSoul Dead Sea Mud Mask. I'll do a review once I have used it for a while...

Along with the January bag, FabBag sent a cute butterfly mask. My girls are in love with it!

Have Fun!!


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