Avon True Color Perfectly Matte Lipstick: Swatches

Hi Everyone!

Matte lipsticks are the latest rage and all known and lesser known brands are joining the bandwagon. The latest entrant has been Avon India. They have launched 10 shades in pinks browns and reds,under the name True Color Perfectly Matte. In today's post I'm showing you the colour swatches. I'll do a detailed review only after I have had a chance to try them out some more.

This range claims to be more matte than MAC, but, since I have not tried the MAC lipsticks, I cannot really comment on that. 

However, this product won't burn a hole in your pocket. It is priced at INR 479/-, currently the brand is offering an introductory 25% discount. So you get it for INR 359/-.

In Natural Light

In Natural Light

Under Florescent Lighting

Under Florescent Light

That's a fair range of colours, however there are some  shades which will not suit a fair number of India skin tones.

Shades I Like from this Range:

Mauve Matters
Ruby Kiss 
Vibrant Melon
Coral Fever
Splendidly Fuschia
Red Supreme 
Chocolate Crush

Shades which may not suit Indian Skin Tones:

Au Naturel would be almost invisible on most of us
Ideal Lilac
Electric Pink


So which ones do you like?

See you later........!!

Product Review: Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Creme

Hey Everyone!

Time for another review. This time its a lip product for the Lakme stables. I picked up the colour Plum Rush since I was looking for a deeper shade for the winters. Let us see how the product fared on me...

Product Price INR 650/- for 3 gms 

Product Claim:

This is more than just a hint of tint! The new Lakme Absolute Lip Pout brings you a thick creamy Crayon that will give your lips a rich deep color and incredible shine in just one stroke. A range of high performance make-up collection, these lip tints come in pop, happy colors that will make your pout definitely stand out! Pick the Lakme Absolute Lip Pout Creme Lip Color in Coral Pink, right away!

• Extra creamy lipcolor with excellent color pay off
• Retractable pencil that requires no sharpener
• To be stored below 30°C
• Comfortable application and Vibrant shades
• Available in 10 shades

My Take on the Product:

The Lip Crayon comes in a plastic case with a silver coloured cap. It has a twist-up format which I really like, since it means almost no product wastage. The formula itself is really creamy and moisturising. The colour pay-off is quite good, considering this is a lip tint. It has a mild, candy-like fragrance and after-taste, if you happen to lick your lips, But it disappears soon and didn't really bother me.

The shade that I picked up is called Plum Rush. It is a rich, brownish red colour that adds warmth to my complexion. It has a very 'lip balmy' texture. The application is smooth. But it tends to be a bit streaky on the first swipe. It takes about 2-3 swipes to even out the colour on the lips. The Lip Tint has a lovely sheen on application. The product is really moisturising, though you cannot apply it over chapped lips. The product tends to 'grab' around the dry bits. I do not have very dry lips, so it worked pretty well for me. 

The Lip Tint survived some light snacking, but smudges and wears off during meals. It is not transfer resistant so it will stain glasses as you drink. It did settle into the fine lines of the lips, but I spotted it only when I looked very, very carefully. So That is not really an issue. The product does not really stain when it wears off, just leaves behind a hint of colour. Reapplication is not a problem. And I love the fact that it is easy to remove. I hate long-lasting lipsticks and eye products, which require too much rubbing and scrubbing to get off your face at the end of the day! 

In natural day-light

In white light

Pros:

1. Comes in a sturdy, retractable packaging, thus minimising product wastage.
2. Creamy and moisturising.
3. Moisturising effect remains even after the colour fades.
4. Good colour pay-off
5. Candy-like fragrance, but not too sickly sweet.
6. Decent staying power. Lasts for about 4-5 hrs with light snacking.
7. Easy to remove.
8. A good range of shades.

Cons: 

1. Application can be a bit streaky.
2. Price is a bit steep for what the product offers.

Overall Verdict: 3.5/5.  Though I liked the product very much, it is unlikely I will buy any more shades from this range. Similar products are available at a much lower price point, especially if you are looking to buy the lighter shades in this range. However, all said and done, its a nice product for dry lips.

Think and Stay Beautiful!

Product Review: Avon Metallic Effects Nail Enamel in Jade Reflection

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing a new nail polish launched by Avon India. Avon has a wide selection of nail paints at different price points. The new Metallic Effects range has just been launched in August 2015. It comes in five shades namely, Jade Reflection, Icy Purple, Foiled Chrome, Arctic Steel and Copper Gleam. Of these, I am reviewing the shade Jade Reflection. Let us see how the product fared on me...

Product Claim:

Avon's Metallic Effects Nail Enamel comes with

• Ultra Reflective Mirror Shine Finish
• Intense Metallic Polish
• Chip Resistant

Product Price: INR 249/- for 8ml

 My Take on the Product

The Avon Metallic Effects Nail Enamel comes in a rectangular glass bottle with a black plastic cap. The brush has a good thickness and helps apply the product smoothly. The formula of the product itself is excellent. It is not thin and runny like many nail polishes. It is comfortably thick and gives true colour and opaque finish in one application. For the swatches here I have applied only one coat. I'm not so sure of the mirror finish, but its definitely has a beautiful metallish sheen to it. It really does catch the eye!

The product lasted well on my nails. Considering I had applied only one coat and no top coat, I could see fading on the tips after 4 days of wear. That too was quite imperceptible and would be visible on close and careful scrutiny. There was no chipping for almost 6 days. So, I would say, the product comes good on its promise.

All the colours in this range are really pretty. I know I will pick up more shades in this range.

Pros:

1. Good packaging.
2. Good brush, helps in smooth application.
3. Few shades, but each one is really nice.
4. True colour and opacity in one coat.
5. Lasts for a good 4 days before fading at the tips.
6. No chipping for 6 days.

Cons:

1. I would have loved a lower price point..

Overall Verdict: 4.8/5. I've loved this Nail Enamel. And I'm buying more shades!!

Have you used Avon Metallic Effects Nail Enamel? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments section below..

Product Review: Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus Nourishing Nail Color

Hi All!

Today I will be reviewing a Nail color for the house of Sally Hansen.  Sally Hansen has been a well known brand for hand and foot care and especially their range of nail products.Their nail colours boast of nail protecting and growth properties. I had received this particular product in my FabBag a couple of months ago. Let's see how this product fared on me...

Product Price: INR 675/- for 13.3 ml of product

 

Product Claim:

A growth treatment that fortifies and protects nails so they can grow. Triple-protein and silk formula instantly reinforces soft, bitten and weak nails.

 Ingredients:

BUTYL ACETATE, ETHYL ACETATE, ALCOHOL DENAT., NITROCELLULOSE, ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, TRIMETHYL PENTANYL DIISOBUTYRATE, TRIPHENYL PHOSPHATE, ETOCRYLENE, BENZOPHENONE-1, HYDROLYZED CORN/SOY/WHEAT PROTEIN THIOGLYCOLAMIDE/ THIOPROPIONAMIDE, HYDROLYZED SILK, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENESIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, HEXYLENE GLYCOL, D&C RED NO. 6 BARIUM LAKE (CI 15850), D&C YELLOW NO. 5 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 19140). 

My Take on the Product:

I got the colour Tender Mulberry (31) in a FabBag. Its a nice neutral pink shade which would suit most Indian skin tones. The product come in a transparent glass bottle with a plastic cap with a steel finish. The consistency of the nail polish is more runny than most formulae I have used. The product is enriched with  Soy proteins and vitamins A,C and E. These additives are to help protect the nails from chipping and breaking, so you can allow you nails to grow. The application brush is thinner than any other nail polish I have used. It makes the application more accurate. This Nail polish needs at least two coats to come close to an opaque finish. For full opacity, I needed 3 coats. The product dries pretty quickly, but the process slows down after the second and third coats are applied. 

I like the colour since its a nice summery pastel and I could carry it off with most of my clothes that I wore through the week. The polish stayed well for two days after which it began to fade away from the tips of my nails. I had to reapply the polish to my tips on the 3rd day. I like my nail paint to last at leat 5 days before I remove it and let my nails rest. So this was a bit disappointing. 

As for nail protection and maximum growth, I can't really say. I do not have any major chipping or breaking problem, so I don't know whether it helped my nails or not.

Pros:

1. Well known brand
2. Contains Soy proteins and Vitamins A,C and E
3. Pretty Shade, will look good on a variety of skin tones.
4. Slim brush for easy and accurate application.
5. Transparent glass bottle makes it easy to spot the colour from among others.

Cons: 

1. Faded from tips within two days.
2. Needs at least 3 coats to give opacity.
3. Drying time between coats is an issue.
4. Quite Pricey.

Overall Verdict: 2.5/5. I'm not so happy with the product. The nail polish began to fade the very next day of application.  I have better nail polishes at much lower prices. It is unlikely that I will buy this product.

Did you like this review? Have you used Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus Nourishing Nail Color? What did you think of it? Let me know in the comments section below.

Think and Stay Beautiful!

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!

Product Review, Swatches and Photos: Lakme 9 to 5 Insta Light Instant Glow Creme (With Sunscreen)

Hey Everyone!

Today I'm going to do a quick review of a new product launched by Lakme called Insta Light Instant Glow Creme (With Sunscreen), under the 9 to 5 banner.

Product Price: INR 149/- for 40 gms of product 

Product Photos:

List of Ingredients:

How to Apply: 

My Thoughts on the Product:

Lakme has been coming out with new products quite regularly and the latest is the Insta Light Instant Glow Creme (With Sunscreen). Its a product pitched for Indian summers. It is said to contain pearl and mineral powders to give a luminous glow to the skin. It does not claim to hide blemishes or even out the skin tone.

The product comes in a silver coloured, plastic, soft tube with pink accents. The tube comes packed in  cardboard box in the same colour coordinates.

The product itself is is pale pink in colour. The texture is quite creamy but does not feel oily. It has a floral scent which disappears after a while. I applied it straight after cleansing my face. I could immediately feel a mattifying effect on my skin. But it was not uncomfortable. I could definitely see a radiance on my face on application, from the pearl and mineral powders. This is not really a product for ladies with dry skin. However, if you prime your face with some moisturiser before applying this creme, it should work. It works on my combination to oily skin.

The product did not hide any blemishes or marks. To be fair, it does not claim to do so. However, it did bring a noticeable glow on my face. The effect lasted for about 3 hrs outside of an AC. It worked on my dusky complexion (MAC NC 43), but I'm not sure sure how it will work on darker skin tones.

The product package mentiones sunscreen, but does not give any SPF number or PA+ signage. So I'm not entirely sure how long one could wear it in the sun without getting a tan.

It is a very reasonably priced product and at this price point, I think its a great product for school and college goers, however, I will suggest you wear a good sunscreen underneath, when going out.

Before Application

Applying only on the right side of the face

Discernible difference between the left (no product) and right (with product)

Side with product

Side without product

Pros:

1. Reasonable price
2. Fuss-free packaging
3. Does as promised, gives a mild glow to the skin
4. Suitable for oily skinned beauties
5. Did not leave a white cast on my skin
6. Has Sunscreen
7. Does not make tall claims
8. Great product for students on a budget.

Cons:

1. Not sure how it will work on darker skin tones.
2. Does not mention SPF or PA+ factors
3. Mainly meant for oily skin. May be uncomfortable on dry skin

Overall Score: 4/5. Within this price point, I think Lakme has done a good job.  The only reason why I have given it -1 is because it does not mention the SPF/PA+.

Did you find this review helpful? Have you used this product? What did you think? Please leave your comments in the comments section below.

Till next time......

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!