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11/30/12

FOTD ~ Side Swept Bangs & Wearing Recent Purchases

It's -1 degree in Newcastle right now....brrr.... my feet are never warm!
I've become hyperactive after midnight these day, and I actually cut my bangs at around 2 am last night. I always regret cutting bangs, but this time I feel okay about them because my hair has become very flat in this freezing weather. I'm actually in the mood for a drastic hair makeover, but I'll let them get healthy first.... or not, I'm an impatient curious cat.
Face:  Revlon Colorstay Foundation, Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder.
Eyes: Urban Decay Snakebite. Buck on the crease, Half Baked on inner corners, Lakme Eyeconic Kajal & Bourjois Intense eyeshadow #10 Matte Black to smudge, Rimmel Scandleyes Mascara
Cheeks: Revlon Photoready Blush in Coral Reef . Reviewed here & The Body Shop Honey Bronzer #1 to contour under cheekbones
Lips: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle. It's less coral than it looks up there. True color in pic below. I will post photos & swatches soon.
Hairband: Miss Jo, New Delhi. 
Earrings: Forever 21 

11/29/12

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Minaj Lipstick Review & Swatches

When you buy a MAC Viva Glam Lipstick, the money goes to the MAC Aids Fund. A recent statement by MAC:
"M·A·C Cosmetics is going to make twice the impact this year on World AIDS Day. On Saturday, December 1 M·A·C Cosmetics will match all VIVA GLAM product sales on any of the MACcosmetics.com ecommerce sites for a double donation. Typically one VIVA GLAM purchase can buy five meals for a person living with HIV but with M·A·C Cosmetics’ donation match on World AIDS Day a VIVA GLAM lipstick purchased online can buy 10 meals. 
M·A·C’s commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS occurs 365 days a year through the sales of our VIVA GLAM products, 100 percent of the sales price of VIVA GLAM products goes directly to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. This year on World AIDS Day, M·A·C is going to make an even bigger impact by matching all sales of VIVA GLAM products purchased on maccosmetics.com and giving twice the money to the M·A·C AIDS Fund.,” 
Shade ~ Viva Glam Nicki Minaj Lipstick is a bright yellow pink. It's very bright pink with a coral tinge. Compared to MAC Chatterbox, it is warmer & leans more towards a coral-pink. It is also lighter than MAC Impassioned.
Finish ~ Satin. This finish is just slightly more creamy than a matte finish.

11/26/12

November Makeup & Beauty Haul ~ Rimmel, Maybelline, L'oreal, Collection, MUA, Etc

These are most of the makeup & beauty products that I got this month, apart from the  MAC Collection & some little things that I forgot to put in these photos. Loving some of them, hating some of them.....I've included mini thoughts on a few of them here, in case they are in your wishlist.

11/24/12

Revlon Photoready Cream Blush Coral Reef Review

Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Coral Reef is an intense true coral. When I was done clicking these pics + looking directly at the bright sky, I started seeing coral spots...or bubbles. Very weird.
This cream blush is like no other cream blush I've used before, and I couldn't wait to tell you all about it!

11/23/12

Get The Look ~ Demi-Eyeliner

Do you frequently make a mistake while applying eyeliner and you end up drawing it thicker than you want it to be? I've lost count of the number of times! To make it (look) worse, I don't have much lid space to spare for rubbish like that. So for my everyday look, especially when I'm in a hurry, I resort to the demi-eyeliner (or half-eyeliner)
If you have hooded lids like mine, this style will give the part where they begin to droop down a little bit of lift.
 ***Demo on the right is done on a photo from another tutorial & the liner is a drawing, not a real eyeliner =D 

11/21/12

MAC Cremesheen + Pearl Collection To Launch In India

M.A.C Presents Cremesheen & Pearl 

A shimmering twist on an instant classic. Cremesheen Lipstick and Cremesheen Glass get infused with crushed pearl in 15 new Asian-inspired shades. Modern pinks, nudes and corals pop and glow against all skin tones with a light-reflecting finish that leaves lips luminously and decidedly lacquered. With foolproof coverage, gleaming shine and creamy gloss, this smooth and seductive update to Cremesheen is Double Happiness for your lips.

C R E M E S H E E N  L I P S T I C K
  • Japanese Maple  Frosted light beige
  • Pure Zen  Frosted warm nude
  • Peach Blossom  Frosted cool nude
  • Shanghai Spice  Frosted neutral pink
  • Sunny Seoul  Frosted light warm pink
  • Pink Pearl Pop  Frosted mid-tone pink
  • Coral Bliss  Frosted light coral
  • Saigon Summer  Frosted bright orange

Japanese Maple

11/20/12

Lipstick Crush! It's Not Red, It's Not Pink....

I have a huge crush on this lipstick! I want to wear it everyday. Yes, I'm wearing it right now. It's a two-faced lipstick - it's neither red nor pink. It's perfect. 
I'm talking about Deborah Milano Red #9. It's that gorgeous!

NEW! Maybelline New York Hyperglossy Liquid Eyeliner

A new eyeliner has hit the Indian market, and we hope the pointy applicator is as good as it looks!
Claims: Maybelline New York Hyperglossy Liquid Eyeliner  is enriched with 24-hr vinyl film formula that gives the glossiest and smudge-proof black line. The hyper reflective polymer and hyper coated carbon black allows the liner to glide smoothly over your eyes leaving an even film of intense color. The patented soft flexible brush does not allow smudging or clumping. The liquid based eyeliner draws a smooth clean line without any crease and allows you to go sleek and boldly chic! This astounding product dries quickly and lasts up to 24 hours, giving your eyes an intense color and shine.

11/19/12

MAC Presents Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash Mascara

Introducing M·A·C Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash, with an intense new pigment for a shade that’s blacker than black for the deepest, darkest, richest lashes ever. The velvety formula coats from root to tip, silky soft with conditioning ingredients that prevent dryness, spikes and hardening. Just insert the wand through the small opening for high definition or through the large opening for loads of volume. Your lashes, your look, your call.

11/17/12

Creating Kareena Kapoor's Lipstick In Talaash

A reader wrote to me & asked which lipstick Kareena Kapoor is wearing in song Muskaanein Jhooti Hai from the movie Talaash. She sent me the video, and I was blown away by Kareena's lipstick & her overall look. I think I'm more intrigued by this lipstick than that red one Adele wore at the Grammy's, which her make-up artist is so hush-hush about.
For the last 2 nights & a day, I've been going crazy trying to create Kareena's lipstick color. You know we've been over this in that post Lipsticks That Don't Exist, and it's not that plum we were looking for. This one is different, and it evidently does exist! Question is: WHAT IS IT???
It could be the lighting & all that jazz during the video-making, but it's definitely a plummish-red or reddish-plum. A very pigmented one. I think it's made up of a variety of stuff, and not just one lipstick. The color should look as rich & pigmented as MAC Ruby Woo  with only a little bit of sheen.

11/16/12

MAC Holiday Collection Haul, Photos & Swatches

What I wore to go buy these: Mint dress, black leather jacket, black tights, black shoes, mint bow bag, mint nail polish.
What I bought: All mint-cum-black packaging [I got the pink kit a few days later, like a sensible woman.]
SA (Sales Assistant): "So, you like green, huh?"
Me: "I guess so. Look at me!"
SA: *LOL*

Later at the cash counter:
SA: "I'll give you a green shopping bag." (the silk bag with zig-zag print & bow detail.)
Me: "Oh, thanks! Err...actually, I wouldn't mind the pink one, since everything else I got is green."
SA: "Oh, alright!" *took out pink bag and put it in the MAC bag* [Wrong choice! My head screamed at me.]
Me: "Umm, sorry to trouble you, but now I want the green one."
SA: "Okay, no problem! *LOL*",  then she said to another SA: "She likes green!", and they both laughed. 
Such nice & friendly makeup store SA's here! 

11/15/12

New Bourjois Products

Let's take a look at the new goodies from our favorite innovative & fun brand, Bourjois!
Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipsticks: Available in 18 shades. Looks like almost every wearable color is there, even clear! The packaging looks similar to that of Faces Canada Moisture Rich Lipsticks. Ooh, 4th & 7th from top row and last one from bottom row are waving at me. Helllooo....see you soon! 

11/14/12

Ideal Everyday Handbag & The Most Comfortable High Heel Shoes

So I found my ideal black everyday handbag. Finally! You can imagine my face when I saw IT. I also wanted to show you the last pair of shoes I hauled from my hometown. I mentioned the haul here. You have seen the mustard pair here

11/12/12

Easy No Blending Glitter Eye Makeup Tutorial [HAPPY DIWALI!]

This is super quick impromptu look I did & I wanted to put it up asap, coz some of you might want to wear it tomorrow- Diwali! =)
*I will keep this short for now, and come back later to edit. 

Products Used:
  • Too Faced Shadow Insurance eyeshadow primer
  • Bourjois Effet Smoky Pencil in Smoked Brown
  • Maybelline Color Tattoo On And On Bronze
  • Collection 2000 Glam Crystals Dazzling gel Liner in Funk
  • L'Oreal Super Liner Instant Impact Felt Liner
  • Lakmé Eyeconic Kajal
  • Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Smoky Eyes Mascara. 

11/10/12

Last Minute Diwali Makeup Shopping Guide

Need a guide for your last minute Diwali makeup Shopping? Here, I've selected some products that you might like. All my favorites, all affordable, all available in India.

Face:
  • Foundation: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation - For almost flawless looking skin.
  • Concealer: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer. To brighten up your under eye areas, and somewhat conceal any blemishes.
  • Powder: The Body Shop Loose Powder. A more affordable option is Maybelline Dream Matte Powder]

11/9/12

Outfit Of The Day ~ Suspender Tights, Frills & Bows

You'll either love or hate suspender tights. Although I absolutely hate some styles, I bow to the genius who started the trend. I just adore the girly-looking ones, like this pair right here.
I almost froze during this photo shoot. It was so cold & windy that day, I couldn't feel my hands anymore by the time I was done.
*All self-timer photos, so you'll see some odd & blurry shots.

11/8/12

MAC Peach Blossom Cremesheen + Pearl Lipstick Review & Swatches

Product Of The Week is MAC Cremesheen + Pearl Lipstick in Peach Blossom. 
This lipstick was a 'chance buy'. I didn't go to buy it specially & I wasn't particularly interested in the Cremesheen + Pearl Collection. But when I saw these lipsticks under the store lights, they just looked so..... gorgeously shiny & yum, I couldn't resist!
MAC Peach Blossom ~ Described by MAC as a 'frosted cool nude'. In a nutshell, it's a light   pinky peach with teeny-tiny sparkly bits.
The finish is semi-opaque & it looks more glossy than it feels, because of the shimmer. It is perfect if you don't like to wear sticky lipglosses, but at the same time you want shimmery pouty lips. I like how it really clings to my lips- it stays the way you have applied it, so it doesn't wear off quickly either. No fragrance here, it doesn't have the vanilla scent of the MAC lustre finish lipsticks.

11/6/12

DIY Bow Shoes [The Continued Story #Confessions]

If you were waiting for this, my sincere apologies for the delay. You know I've had other commitments. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, please read my previous post here.
Hey, I see you're still here. No, please go and read that one first, and then come back here! =D
I'm going to show you a kind of creativity propelled by my inadequate feet - a very very simple way to prettify a plain pair of high heel shoes.

11/5/12

Colorbar Cocktail Brights Nail Lacquers: Bloody Mary & Plum Grenadine

Feeling the Monday blues, here's a cocktail of nail polishes for you. Cheers! 
(L) Plum Grenadine, (R) Bloody Mary

Superstitious Beauty ~ Using Your Index Finger Is Bad?

I grew up in a culture of many superstitions. We take sayings of old people so seriously that we  had to memorize them for exams in school. But this one about the index finger is not from the books we studied, it's just a superstition I grew up with.
What they say: Never apply medicine with your index finger, coz it'll make it worse/antagonize the problem. Use this (middle finger) instead. (Btw, this generation consider that finger very bad too, grannies!)
Do I believe in it? I have never used my index finger to apply anything, especially on pimples. I don't use it to apply scrub, eye cream, moisturizer, eyeshadow primer & all makeup. I use it along with other fingers, but not just the index finger alone. Even on other people I don't use it. So ya, I guess I believe in it =)
Pointing with your index finger is also considered a bad thing. "Don't point! Don't point like that!", I would be scolded when I was young.
Is there a scientific reason behind this?  I don't always believe in science, so I have no idea. You could google it, if you're curious.
Have you heard about this? Any superstitious sayings you believe in? I'd love to hear them! 

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

11/4/12

Beyond Vanity ~ Autumn Leaves & Scented Candles

While vacuuming the kitchen floor, I looked out and saw autumn leaves all over one side of our backyard (thank you, neighbour's tree!) They look so beautiful! It hasn't been raining much, so they're dry & photo-friendly. Two things that have been making my make-up room smell (like heaven) really nice came to mind - Glade Scented Candles.
Purple is Winter Berries ~ So sweet & fruity. It smells like my favorite mints of all time Wrigley's Extra Forest Berries, which I've only seen in Malaysia.
Pink is With Love ~ This smells gorgeous....like a princess. Somewhat like the Lakmé Perfect Radiance Day Cream (that just occurred to me, so proud of my nose!)
Price ~ Around Rs.200 each, which is not bad for the quality.

11/3/12

Hello Kitty Makeup At Superdrug & Lipstick Photos & Swatches

I picked up only the lipsticks last weekend. I wanted the nail polishes too, but I thought it's quite unreasonable of them to price them more than the lipsticks.
We'd sometimes think that if the packaging is this cute (TOO CUTE!), they'd totally skimp on the quality of the product inside, but no. These lipsticks are awesome! I must say, impressive quality. Pigmented, creamy & very moisturizing. They last for hours too.
Price ~ Even better at £3.99 (Rs.344) for a Kitty.

11/2/12

Karva Chauth For The Unconventional Indian Wife

Happy Karva Chauth to all the married Indian ladies! How are you holding up? It's still afternoon here (UK), so I'm not feeling famished yet....just slightly dizzy.
Let me explain what Karva Chauth is to non-Indian readers: It's is an auspicious day when Indian/Hindu wives fast for the long life & prosperity of their husbands. They don't eat & drink from sunrise until the moon rises.
I didn't know it's Karva Chauth today until yesterday evening. I've told you before that I was born Christian, and I didn't grow up with this tradition. But I married a Hindu guy, so I do it mainly to honor & respect the tradition he grew up with. My mom-in-law allows tells me to have fruits, milk, water...but I'll just have my tea, and maybe water if I feel like fainting =D
What I'm having all day: Tea & mints. When you don't eat, you get Halitosis (in simple words: bad breath) so.