Corallista Makeup Blog

Cannes 2013 : Aishwarya Rai Bachhan in Elie Saab

Corallista — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:20:44 +0000

This year at Cannes, Aishwarya Rai Bachhan made her first appearance the Red Carpet in a gorgeous Elie Saab gown and her signature smokey eyes-nude lips look. Her hair was styled in loose luxurious waves. I think she looked great!

Cannes 2013 : Aishwarya Rai Bachhan in Elie Saab

The dress looked lovely on her and showed off her new slimmer avatar to perfection! Coming to the makeup – its not different from her usual look but I liked that pop of antique gold glitter on her lower lash line. It looks a LOT like MAC Genuine Treasure Paint pot. I’ve been recreating her Cannes Makeup looks since the past 2 years now and I’ve already got requests for this look. Watch out for a tutorial in the coming weeks!

I think she looked a lot better compared to last year’s Elie Saab look (also in grey tones) which despite her heavier frame, could have looked better with better styling. I did not like the hair and slightly greasy looking makeup from last year ~

L’oreal Paris Ambassadors at Cannes 2012 : Aishwarya Rai

What do you think of her look?

Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Peach Please (Poptints Collection) : Review, Swatch, FOTD

Corallista — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:49:36 +0000

Hi everyone!

Few days back I swatched all the shades of the Lakme Absolute Lip tints HERE. And now the series of individual reviews begins! I’ve already reviewed the shade Pink Sorbet which I liked – both shade and formula-wise. Peach Please however was a different story.

Price : Rs 800 for 2 g

Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Peach Please (Poptints Collection)

My take on the Product

I ranted enough about the packaging in the previous review so I won’t go over that whole thing again. In a nutshell, I feel it could have been prettier and more attractive, I just find it a little drab.

The texture of all the shades in this range is quite creamy and smooth. But not to the point of melting in the tube or crumbling during application. The pigmentation and wear time varies from shade to shade. Peach Please is a soft sheer peach color containing shimmer. On most Indian skin tones, this would be a very nude shade and would not give opaque coverage to pigmented lips. I don’t like how it looks on my medium complexion and slightly pigmented lips. Dusky girls should stay away from this, in my opinion it would look unflattering on medium to dusky complexions.

What I really dislike about this shade is that it gets patchy on the lips (being very creamy) and just adds to the whole general unflattering look. I don’t like the way Lakme does shimmer in their lip products – its too chunky and sticks on the lips once the color fades off. Peach Please – being so light and non-staining, wore only about 3 hours on me and faded off significantly with a meal. The only redeeming feature is that the formula is moisturizing and if your lips are feeling really dry, it softens them up and gives a comfortable feeling. But in doing so, it still LOOKS really weird and patchy on the lips. I actually had to do a lot of work of exfoliating my lips properly and applying the color in layers to make it look decent for the pictures.

Unless you’re very fair skinned and in love with the color, I would not recommend this to you. I have been testing the other shades from the Lip tints which I’ve liked a lot but this one is just a big disappointment!

Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Peach Please (Poptints Collection)

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Swatches – Candy Kiss, Peach Please

The GOOD about Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Peach Please :

Smooth, creamy texture
Glides without tugging on the lips
Feels very moisturizing
Softens up the lips

The NOT-SO-GOOD about Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Peach Please :

Chunky shimmer
Looks patchy
Low wear time
Unflattering shade for medium to dusky complexions
Packaging could have been more attractive

Lakme Absolute Lip Tint Peach Please (Poptints Collection)

Overall Verdict

If you’re going to shell out Rs 800 on the Lakme Absolute Lip tints, Peach Please is not the one to go for. The shade is a soft nude peach with shimmer that may work for fair skin but I really dislike the chunky shimmer and patchy appearance that this shade acquires on my lips. Being sheer, it doesn’t give much cover for pigmented lips. The Poptints range has some really good shades, this one was a disappointment.

Rating : 2/5

Have you tried the Lakme Absolute Lip tints? Which color would be your pick? Share your comments below!

Also read :

Lakmé Absolute Poptints Lip Tints ~ Swatches

Lakmé Absolute Poptints Lip Tint Pink Sorbet : Review, Swatch, FOTD

Budget Monday ~ My Top 6 Budget Makeup Products (Indian Edition)

Corallista — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:08:32 +0000

Hey everyone!

On the Budget Mondays feature today, I have a compilation of my favorite Budget makeup products! Previously, I’ve done these kind of posts under the titles budget beauty or makeup for beginners/college students etc. but since my last post, I’ve discovered some new products that deserve a place in this list.

My Top 6 Budget Makeup Products (Indian Edition)

1. Maybelline BB Stick/Garnier BB Cream (Rs 250/Rs 99)

I love the coverage, finish and longevity of the Maybelline BB stick, BUT I hate the shade selection. I have to ‘mix’ the 2 shades Radiance and Fawn to get my perfect shade but I feel that defeats the purpose of a quick fix product. I still like it a lot though and would recommend it to women with oily skin. Reviewed HERE.

The Garnier BB cream is effortless to blend as well but is a little sheerer and feels water based though not too runny or thin. It gives a soft glow to my skin and evens it out. Reviewed HERE. Can work for all skin types.

Since these 2 are products in the same category, I’ve grouped them together. You can take your pick depending on your skin type and the kind of coverage/finish you’re looking for.

Maybelline BB Stick/Garnier BB Cream

2. Lakme Eyeconic Kajal (Rs 199)

This is the only kajal I’ve used up completely (though I used it more as a liner than kajal!). I love it! Its soft and creamy in texture, fairly smudgeproof and stays on well. Priced at Rs 199 its pricier than Maybelline Colossal (Rs 150) but the Colossal Kajal stings my eyes a little so I avoid using it. You can read my full review HERE.

Lakme Eyeconic Kajal (Rs 199)

3. Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipsticks (Rs 225)

I think the Colorbar Velvet Matte lipsticks are just fantastic! They may not be super creamy and smooth but they are very pigmented and stay on very well. You can always use a little lip balm to counteract the slightly drying matte finish. I love the shade selection of this range – nudes, fuchsias, pinks, oranges, corals, reds – this range has everything! See shades Peach Crush, Oh My Magenta and Over the Top.

Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipsticks (Rs 225)

4. Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour eye shadows ~ Bold Gold, Bad to the Bronze (Rs 350)

These are my go-to eye shadows when I’m in a hurry! Powder eye shadows don’t stay on that well on my lids without a primer underneath and for some reason, I always end up skipping eye primer while doing my makeup. With these Maybelline eye shadows, I get about 4-5 hours of solid wear after which they begin to crease/fade a little. But still good enough!

Bad to the Bronze and Bold Gold are my absolute MUST-HAVE shades from this range. Reviewed HERE and HERE.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour eye shadow – Bad to the Bronze

5. Nivea Fruity Shine lip balm ~ Pomegranate (~ Rs 130)

I have loved this product for years now! Its moisturizing and has the prettiest tint that works great for pigmented lips. I know a lot of people love this, if you’ve not tried it out – you’re missing something!

Nivea Fruity Shine lip balm ~ Pomegranate

6. Rimmel Stay matte powder (Rs 195)

I’ve been reading such rave reviews about this one and initially I just didn’t get what all the fuss was about! It doesn’t do anything miraculous to the skin – its pretty sheer and works decently well as a setting powder though it doesn’t give me any more oil control than some of the pricier powders I’ve tried. Don’t expect miracles but its a nice powder and delivers well for its price.

Rimmel Stay Matte powder – 009 Amber (Rs 195)

I’ve not included any international brands that are not available in India (eg. Sleek, MUA, ELF, Wet n Wild) so that you can pick one of these easily in India if you like! I intend on doing an ‘International Edition’ of this feature soon!

Hope you found this post useful! Do let me know your budget favorites in the comments below!

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder 009 Amber : Review, Swatch

Corallista — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:18:32 +0000

If you follow even a single UK based blogger/Youtube guru, you have no doubt heard about the wonder drugstore powder – Rimmel Stay Matte Powder! I saw it at Parcos Infiniti Malad (Mumbai) on my last trip there and picked it up without a second thought. Its super affordable and I saw 7 shades at the store.

Price : Rs 195 for 14 g

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder 009 Amber

My take on the Product

It comes in a very simple, fuss free packaging. The powder is in a round pan housed in a plastic circular tub with a clear, screw on lid. It doesn’t come with an applicator or mirror. I never use applicators (sponges/brushes) that powders come with anyway, but a mirror is handy for touch ups. When I bought my piece home, I realized that the cap was a little loose and didn’t screw on tightly. I thought I’d go back and exchange it but somehow I couldn’t and ended up using it anyway.

The texture is fairly smooth though not silky soft or powdery. It has pretty sheer coverage so it works quite well over foundation as a setting powder. It doesn’t give a cakey look to my face, doesn’t look heavy and just gives a nice soft matte finish to my foundation. Since the name was Stay Matte, I’d expected slightly better oil control. It doesn’t give me any extraordinary ‘stay matte’ effect. My (Very) oily T-zone and inner cheeks begin to show shine within 2-2.5 hours and I need a blot and touch-up after every few hours – which is pretty much what I get from pricier powders as well during the summer. Because its not too mattifying, it would work well as a setting powder for all skin types.

It has a mild fragrance which I’ve heard people describe as ‘old-lady’ scent Its pretty mild and not unpleasant so it shouldn’t be a bother!

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder 009 Amber

The GOOD about Rimmel Stay Matte powder :

Simple, fuss-free packaging
Smooth texture
Gives an even, soft matte finish
Does not look cakey/heavy on the skin
Very affordable!
Wide shade range

The NOT-SO-GOOD about Rimmel Stay Matte powder :

Slightly flimsy packaging (specific to my piece)
Doesn’t come with a mirror – not the best handbag compact
Doesn’t control oil for long

Overall Verdict

Overall, I think its a nice light powder – good for setting foundation/concealer or just over tinted moisturizer. It gives a soft matte finish, doesn’t look heavy or cakey though doesn’t really mattify oily skin for long. Its handy for travel though my piece is a slightly defective. You’d need to carry a separate mirror and applicator with this so its not exactly handbag material. I still think its a good powder and excellent value for money!

Rating : 4/5

Where to buy : Online at slassy.com and at Parcos Stores.

Have you tried the Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder? Which is your favorite pressed powder? Share your comments below!

More Rimmel London ~

My Rimmel London Haul & Swatches!

Rimmel London Vinyl Lip Gloss 550 Lovesick : Review, Swatch, FOTD

Rimmel London Glam eyes Quad eye shadow 014 Bold Behaviour : Review, Swatch, EOTD

Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl 004 Taupe : Review, Swatch, EOTD

Do you like multi-tasking beauty products?

Corallista — Sun, 19 May 2013 12:53:56 +0000

A reader’s query for an all-in-one face base (foundation+concealer+powder) set me thinking about multi-tasking beauty products. I know a lot of women like multi use products but I for one prefer products that do one thing – and do it well. I’ve never been a big fan of lip/cheek tints – most can be drying on the lips or too creamy for my oily skin if not drying on the lips. Shimmery blushes make my pores look huge and I prefer using a matte/satin blush with a highlighter on the cheek bones. If I’m traveling though, I do like taking along such products to save up space – something like Maybelline BB stick is pretty handy – it takes up very little space and doubles up as concealer.

The only multi-tasking product that I can say I LOVE is the Kerastase Elixir Ultime Serum – you can use it pre-wash, as a leave in conditioner or as a serum on dry or damp hair to tame the frizz and add some shine. Sometimes I even use it before using heat on my hair.

What are your thoughts on Multi-tasking beauty products?

Fun Saturdays Vol. 36 : ‘Would you Rather’ Tag (Beauty Edition)

Corallista — Sat, 18 May 2013 19:06:20 +0000

Hey everyone!

Hope you’re having a nice weekend! This Saturday I decided to something different for this feature. I’ve seen the ‘Would you Rather’ Tag on a lot of Youtube channels and beauty blogs and I thought it’d be fun to do it! I’ve picked up the questions from different blogs and here’s my Would you Rather Tag ~ Beauty Edition! I’d love to know your answers to these questions as well so don’t forget to answer in the comments!

Would you Rather (Tag ~ Beauty Edition)

1. Would you rather wear one eye shadow or one lipstick for the rest of your life?

Eyeshadow. I love my lipsticks too much to stick with one and I’d rather choose a nice neutral shade to wear forever with different lip colors.

2. Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

I think I’d go with bright nails. I quite like a bright pink or coral nail paint and its something I won’t get bored of compared to say a dark burgundy or navy color.

3. Would you rather go out with messy hair/nice make-up or nice hair/no make-up?

I’m not used to styling my hair a lot on a regular basis and most times I just tie it back. Even though I’m beginning to realize how much of a difference nicely done hair can make to the overall look, I guess I’d go for nice makeup and messy hair – I’d probably tame it a bit by tying it back (or covering with a head accessory?).

4. Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

I’d give up nail polish any day over makeup!

5. Would you rather leave the house with an obvious foundation line or overdone blush?

Ahh this is a difficult one but I guess overdone blush. It is the lesser of the two evils!

6. Would you rather have a bad haircut or bad hair color?

Bad hair cut. There’ll be more options to still do something to salvage it than a bad hair color.

7. Would you rather have Youtube or Twitter taken away forever?

I’ve really taken to Youtube since I started making videos this year. I guess I’d choose Twitter over Youtube to be taken away forever.

8. Would you rather give up using makeup brushes or mascara?

Makeup brushes. Even though they really do help, I think I can manage with my fingers for most of the basic stuff. Detailing in eye makeup would be difficult but I’d rather have simpler eye looks than no mascara. Mascara really opens up the eyes and draws attention to my long lashes, I can manage without kohl/liner if I just have mascara. If I was very adept at using false lashes, I would have chosen giving up mascara but I’m not!

9. Would you rather never being able to paint yours nails again or never use lip gloss?

This is a tough one because I’m more of a gloss than lipstick person. But I guess I could get the same effect with tinted balms/butters or glossy lipsticks so I can manage without lip gloss!

10. If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?

Even though I have an unhealthy obsession with makeup (that just grows everyday), I think I have enough makeup, definitely a LOT more than I need. I guess my wardrobe could use a makeover. I’d buy clothes!

I tag all of you lovely readers to answer these questions ~

1. Would you rather wear one eye shadow or one lipstick for the rest of your life?

2. Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?

3. Would you rather go out with messy hair/nice make-up or nice hair/no make-up?

4. Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?

5. Would you rather leave the house with an obvious foundation line or overdone blush?

6. Would you rather have a bad haircut or bad hair color?

7. Would you rather have Youtube or Twitter taken away forever?

8. Would you rather give up using makeup brushes or mascara?

9. Would you rather never being able to paint yours nails again or never use lip gloss?

10. If you had $1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?

You needn’t answer all the questions, just answer as many as you like! I look forward to seeing what you would choose!

Have a good weekend

Lakmé Absolute Poptints Lip Tints ~ Swatches

Corallista — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:44:59 +0000

Hey everyone!

Few days back I reviewed the shade Pink Sorbet from the Poptints collection! In this post, I’ve swatched the entire 8 shades from this range. The Lakme Poptints collection is a Limited Edition for Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013.

Lakme Poptints Lip Tints ~ Swatches

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Candy kiss Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Peach Please Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Swatches – Plum rush, Berry Pink

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Plum Rush Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Berry Pink Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Swatches – Plum rush, Berry Pink

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Grape Hint Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Orange Tease Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Swatches – Grape Hint, Orange Tease

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Wine Punch Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Pink Sorbet Swatch

Lakme Poptints Lip Tint Swatches – Wine Punch, Pink Sorbet

Lakme Poptints Lip Tints

As you can see from the swatches, the collection s a mix of sheer and pigmented shades, Peach Please and Grape Hint are the softest shades – best recommended for fair complexions. The most pigmented and vibrant shades are Plum Rush, Orange Tease and Wine Punch. Berry Pink and Pink Sorbet are great as everyday pinks!

Price : Rs 800 for 2 g

I’ve reviewed Pink Sorbet HERE. Reviews/FOTDs with the other 7 shades coming up next week!

Which shades would you pick?

Also read :

NOTD : Lakmé Absolute Nail Tint (Poptints Collection) Orange Squash

NOTD : Lakmé Absolute Nail Tint (Poptints Collection) Blue Breeze

Lakmé Absolute Poptints Lip Tint Pink Sorbet : Review, Swatch, FOTD

Look : Glamorous Smokey eyes – Nude Lips

Corallista — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:45:51 +0000

Hey everyone!

I decided to do a glamorous smokey eye look today! Paired the black smokey eyes with warm bronzed skin and a warm nude lipcolor.

Look : Smokey eyes – Nude Lips

Products used for the eyes :

1. MAC Smolder eye kohl

2. Black eye shadow from Sleek Bad Girl palette

3. Bourjois Extrait eye shadow no. 09

4. & 5. MAC eye shadows – Soft Brown, Ricepaper

6. Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara

7. Ben Nye concealer wheel

8. False lashes (not pictured)

Look : Smokey eyes – Nude Lips

Products used for the Face :

1. MAC Matchmaster foundation no. 03

2. Rimmel Stay matte powder – no. 009 Amber

3. ELF HD blush – Superstar

4. Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer – Princess

Look : Smokey eyes – Nude Lips

Products used for the Lips -

1. L’Oreal Paris Color Riche lipstick – Nature’s Blush

Look : Smokey eyes – Nude Lips

Hope you liked the look! I’ll have a tutorial for this look up soon! I tried doing loose curls for this look but it didn’t come out too well!

Don’t forget to leave your comments below!

NOTD : Lakmé Absolute Nail Tint (Poptints Collection) Orange Squash

Corallista — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:35:46 +0000

Lakme Absolute Nail Tint (Poptints Collection) Orange Squash

I’m not very happy with this particular shade – it applied streaky and even after 3 coats, I didn’t find the finish flawless. Dried fairly quickly though and the wear time is decent, it doesn’t chip for upto 4 days on me. The color is quite fun for the summers though! Priced at Rs 250, Limited Edition.

See the shade Blue Breeze from this collection.

Have you tried any of the Lakmé Absolute Nail tints?

Also read :

NOTD : Lakmé Absolute Nail Tint (Poptints Collection) Blue Breeze

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Balm Fuller Fig : Review, Swatch, FOTD

Corallista — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:16:25 +0000

Hey everyone!

Here’s another Clinique Chubby Stick for you! I’ve already reviewed the shades Graped-Up and Chunky Cherry, you can check these posts for full reviews. This post contains photos, swatch, FOTD and a quick overview of the shade Fuller Fig.

Price : Rs 1025

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Balm Fuller Fig

Overall Verdict

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balms combine sheer color with a comfortable balm texture that is natural and effortless on the lips. The color intensity can be built up layering, enough to even out pigmented lips and the emollient texture keeps the lips hydrated and smooth. I love buttery textures and even though these are expensive, they are quite worth the splurge! If you like tinted lip balms and love the cute packaging, do give these a go! Fuller Fig is a peachy brown shade that gives a sheer color to the lips, enough to even out but not cover pigmented lips. I like wearing with a heavy kohled look for everyday wear.

Rating : 4.5/5

Also read :

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm Graped-Up : Review, Swatch, FOTD

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Balm Chunky Cherry : Review, Swatch, FOTD