About Lipsticks and Blushes

A Feast for Your Eyes! My New Mac Haul

2014-09-12T21:56:00.000+05:30

There are days when you can go completely overboard and fortunately for me (and unfortunately my bank balance) today was one of those days when I splurged and splurged. Mac store is truly a feast for sore eyes. All those dazzling colors makes my heart go all pitter-patter. So I finally shopped to my hearts content today. Here are some pictures of my haul. Enjoy!

Mac Fluidline Blacktrack: A raved about, popular black liner that I just wanted to get my hands on as soon as possible. Mac describes it as a "Solid, Flat Black" and by the looks of it I agree.

Mac Brick-o-la: A mid-tone berry brown lipstick, this Amplified Creme finish lipstick is part of Mac's permanent collection of super-fabulous lipsticks. I have been applying it constantly since I got it and I am completely head over heals in love with this shade.

Mac Rebel: Ok, I know what you are thinking. This one does look scary in the tube but really when swatched this satin finish lipstick is actually a beautiful purple pink color.

Mac Dreaming Dahlia: This is a limited edition lustre finish Mac lipstick from the Fantasy of Flowers collection launched earlier this year. Thankfully I found it and just latched onto this beautiful sheer coral orange red.

And finally the swatches of the three lipsticks :)

PS. I splurged on my other favorite thing apart from makeup. Books!!!!

I got this from Bargain Hut in Phoenix Mall, Pune which offers great discounts on books. If you are looking for discounts and great deals then do get some coupons for online sites. Check out these great deals:

http://www.cuponation.in/zivame-coupons

http://www.cuponation.in/lenskart-coupon

Do share your thoughts about my haul. Ciao!

Pune Gets a Swank New Mac Store and Mac Viva Glam Rihanna

2014-08-24T18:16:00.003+05:30

Have your dreams ever come true? Mine have when I spotted the scintillating new Mac store in Phoenix Mall, Pune. I literally did a little hop, skip and dance when I saw the store. Of course, I prompltly forgot all my non-shopping (read: savings vow) and went an got myself a gorgeous new red lipstick from Mac.

If you know me you know I love red and I also love anything sparkly. And lo behold! Mac comes with the perfect combination of the two. Mac Viva Glam Rihanna is just gorgeousssssssss lustre finish lipstick ..... The lipstick is encased in a beautiful red bullet and the blue red color is to die for. Here are some swatches of the lipstick.

Thats me all right...a bit vampirish but the color looks fabulous

My Verdict!

If you can find it run for it guys! It is a classic and totally worth it

P.S. Phoenix Pune is soon getting a Sephora!!!! Hurray! fellow makeup lovers.

Ink Blue Nails with Colorbar Exclusive

2014-06-09T15:59:00.001+05:30

Has it ever happened that you loved a freebie more than the actual goodies?

I got the Colorbar exclusive with my last Colorbar haul and have loved the color so much that even before posting the actual haul pics I was already clicking pics of my nails :)

My New Year Shopping from Jabong

2014-01-07T21:08:00.001+05:30

I have been away from blogging for so long and have missed it so much. However, I just had such a brilliant shopping experience recently that I had to write this post. I love online shopping. After all what's not to love. It is simple, quick, and u get exactly what you want. Being a working mom makes this a dream come true. After all who wants to spend the harried day at a mall.

I was tempted to shop at Jabong. It is got such a brilliant selection of products. From branded clothes to some really affordable accessories and of course lots of makeup.

I ordered a black bag, a pretty grey cluth wiith a red bow, and the new L'oreal kajal magique. I ordered it on the 1st of Jan and got my parcel the very next day. The delivery was so quick and all the products are perfect just the way I saw them on the site. I has opted for COD and faced no problems with it. Here is a look at my haul.

Do check out the amazing deals on the site, especiaaly the biggest fashion sale

on the site and get wowed. It hss all great brands Iincluuding Vero Moda, UCB, Steve Madden and so much more. I am so excited about the MUA products on the site that my next haul is sure to be loads of Mua for me.

Pros

Easy to use interface

Availability of just about everything you need

Quick delivery

Amazing sales

Cons

Umm.... can't think of any

Happy Diwali

2013-11-03T10:05:00.001+05:30

Oriflame Very Me Cherry My Cheeks Sweet Coral

2013-06-09T20:25:00.000+05:30

I have never been a hardcore Oriflame fan when it comes to makeup. Yes, they have some great skin care products but really except for the loose powder nothing has been remarkable in the makeup department. This Very Me blush however, changed my perception that all Oriflame products are duds. A lovely warm pinkish coral shade that looks lovely on the cheeks as it looks in the pan.

Price: INR 329 (I got it for a discount)

Packaging: A small chotu round "dibbi" with a see through cover. The cover shuts tightly and sometimes it becomes difficult to pry open the dibbi. The product inside is smooth and powdery. It can get a little messy when you open it as is evident in the picture. However, while applying the blush goes on smoothly on the cheeks.

Pigmentation: The blush is very pigmented. In the swatch below it is just one swipe of product. If you have used the earlier Oriflame blushes you would know they lacked heavily in the pigmentation department but this one gets it right. The blush is smooth and blends beautifully as well.

Blended Out

My recommendation: Get it if you can get it at the price. Its worth every penny.

Mac Viva Glam Lipstick 1

2013-04-27T16:02:00.001+05:30

As a makeup lover (um...more like a makeup fanatic), I know the feeling and heady rush you get when you get a LE product especially when its a Mac product. On the flipside it is also extremely disappointing when you cannot get the one thing that you have been lusting for days. This happened to me when the Marilyn Monroe collection released. Being a red lover, I wanted to get at least two of those lipsticks. Unfortunately each and every one was sold out :(. You can imagine how heartbroken I was. My hubby while sympathizing with me, asked me quite innocently why I was so crushed when there are such lovely shades around. And then the "batti" clicked and I started checking the reds in the permanent line. I had done it before but now I was searching for my perfect red with such renewed vigor that all the people in Mac started staring at me :P...And then I found it..my perfect Mac red..not an orange red or a pink red but a true retro red and no its not Ruby Woo..its Mac Viva Glam Lipstick 1.

Price: 990 INR

The color is gorgeous, a classic timeless red which I can imagine Marilyn Monroe wearing. The first Viva glam lipstick which has been around for 15 years has lost its fan following in these years thanks to its more flashy counterparts like Russian Red or Ruby Woo. However, one look at the intense red and the amazing matte finish and you are sure to be bowled over..

The pigmentation is fab, best of the Mac mattes that I have. The color glides on like a dream and stays on for hours and hours and hours (umm...actually the whole day) There is no patchy dryness or ugly flakes on the lips. Its almost like I am in a lipstick heaven when I wear this..love it so so much. The Viva glam lipstick have the same Mac packaging except for the red inside.

The best part is that each and every penny of the Viva glam lipsticks are donated to the Mac Aids fund. So you are not only getting your favorite shade but also doing some good in the process. Getting this shade has also made me realize that instead of lusting for LE products its a good idea to look at some fab permanent line Mac stuff. Here is how its looks on me and a pic of my darling baby as well (I am such a proud mommy when I see my little one growing up so fast :) )

VOV Eyeshadow Pencil

2013-04-14T23:06:00.000+05:30

I have been MIA for so long that I was starting to miss my blog horribly. Managing home, work and not to forget a boisterous kid can be a tough job. Well, even with all this my makeup craze continues especially my search for cheap and wonderful products. Recently while getting bored at a ‘kirana ka dukan’ I spotted some makeup stuff (yes..yess the kirana walas keep makeup stuff these days..how wonderful for people like me J). The one thing that I was interested in was the eyeshadow pencils from VOV (btw I totally love VOV stuff, cheap and extremely high quality). I got a basic bronze to see how it works and I have to say that I am super impressed.

Price: I don’t remember 150 bucks I guess. It has a net weight of 3.5 grams. They are packaged like the chubby sticks from Clinque and the lip stains from Revlon. Love the cute easy to use packaging. All you need to do is glide it across the lids to get the color. No need for brushes and any messy business

Pigmentation and Staying Power: The color is a golden bronze shade which looks lovely on the lids especially when paired with bright red or pink lips. The texture is rich and creamy which means the eyeshadow glides on effortlessly. Unfortunately the creamy texture means it tends o migrate onto things, which includes your hands, other parts of the face. The staying power is almost nil. It is gone in half an hour!!! The color lasts for some time when used with a primer but there is no significant improvement in the staying power. I now use it as a base for my powder eyeshadows, mostly to bring out the color. This is how the color looks on my lids (which are very pigmented) without a primer.

My recommendation: Its cheap and the color is nice but really the time it lasts on the lids is a complete disappointment.

All my Skin Care Essentials

2013-02-21T12:48:00.000+05:30

Wow its been so long that I did a blog post...well, the reason is not my laziness or anything..I just started working full time and let me tell you girls its a task handling the home and work along with a little one as well. However, I am taking my baby steps towards getting it all done and adjusting to everything. Anyways now that I have started working all that travelling and the horrible pollution in Pune is wrecking havoc on my skin. As a stay at home mom I hardly took care of my skin but now have to be extra cautious. So to get rid of those pesky blackheads and dull skin, I added some stuff to my skin care arsenal (um..makeup drawer). Here are all my skin care essentials that I am loving these days.

VLCC Matte Look Sunscreen Lotion (Price: 175 INR) Once I joined my office I made the cardinal mistake of skipping a sunscreen for a couple of days and then on the third day I looked like somebody had burnt my skin :() So now I make a rule to apply sunscreen before anything. The VLCC sunscreen with SPF 30 is great. It is not heavy or too oily and the best thing is I don't tan so badly nowadays.

VLCC Pomegranate & Aloe Vera Gentle Exfoliating scrub (Price: 219 INR) I dunno when I became this VLCC fan but I am using a lot of their products these days and believe me some of the new launches are really good. This gentle scrub looks like a cream with minute red particles which I am guessing is pomegranate. Unlike other scrubs, i does the job without making my skin all bruised and red. Love this:)

Fabindia Lavendar cleansing milk (Price: 180 INR): This cleansing milk with lavender essential oils and grapeseed extracts is something I cannot live without. I think if there is one skin care essential that I need for the rest of my life it is this one. It has this cooling sensation and removes makeup excellently (except the stubborn mascara).

Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup (Price: 199 INR): I had heard great reviews of it from fellow bloggers. Decided to get it just to see what all the hype was about and totally loving it. Yes it does look like bird poop but believe me it works very very well. I use it twice in a week as a mask and it makes my face look all bright and glowy.

Lacto Calamine Skin Balance Lotion (Price: 118 INR for 120 ml): I generally do not love the other variant of lacto calamine as it makes my skin dry but this one works fine form me. Good as a moisturizer and even gives you a slight glow.

I also got the new BB cream from Garnier but will post a separate review for that. Meanwhile I am loving these cheap yet very effective skin care goodies. Do tell me what your skin care essentials are and whether you are using any of these products.

Mac Face and Body Foundation: N7

2013-01-27T17:36:00.002+05:30

Finally it ended..my wait for the perfect foundation. As a makeup lover you would know the trials and tribulations of searching for the best foundation. Some are too dark, others leave a whitish cast and there are some that makes your face look like a jaundiced patient. I had heard great reviews of the Mac foundation and was extremely eager to try it so when it finally launched in Pune I grabbed one of these. Having tested this sheer, lightweight foundation for over a month now I can now safely say that it is the best things to have ever landed in my vanity.

Price: It costs around 1700 bucks for a 50 ml bottle. The bigger 120 ml bottles are available in Pro stores around the world. Its packaged in a chhotu bottle with a squeezy top.

Texture: The first thing that you notice about this foundation is the runny, watery texture. Now I usually stick to my tinted moisturizers or light water based foundations and hate anything which gives that plastic, cakey look but when I saw the texture of the foundation, I was a tad skeptical whether it would provide any coverage or not. Thankfully all my doubts were put to rest when I saw my face. The first layer of the foundation gives a sheer dewy look. It might look oily in the first go but once it sinks into your skin it gives a nice dewy finish. If you have extremely oily skin you would have to powder your face. I have a combination skin so I usually just powder my T zone only. Once you layer on the foundation a second time you notice the increase in coverage and by the third layer this seemingly sheer foundation gives full coverage with no cakiness!!!! The MUA at the Mac store recommended warming up the foundation between the fingers and applying it on the parts that need more coverage.

The best part about it of course is that it stays on the whole day till the time I remove the foundation. You do not feel the heaviness on your face and the glow lasts forever and thankfully it does not oxidize on face. I apply it with the fingers or with a stippling brush and with both I get a nice finish. I haven’t tested it but apparently it is water resistant

Shade Selection: Mac Face and Body Foundation is available in 13 shades which is amazing compared to the limited shade selection of all drugstore brands. I got the shade N7 in this foundation. I dunno how the shade thing works but the other dark shades like C6 looked quite yellowy on me. N I guess stands for neutral here and matches me perfectly. This is how my face looks before and after using the foundation. (watch out for the before makeup ugly photos)

This is a great foundation and is perfect for me…I love it love it love it…Please do try it

Addicted to Body Shop Sweet Lemon Body Butter!!!

2013-01-06T22:50:00.000+05:30

The Body Shop stores are so addictive. I almost imagine myself magically floating to the store with the colorful tubs of body butters, creams and gels each time I pass it. I can browse and look at the products for hours if only I did not have an irritated husband and a squealing baby while doing so. Recently I came across the Sweet Lemon body butter and boy oh boy I wonder how I missed it for so long. The citrusy, summery fragrance hits you hard when you open the huge tub and when you apply it on your body, it is just so so good.

Price and Packaging: It is priced at INR 775 for 200ml which is really a lot of product. It lasts me for months and sometimes I really wish they had smaller tubs. I got this when it was on a 50 percent discount J. It is packaged in a huge bright lemon yellow tub and you need to dig into the tub to get the soft yellowish creamy body butter. Its kind off unhygienic but its ok with me as I am now used to it.

Texture: Now I am not new to body butters from Body Shop. I had the Cocoa Body butter which is so thick and heavy that I had to wipe it off after some time. I also did not like the Shea body butter for its fragrance. The Sweet Lemon Body Butter on the other hand is meant for dry to normal skin. It absorbs faster than the other body butters I have used from this brand and leaves the skin soft and supple. This is a boon for me in winters as my skin is all dry and parched. This body butter works like magic on the dryness and keeps my skin so soft. It does not linger on the skin or leave any oily residue. It just keeps it nice and soft. Check out how it makes my dry and parched hands look all shiny and soft.

Dry and Parched winter skin

After using Body butter

The smell is just amazing, like freshly squeezed lemons. If you like citrusy, floral smell than you would love this body butter. I apply it at night before going to bed and wake up with the mild smell of the body butter. It is really refreshing for me and am totally addicted to it

Lakme Fast and Fabulous One stroke Nail Color Storm Green

2013-01-04T12:49:00.002+05:30

I am having one of those dull days and nothing not even chocolates can cheer me up. So being the makeup fanatic that I am I just started browsing through my makeup closet (Makeup makes me so happy :)) and chanced upon this fabulous nail paint from Lakme. Now for everyone who knows me or at least has read my blog knows that I am not a fan (Thats a nice way of saying "hates") of our very own Indian Lakme. However their recent nail paint launch (well its not recent anymore), the Fast and Fabulous range is really really good. The colors and the quick drying part is just so nice and many beauty bloggers are in love with the nail paints.

I picked a beautiful green color from this range called Storm Green a long time ago from my hometown Cuttack where the only counters I can find is Revlon, Streetwear and Lakme. So anyways when you do not have many choices you do tend to pick up anything. In this case I am thanking my stars that I did pick this up. Its a gorgeous fun shades that instantly brightens my mood. It was launched for 175 bucks and later prices were increased to INR 199

Moreover I like the packaging with the square cap and the long brush. The only thing is holding the cap and applying the nail paint is somewhat tricky. However, you can easily miss the drawback when you have such a nice color. It dries very quickly too. Lame says it sets in 40 seconds and I can vouch for the fact, it does do that. Here is how one coat of the nail polish looks on my nails. I so want to add a layer of glitter nail polish on top but I just do not have one right now :P

Happy New Year 2013!!!!

2013-01-01T10:43:00.000+05:30

Hope this New Year hails in happy times for everyone. Hope this new year there are lesser crimes against women, hope this new year we wake up and realize our responsibility to not only society but also to ourselves. May we never turn a blind eye towards the suffering of women be it on the road, on a bus or even in our own homes. Stay safe and enjoy the year

Look What Santa Got Me!!!

2012-12-26T18:14:00.003+05:30

I spent a really dull Christmas yesterday with nothing very exciting happening. This in contrast to childhood where we spent the entire December singing carols at school and decorating Christmas Trees (Well, we all have to grow up someday I guess) But lo behold when I reach home I find a package for me. Its my Vellvette box containing all lovely goodies and I could not wait to open it. Here is what I got.

Elizabeth Arden Visible Optimizing Skin Serum

To tell you the truth I am quite nervous about using this product thanks to my horrible experience with the Elizabeth Arden capsules. Let's see how this one fares *fingers crossed*

Bath and Body Works Cashmere Glow Body Lotion

This is my third body lotion. I guess the Vellvette team thinks I am a huge body lotion fan. However, am not complaining love love the smell of this one

Cabotine de Gres perfume

Chotu vial that I really loved. The smell is a nice fruity, a little strong one but I just adore it. So handy for travelling also

Anna Andre Deluxe Creme Lipstick 40203

Never heard of the brand. Apparently Anna Andre is a makeup artist from Paris with her own line of cosmetics. The packaging of this lipstick reminds me of nyx jumbo lip pencil. The color is an extremely dark brown with a hint of shimmer. The formula is nice and mositurizing. I just really really wish it was any other color.

Apart from this I got some mac goodies for me as well. Finally got the Face and Body foundation (which is just amazing!!!!) and Mac Mehr (gorgeous for everyone). Here is my Mac Haul

Mac Face and Body Foundation in N7 : Don't ask me why it is N and not C but this one is a perfect match. The others are a little too yellowy on me.

Mac Mehr: A gorgeous dirty pink shade that looks yumm with smoky eyes

I also got a pink envelope clutch for myself from Lifestyle and my hubby darling got me a set of mini Dior perfumes from Dubai Duty Free while he was travelling :)

Mac Plumful Lipstick: Review and Swatches

2012-12-19T16:48:00.001+05:30

Hmmm..with the number of lipstick reviews on my blog I think I should just change its name to About Lipsticks and Lipsticks but then can a girl ever have enough lipsticks. Not me though especially when I have the tempting Mac store around. I adore Mac lipsticks for its wide choice of colors and finish. However, there is one finish that I had never tried before and that is the lustre finish. Now for all those who are new the Mac finishes, lustre is a slightly sheer finish which adds a bit of color but does not quite hide the ugly pigmentation. This however is not the case with Mac Plumful which is a gorgeous sheer lipstick with just the right amount of color that gives you gorgeous glossy lips.

Price: INR 990. It’s a permanent Mac shade

Color and Pigmentation: Mac describes Plumful as blossoming rose plum whatever that means. Anyways Plumful is a plumy pink shade with a nice glossy finish. Lustre finishes are generally very sheer but Plumful is quite opaque not completely though but it just covers up the lip pigmentation. On me it looks like a neutral pink. On fairer skin tones it would be a darker plum. The color is buildable and after three four layers it goes completely opaque. However for a more natural look I use just two layers of the lipstick. On my lips the color lasts for around two to three hours which is fairly alright. The texture is smooth and silky. It is not moisturizing or creamy however

Plumful is a great pink for Indian skin tones especially the darker girls who have trouble finding a nice neutral pink. Although I still love Mac captive and it continues to be my favorite plumy pink, this one is equally beautiful as well. Moreover the glossy finish adds a nice touch to the lips. This is how it looks on my lips (Sorry for the ugly FOTD..camera just dint seem to pick up the color at all)

My recommendation: Get it if you are looking for a beautiful pink lipstick

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules Intensive Treatment: A Review

2012-12-10T15:22:00.000+05:30

What is with long names? I have never understood why products have to have such long names that don’t even make sense and are so hard to remember that by the time you have read the last word you will probably forget the first word. For someone who even forgets her anniversaries long names can be a bane especially when you are trying to remember the name at the store. Anyways enough of my cribbing. Let me move on to reviewing the product (Now for the sake of convenience or sheer laziness I will refer to these capsules as just “the product”).

How the Company Describes the Product

“Pure, potent, intensive single dose capsules. Our innovative CLX Complex delivers the restorative power of Ceramides and essential lipids to help strengthen skin's barrier against the visible signs of time.

Visibly improves skin tone and clarity.
Supports skin's own natural collagen levels for a firmer, more resilient look.
Works to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Retexturizes skin for a noticeably softer, smoother look.”

Well, you know how disappointed I was with the October box and one of the reasons for it was this product. The tiny five capsules were disappointing enough (Really it was only five) and a anti ageing product did not seem to be high on my list of skin care needs. However I was really hoping to see at least teensy weensy results regarding improvement of skin tone and clarity. I did not see anything. I mean it did nothing. Now I really did not have very high hopes considering the quantity but for the price which is a whooping 3400 bucks for sixty capsules I expected to see at least something.

To use it I broke off the top of the capsule and squeezed out the oil on my palms. The quantity is just about enough to cover the face and neck. Thankfully the oil has no weird smell. After cleansing the face, I applied the oil and slowly massaged it into the face and neck. The oil absorbed quickly into the skin leaving the face moisturized. It is non greasy and you do not have to end up with an oily face.

The problem: Well, I got tiny red bumps after that. I do not have sensitive or oily skin mind you and experiment a lot with skin care but somehow this product managed to give me those small, extremely itchy zits on my chin and neck. These remained for around four to five days after which I used it again just to make sure whether this was the product that caused the allergic reaction and lo behold I get those zits again..Aaaarghhh!!! Seriously I felt like killing someone that day.

I used three of the capsules and except for the zits I did not really notice anything. I have read great reviews for it on the net but my experience with these was not good. I guess it is meant for mature skin. Have you tried this product and how was your experience using this?

Mac Lipglass in Restless (Styleseeker Collection): Swatches and Review

2012-12-05T14:09:00.001+05:30

My Mac obsession continues and recently on one of my hurried Mac visits I spotted this beautiful extremely pigmented lipglass from the Styleseeker collection. Launched in India around a month back, the Stylesseker collection has got some of the best lipglass (and blushes..do check it out Hidden Treasure..it is perfect for Indian skin) collection that I have ever seen. There is a shimmery blue based red lipglass called Ready to Roam, a gorgeous orangish lipglass called Eclectic Edge and of course my favorite out of the lot Restless which is a coppery red shade with golden shimmer in it. Now mind you I am not a fan of Mac lipglasses and had just one lipglass before I got this. Somehow the sticky texture and the low pigmentation does not quite appeal to me. However, the moment I swatched his lipglass on my hand I knew I was hooked. It is pigmented, shimmery and the perfect color for any Indian outfit

Price: It is priced at INR 950 and is available in Mac stores as a Limited Edition product L (Plsss..plss..Mac make it permanent)

Color and Pigmentation: Mac describes the color as dark burnt bronze. It’s a gorgeous bronze red shade with minute golden shimmer. I has the classic vanilla fragrance along with excellent pigmentation and opaque coverage it totally covers my dark lips. The shimmer in the lipglasses is not gritty. It just adds a nice glossy touch to the lips. The color lasts for around three hours on my lips thanks to the sticky texture. Application is pretty easy with the doe foot applicator and the color spreads evenly on the lips. My lips extremely are chapped this winter and thankfully this lipglass does not accentuate the lines. That does not mean it is moisturizing. The sticky texture can also be a little irritating especially when you have flyaway hair sticking to it but then it is ok.

My recommendation: This one is a must have..I am probably going to get a back up J Do check out the Styleseeker collection for the lovely lipglasses. Fluid lines and blushes

November Vellvette Box

2012-11-27T22:49:00.001+05:30

After my disastrous October box I had decided that I did not want to get any more of these boxes. Then my sister who is more of a skin care fanatic comes home and sees the stuff that I have got and is really..really delighted. In fact the OPI nail polish and the Victoria Secret body lotion from my October box is now hers J. She convinced me to go for a three month subscription of the box and am really happy I did so. The November Vellvette box goodies are so amazing and are just made for me.

Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Gel: It is actually a night cream that revitalizes the skin. I so love night creams and just can’t wait to try it. The 50 ml bottle costs INR 2850

Forest Essentials Mashoba Honey and Vanilla Bath and Shower Oil: This just smells heavenly. I have used it just once and kept smelling my hand the entire day. The beautiful scent just lingers on and on. It is got a cream consistency and moisturizes the skin really well after a hot shower. This one is a definite winner especially during the winter months. The full size 200 ml bottle costs 1175 bucks.

Nyx Ultra Pearl Mania eyeshadow in Penny Pearl: A lovely loose eyeshadow that is glittery, finely milled and extremely soft. Penny Pearl is a reddish copper shade that looks beautiful on the lids and has minimal fallout. I tried a hurried look and although it did not turn out very well you can see how pretty the eyeshadow is. I haven't used a primer in this look and I did not observe any fallout or excessive glitter

I am so so happy. The body lotion and the gel are my first products from the brand. I am really excited to try the brightening gel and the body lotion just smells heavenly. Many people did not like the Nyx sample in the box as it is not really a luxury brand but I loved it.

How I Lost my Pregnancy Weight

2012-11-23T12:36:00.000+05:30

Recently I went to a family function (my husband has a HUGE extended family in Pune) and after a lot of bending down to touch everyone’s feet and a whole lot of gossiping and complimenting each other’s saris, the conversation moved on to our favorite family topic “how I lost all my pregnancy weight” . Someone said I was lucky, others (the snobbish elders) claimed that I just dint eat anything while one very intelligent aunty asked me if I had been to any dietitian. I just smiled.

The Astounding Weight Gain

Pregnancy was one of the happiest phases of my life. I had no morning sickness, no BP problems or swelling of hands and legs. I was simply happy, glowing and eating like a monster. That is an understatement actually. From being an underweight 50 kg I had swelled to a whopping 68 kg by the end of my pregnancy. The entire “extended, slightly overweight family” was delighted to say the least. Someone even told me how I was now in their league finally J. I didn’t care really I was so..so hungry all the time and not to mention that sweet cravings (I had five dairy milks in a day). I was pampered and spoilt silly by my mom and both my sisters. Unfortunately I had to go for a C section during delivery but I recovered fast. Within days I was back on my feet and doing everything but there was one thing which nagged me now, my weight and that huge flabby tummy.

From being a happy mom to be I now became an extremely irritable mommy. I screamed and shouted and had just no patience for anything. I have no pictures of those days simply because I just did not want to face a camera. Thankfully my mom and sisters helped me tide over that postpartum depression and recovery phase of my life. As I had a C section I could not really exercise for at least three months but I did follow some basic weight loss tricks to shed the extra kilos.

I Ate

I know for people who are trying to lose weight these two words would be very surprising but that is what it is. I ate and ate. The only difference is that from eating high fat food with nothing but grease and oil, I switched to eating healthy. By healthy I do not mean uncooked veggies and stupid salads with loads of mayonnaise. I ate normal cooked meals six times a day. Before getting pregnant I was not much of a breakfast person but after I got pregnant I was hounded by my mom to have breakfast everyday (She called me up before breakfast everyday to remind me…phew mothers what would we do without you). I continued this after having the baby as well. I ate first thing in the morning and then after every three hours. This kept my metabolism ticking and I started shedding my pregnancy weight.

Image sourced from Google Images

It is best to stick to simple food like roti, subji, rice and dal. Please do not have the diet chiwda, low fat biscuits and what not. I just cook at home and eat fresh. I ate everything even the so called “fattening foods” like rice and potatoes and still lost weight. I even had my occasional chocolates and mango cheesecake. If you are a new mom trying to lose weight then please do eat everything especially if you are breastfeeding. Your baby and your body both need the food.

I Worked Out

This was the hard part and new mothers will agree with me. When you have a wailing baby and have been up all night you cannot really exercise. I did not really push myself. In fact it was only after six months that I started light exercises and yoga again. After my baby turned one year old I started working out for fifteen minutes each day. I combined this workout with yoga and simple weight loss exercises like squats, lunges and jogging. I did around ten surya namaskars in morning and the workout later in the day. I did not lose weight initially but after some time I felt lighter and more energetic.

Image sourced from Google Images

Do Not Push Yourself

Having a baby is a great experience and I love spending time with her and enjoying everything that she does. I could not take this away from myself just because I wanted to lose weight. So I just took it easy. After all I am not a Victoria Secret model who has to lose weight to walk the ramp. Pregnancy weight is hard to shed and I had to give myself time. Of course in the meantime people did try to pull me down by passing off stupid comments like “You are now in our league” and “Bacha hone ke baad koi patla nahi hota” . I would just smile. After all when I am thin again people will still comment so why waste energy listening to them. Of course I still am not as thin as I was once but I am still at it and that is what matters.

me with my lovely Aaru

Mac So Chaud is So Hot!!!!

2012-11-16T12:16:00.002+05:30

If you know me you would know how crazy I am about orange red lippies. If you don’t then ask my hubby who will tell you of the sleepless nights I spent just because I had a nightmare that the LE lipstick Scarlet Ibis is all sold out J. Well, what can I say now I have Scarlet Ibis and also this gorgeous reddish orange lippi in my Mac pro palette called So Chaud. Its gorgeous, beautiful, hot, totally wacky orange red shade with the red being a little more subdued than the orange. Mac describes So Chaud as being an intense reddish orange which is a perfect definition of this sexy color. It suits warmer skin tones because of the slight yellow tones in it. It is from Mac’s permanent line of lipsticks and is priced at INR 990.

The surprising part and the reason I love Mac matte lippies is because of its texture. Now So Chaud is a matte lippi which unlike other matte lipsticks is smooth and not drying at all. It stays on for well a long long.. long time. I was out in he heat for around six hours and the liipi had not even faded (How cool is that!!). The only thing is that when it does fade it tends to fade a bit unevenly leaving you with little bubbles of lipstick on your lips (I just take out a tissue and wipe off the lipstick and then reapply)

Despite the high price tag and the uneven fading I love this lipstick and somehow wonder why I haven’t bought it before. Here are the swatches and FOTD.

Here is a comparison with Mac Scarlet Ibis which is a LE edition lipstick (It was launched in the Scarlet Ibis collection and will now again be re-launched with the upcoming Marilyn Monroe collection in India) . Both are similar but Scarlet Ibis has more red than this one. Both are beautiful with amazing matte finish and gorgeous pigmentation.

Mac Pro Lip Palette in Editorial Oranges: Mac Crosswires Lipstick

2012-11-06T13:48:00.001+05:30

I am still swooning over my Mac pro lip palette in editorial oranges. Other than the fact that I am a hardcore Mac fan who suddenly finds her wish coming true and gets six lipsticks in a single palette (sigh…), this palette also reminds me of my orange tabby cat. Yes I am a total cat person and have a beautiful tabby named Genie who is well probably one of the most spoilt and pampered cats in the entire world. See the swirl of orange fur on that oversized cat. Does it not remind you of So Chaud and Lady Danger and the beautiful pink nose is just the perfect Mac Crosswires….okay..okay I am just rambling. I know it’s the heady feeling that comes over me every time I see that palette.

Well, to get down to business. This Mac palette available only in Mac pro stores contains five beautiful orange and bronze shades all of which are thankfully there in the permanent line as well. The total weight is around 6g so you get around 1g of product which is ok for a lipstick lover like me who has literally a hundred different lippes in her kitty. I will be reviewing each shade separately as they are well all different and special.

So Chaud: An intense reddish orange

Sandy B: A light pink frost lipstick

Look at Her: A sheen supreme metallic copper lipstick ( my first sheen supreme lippi)

Morange: An extremely loud orange shade (There is no red or hint of any other color in this one..its totally orange “love”)

Crosswires: A coral pink shade

Bronze Shimmer: Its bronzy and shimmery (totally Indian weddings kind)

My favorite shade that resembles my cat’s nose (not meant as an offense my cat is like my baby) is Mac Crosswires which is quite a popular Mac shade. It’s a gorgeous pinkish orange shade which looks more pink on my lips which are dark and pigmented. Mac describes this shade as a clean pinky orange and that’s what it is (Whoever names these Mac lippies is just so intelligent) It looks “neonish” on fairer girls but on me it is more subdued and pretty. In fact this is a shade that suits everyone whether you are dark or fair.

Crosswires is a Creemsheen finish which are quite nice not overtly drying and stay on for a nice three to four hours. They are pigmented and provide nice opaque coverage. Its like the perfect summer lipstick. In the swatches it lookes pinky but it does have hint of orange which my camera is unable to capture.

The lipstick is available in Mac stores in India for INR 990. It’s a great buy and if you are looking for the perfect coral lipstick then do give this a try.

NOTD: OPI Nailpolish in Strawberry Margarita

2012-11-05T12:43:00.001+05:30

In my recent Vellvette box I got a mini OPI nailpolish of around 3.75ml. The full bottle is available at Vellvette site for around 520 bucks. Strawberry Margarita is a fun peppy bright pink color that is sure to lift your spirits on a gloomy day. Despite my lack of interest for nail polishes, I adore this one. Its opaque in about two coats and does not chip easily. the formula is good, not streaky and its easy to layer it on. Moreover, the beautiful watermelon pink reminds me of my favorite Mac Impassioned lipglass. It looks just like a nail polish version of that :)

5 Reasons Why You Should Grab the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Raspberry Pie

2012-10-31T16:20:00.000+05:30

Recently I showed you the pics of the things that my hubby hauled for me from US. Well, among the things that he did not get me from my way to loooooong list of makeup stuff were the Revlon Colorburst lip butters and let me tell you I was pretty sad about that
(Yes…yes I know what you are thinking about how this girl is getting so greedy n all but what can I say its makeup after all). So when I got to know that they were launched in India I let out a whooping sound of glee (I was in a crowded restaurant, logged onto my facebook account, screaming like a maniac and people around just thought I had gone bonkers J). So the next time my hubby lets me loose around the makeup counters I rush to the Revlon counter, swatch all the lip butters and get this one (all in 5 minutes..we girls are just so talented). Let me tell you these lip butters are worth all the wait, hype, drama and even the crazy looks. Here are five reasons why you should grab or even make a run for Revlon Colorburst lip butter in Raspberry Pie.

1) Lovin the Color: Raspberry pie is a dark raspberry pink shade. It is more like a fuchsia pink than reddish pink on my lips (The swatch may look different but check out my FOTD to see how it looks on my lips). I believe it is one color that looks absolutely stunning on any complexion. Unlike some other shades in this range the color coverage of this one is completely opaque and in one swipe you can hide all your lip pigmentation. It also has a nice sheen to it thanks to the creamy texture but there is no obvious shimmer in it.

2) Out of the world texture: The texture of this lipstick is to die for. I love my Revlon Colorburst lipsticks but the lip butters especially Raspberry pie takes the lip balm plus lipstick concept to a whole new level. It is smooth, creamy and yet does not transfer or bleed. These are not lip balms, in fact they are more like creamy, sheer lipsticks. You do not need a lip balm with this one as its adequately moisturizing on its own

3) Ooohh…don’t we love pretty packaging: As I have said again and again I am a sucker for nicely packaged makeup goodies and the lip butters have definitely not disappointed me. The colored quilted lipstick covers is cute and handy especially when you are trying to locate a lippi. The top shuts nicely and I have no problems carrying it in my bag that is often stuffed with baby food and diapers.

4) It lingers on: It stays on for a nice four to five hours on my lips often leaving it moisturized even after that. Its not much but really with the balmy texture I wasn’t expecting the good staying power

5) Its finally here!!!: Umm I know its no reason to try a product but if you are a makeup lover then you should try these delicious lip butters. They are so worth it. Here is an FOTD with Revlon Colorburst lip butter Raspberry Pie

The only downside is that it is a bit expensive in India. So you will need to shell out a good 600 bucks for it and let me tell you it hurts especially if you are reapplying it often. However, on the whole I think its worth everything even the price tag. I am going to collect a “few” (read all) too ;)

My October Vellvette Box

2012-10-29T16:28:00.000+05:30

I am disappointed.. really really truly disappointed. In fact I did not really want to put up this post but did so at the last moment. Now I know how many people love their Vellvette boxes but for me it really didn’t work for me. For people who have no idea about this, Vellvette box is a beuty box that contains grooming and beauty samples from some good brands including Clarins, Lush, OPI and Chanel. This concept is really popular out of India but most of these “boxes” including Blisscovered and others failed in India. I had never really ordered for any of these boxes simply because I was really skeptical about the products they were going to include but with good reviews of the first edition of the Vellvette box I decided to give it a try.

I had to fill up my preferences in a form which is all well and good but I think they really did not understand what I wanted or just did not bother. Well, I subscribed pretty early and received the box last week. The packaging is kind of cool with those black boxes and pink ribbon and the light pink packaging for that feminine touch. Inside you can find the three products along with discount coupons and notes saying why the product was sent to you and how to use it. This is what my October month Vellvette box contains

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules Intensive Treatment (Whew..what a long name)

Small golden capsules containing an oily product that is supposed to zip away your dark, spots and early traces of wrinkles. Since I have no traces of early wrinkles at 27 years of age I am hoping the five teeny weeny capsules help me with the dark pigmented spots on my face. The full size pack costs a whopping 3900 bucks and with Vellvette box you get a 500 bucks discount. I doubt if I will ever use it but lets wait and watch.

Victoria’s Secret Amber Romance Hydrating Body Lotion

I cannot stand the smell of this one, it is really, really strong so even if it is really good I doubt if I will ever use it. Full size pack costs 810 bucks and you get a 75 bucks voucher in the box.

OPI Nail Varnish Strawberry Margarita

I love cosmetics but I never ever buy expensive nail polishes. Somehow my mind has not evolved beyond that hostel girl mentality of buying “15 bucks ka nail polish”. I know a lot of nail polish lovers will probably hate me but I do not like the inclusion of a nail polish in my box. The color is a nice bright pink and screams summer. You can get a OPI nail polish for 520 bucks or order for four small bottles of OPI nail polish at INR 1080. There is a gift voucher of INR 75 with this.

Clinique High Impact Mascara Black

I was one of the first 100 subscribers of the box so they included a fourth product which is the Clinique high impact mascara. Many of the September subscribers must have got this. I hardly ever use mascaras and buy one when the other preferably my Maybelline Colossal Volume mascara expires or gets over. So again I dunno what to do with this. The full size mascara costs INR 1350. There is a gift voucher of 150 bucks with it.

I was really expecting some better makeup products preferably the eyeshadow and blush face kit or a skin care product like the Lush sugar scrub or even a perfume sample I had seen other subscribers get. Thank God the box only costs INR 400 and I did not spend any more on things I will never use. I am probably never going to subscribe again but I hope this box continues as it’s a great way of getting trial sized products in India. It is actually quite affordable and has some makeup goodies unlike other beauty boxes launched earlier.

Haul!!!! And Why am I Jumping Like Crazy

2012-10-17T14:00:00.002+05:30

I am just ecstatic, crazily happy, in seventh heaven (or is it the ninth???), delighted, delirious with happiness and all those things. Well, for a makeup fanatic like me what better way to light up my world than with loads of makeup. I hauled or rather my dearest, sweetest hubby hauled a lot of makeup stuff from me from Chicago and guys I GOT NAKED (ummm..not in the real sense of course). I mean I got the Urban Decay Naked Palette and am so…so…so.. happy. To top it all my husband’s hotel was close to a Mac Pro store and after a lot of begging and pleading he got me a lovely lip palette called editorial oranges featuring some of the best Mac orange lippies including Crosswires and So Chaud (YAY!!!!!). These newly launched lip palettes are available only at pro stores. He also got me a Hard Candy blush named Hot Flash (Well, cosmetic companies do know how to name their products) from Walmart which is just crazy pigmented and costs just 6 dollars.

Of course while he was shopping for me there I got some things for myself as well which includes the sexy Mac Impassioned lipgloss and a beautiful blush from Oriflame which to my surprise is actually quite good. Of course I got two Maybelline Color Tattoos as well (I need all of these) So without blabbering too much here are my haul pics..Enjoy!!!!

Urban Decay Naked Palette (Features the Urban Decay Primer Potion and Karma brush)

Mac Pro Lip Palette in Editorial Oranges and Mac Impassioned Lipglass

Hard Candy Fox in a Blush in Hot Flash

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows: Pomegranate Punk and Bad to Bronze

Oriflame Beauty Perfect Blush in Classic Rose

Tell me how you liked my haul and what you want me to review first