Fingertip Rings & Fall Nails

Hello! Last night, after a long time, I spent more than 5 mins painting my nails. I have also decided that one my fall nail colors will be 'BLUE' - deep & dazzling blues. Sometimes with some bling bling, coz I don't have the patience for much else. This is the only blue nail polish I own right now, so I need to go hunt for a couple more, although I'm trying not to buy too many nail polishes because of my living situation.

You know fingertip rings or 'midi rings' all all the rage now. I find them cute, but I think I would end up losing them a lot, or worse, they follow the water down the sink! I guess I'll have to take them off before washing my hands.

 New Look Fingertip Rings ~ bird, hearts, heart, leaf. One size fits all (nonsense).Price: £2.99 | Rs.303

MAC All Fired Up Retro Matte Lipstick Swatches, LOTD

You know, there's a song called 'All Fired Up' by a band called 'The Saturdays' (video here). Weird coincidence, I must say. Today is Saturday, if you read this another day & wonder what I mean.

MAC All Fired Up is another shade from Retro Matte Collection. It's described as Bright Fuschia Matte. Do you think it looks fuschia?

WINNER of IVC 4th Blog Anniversary Giveaway Is......

 

Hey Everyone, I'd just like to THANK you all who participated in my 4th Blog Anniversary Giveaway. Thanks for all the wonderful comments on how you stumbled upon my blog, I enjoyed reading each and every one of them. As always, it's not a good feeling to have to pick ONLY 1 WINNER from so many deserving readers, but *sighs*

New Bourjois Products @ Introductory Prices

I have to tell you that the Superdrug store I go to all the time has had a makeover, and was looking so swanky with laminate flooring, parallel aisles that look super duper organized. Oh, and new baskets! Small, black with silver handles. It felt like Sephora (Kuala Lumpur). On top of all that, it had my most-awaited new Bourjois products - the Happy Light Primers!

My Beauty Blogging Camera + Tips

I'm  doing this post purely as a blogger, just to show you how I click photos for this blog. It's been requested by some other beauty bloggers, but all you non-bloggers might find these tips handy too, you know, when clicking pics of your kid's birthday cake, or your new mani to show-off on Facebook. If you don't have a camera, and never click photos, you can just look at the MAC lippies. I put them in there just for you =)

Since I couldn't use my camera, I used my mobile - Samsung S3. Previously Mr.CZ's, coz I was using Nokia Lumia 820, which I no likey. We swapped, sadly not before he dropped it on a marble floor and cracked the screen. I wanted it anyways, coz that Windows phone was driving me crazy.

My Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-HX7V. When I'd gone shopping for a new camera (after my Panasonic Lumix got stolen along with my handbag), I picked this over 2 DSLR's - Canon EOS-something & Nikon-something. Reason: It's smaller & lighter than the 2. It's simply more convenient & fits in my small handbag too.

Main Features: 10x Optical Zoom, 16.2 megapixel sensor, 3D images, Full HD Movie. I really don't know the rest.

Pond's White Beauty BB Cream ~ Why It Is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

What do you immediately, almost instinctively, do when you really really like a face cream? Me, I do a few things:

One: I think "Really? Is it as good as I think?"

Two:  I search for the box it came in, so I can read the fine print.

Three: I'll over-use it, daring it to slap my face with a blemish.

If I were still single, I'd probably do the same if I really really like a guy =D {Fine Print = Facebook profile & Google.}

For the past 3 weeks, the product under my 3-step scrutiny is Pond's White Beauty BB+Fairness Cream.

Pond's White Beauty BB+Fairness Cream is formulated with GenWhite Formula enriched with:

Vitamin B3 - Pond’s signature ingredient, helps to reduce and control melanin accumulation on the skin.

Vitamin E – A potent fat soluble anti-oxidant to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals which can trigger melanin production which leads to darker skin.

Allantoin – Recognized as an anti-inflammatory by US FDA found in the comfrey plant and helps to reduce processes that can lead to increased pigmentation .

Advanced Superior Sunscreen Protection SPF 30 PA++ - Helps to protect against skin tanning and photo ageing.

Bourjois Java Rice Powder ~ Iconic Product In 1879!

BOURJOIS REINVENTS ITS ICONIC JAVA RICE POWDER FROM 1879!

Bourjois celebrated its 150th Anniversary this year. Wow! They reinvented a vintage edition of its first historical best-seller - 2 million sold each year in the early 20th century!

Java Rice Powder:

~ A delicately scented feather-light powder that lights up and smoothes complexion in one step. ~ Its radiant and velvety finish immediately creates a youthful glow.
~ One translucent shade is universal and lights up all skin tones.

 

I adore the packaging. At first, I thought the white was a sticker, but it's not. It's printed on.

MAC Flat Out Fabulous Retro Matte Lipstick Swatches, LOTD

 5 things that are fabulous right now:

~ Lace up shoes ~

~ Floral mini bralet with buttons & bows ~

~ The color 'Dazzling Blue' ~

~ PU leather ~

~ MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick ~

Mini Vacation Pics & Haul

So last Thursday we'd gone for a mini vacation to Edinburgh, mainly for Mr.CZ's birthday. We stayed there for 3 days, and came back on Sunday. Too short, but we made the most of it, and had fun. 

These are most of the things I hauled:

Benefit Rockateur Blush ~ Rose gold blush. Can't wait to try it on my face. £23.50 | Rs.2362.

Shu Uemura 24K Gold Eyelash Curler (Limited Edition) ~ I wanted to try a new curler. I'd left the original silver one in India, and decided to get this gold one because it looks so beautiful. £20 | Rs.2010.

Soap & Glory Hand Food Mini Hand Cream ~ Wanted to see what the big deal is. I like it so far. £2.50 | Rs.250. 

Balmi Raspberry Lip Balm ~  These used to be round like the eos Lip Balms (pics here), but they changed it to square (I smell a lawsuit =D). £4.99 | Rs.500.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Lotion ~ Repurchase. It's a toner, and I missed not having it. Post on it here. £8.25 | Rs.828. 

MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks ~ Already posted photos here.

Warehouse Coral Pink Clutch Bag ~ On Sale! Got it for £10 | Rs.1004. Original Price: £24 | Rs.2410.

New Look Leather Biker Jacket ~ I'm wearing it in pics below. £39.99 | Rs.4017.

Lakmé 9 to 5 Lip Color Blush Work ~ Not Just A Coral Lipstick

Lakmé brought 3 of my favorite things together with this lipstick:

1. Coral ~ The color.

2. Rose Gold. The Packaging.

3. ...................... 

Lakme Nine to Five brings you a range of shades that sit on your lips all day long. Enriched with Vitamin E; it conditions your lips & softens them with wheat germ oil. So, perk those soft, smooth lips with a touch of matte.

How To Apply: 

Step 1: Stretch the lips and start at the center, putting on the lipstick to the corners.
Step 2: Blot the lipstick with a tissue. Make sure the lipstick has not smudged over the line of your lips.

MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks ~ My Picks

There's no MAC store in Dundee, so coming to Edinburgh for a 3-day vacation the same time this collection was launched was perfect timing. We reached here on Friday Thursday, and that same day I walked-cum-ran to the MAC store at Harvey Nichols in the rain. I lost my bouncy curly hair on the way there, but those aren't Limited Edition like these lipsticks, so it's alright.

About Retro Matte Collection: Inspired by Ruby Woo's overwhelming popularity and one-of-a-kind texture, M•A•C introduces new bold shades in its Retro Matte finish.

Creating 2 Most Wanted Lip Colors

I played around with lipsticks, and created 2 of my most-wanted lip colors.

Maybelline Superstay Infinitely Fuchsia + Revlon Super Lustrous Va Va Violet =

Purple that's not easy to find. It's more intense than MAC Violetta Lipstick

To Buy OR Not To Buy? Butterfly Pink Makeup Brushes

You know I'm a sucker for cute & whimsical packaging. So when I saw these, it was instant attraction. Pink brushes with white stripes  on the handle & a butterfly printed pouch with  a birdcage zipper. Ooh, and that outer BOX! I'm not sure about the quality/softness of those brushes, but how bad can they be? I could do with another powder brush, and that tiny lip brush. 

This brand is called Flutter (cute!). They have a range of beauty accessories & tools at Superdrug

Price of this brush set: £9 | Rs.900. 

Now for the important question:

Buy or Don't buy?  

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Fuchsia In Rage 19 ~ Swatches, LOTD

There are 19 shades of YSL Rouge Volupté Shine Lipsticks. If you buy all 19 at once, they'll cost you about the same price as, or less than, one Chinese Crested Dog -  a hairless dog that's won 'World's Ugliest Dog'. It's got bits of hair on the head and paws, but the rest is all skin- like human skin, they say. It's one of the most expensive pets in the world. I wouldn't call it "ugly", because I don't like that word + I have a soft corner for all dogs, but it is no doubt funny-looking. At first, I thought it's some type of goat (pic here)

 There, a little bit of Math & National Geographic. Indian Vanity Case.....Not All Make-up.

YSL Rouge Volupté Shine ~  Give in to the temptation of dazzling color. Succumb to a unique sensorial experience with extreme comfort and luminous shine.  Hyaluronic acid microspheres help seal in moisture for 8 hours of hydration. Anti-oxidants and emollients help condition and soften lips.

 Available in 19 shades. I'm showing the last one- #19 Fuchsia In Rage.

Rimmel Stay Blushed! Liquid Cheek Tint Swatches

Following my haul post, here are quick swatches of the new Rimmel Stay Blushed! Liquid Cheek Tints. I think they are super cute, and I was smitten the moment I swatched one of them. The packaging is fun, hygienic, and somewhat Benefit-like. 

Available in 2 shades ~ Pop Of Pink #001 & Sunkissed Cherry #004.

Price: £4.49 | Rs.458, each.

Today's Makeup Haul: Rimmel, Revlon, Bourjois

This whole week went kind of fast, and I was having a serious case of....of....let's just say I wasn't feeling very active and wasn't enthu about anything. Women.

Today, I decided only the newly-launched Bourjois Java Rice Powder, a deep purple lipstick, and a few minutes alone in Shoe Heaven will bring hyper-goofy me back. YEAH!!! Tutalasmorrre.....

Haul: New Hair Care Products

Just wanted to quickly talk about some new hair care products that are going to be part of my hair routine this month: 

• L'Oreal Elvive Damage Care Shampoo & Conditioner for Damaged or Brittle Hair ~ They claim to 'fill in cracks' and and seal hair cuticles with Cement-Ceramide, an intense formula that contains a replica of the natural hair's ceramide Price: £4 | Rs.412 for 2. 

• VO5 Smoothly Does It Straightening Lotion ~ I got this because my straightened hair has grown out, and it's gotten wavy near the roots. Apply 8-10 pumps on towel-dried hair, blow dry & then use a straightener. Claims to last up to 3 washes! Let's see. Price: £5.99 | Rs.620. But £5 for 2 VO5 products from Sainsbury's, which is awesome! I almost got it for full price from Superdrug once, phew!

• VO5 Treat Me Right Rinse Out Deep Conditioning Treatment ~ A deep conditioner with 5 natural oils - Avocado oil, Argan oil, Apricot oil, Grape seed oil, Jojoba oil. Very excited to try this, because I know my hair desperately needs some deep TLC.  Original Price: £4.28 | Rs.442.

August Favorites & 31st Night

August was not only our Blogversary month, but it's also our wedding anniversary month ~ 30th & 31st, because we had 2 ceremonies. We decided to go out and celebrate it on the the 31st, Saturday. Before I tell you a story about that night, let's take a look at my beauty favorites first:

{Yes, that's a card I got ;)}

I'll start with all the makeup (clockwise):

• MAC Constructivist Paintpot ~ I have not used this much ever since I started using the Maybelline Color Tattoos, and sometime last month I used it once, and now I want to use it everyday. Can't go wrong with a brown paintpot. Swatched here

• Bourjois So Laque Rose Imaginaire #62 ~ I just realized this was also in my June Favorites! Maybe I'm using it way too much. Swatches here

• YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Pink In Paris #13 ~ I think I'm wearing this almost everyday. Swatches coming soon.

• Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick Midnight Rose #377N ~ Swatches here

• Maybelline Baby Lips Hydrate ~ I've been using this every night before sleeping, and my lips love it.

• YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick Rage In Fuchsia #19 ~ Will swatch this as well.

• Revlon Super Lustrous Pink In The Afternoon ~ Swatches here

• Bourjois Shine Edition Lipsticks ~ I'm loving all the 3 shades I got, and I want 2 more. Photos & swatches here

How To: Blush, Bronzer, Highlighter

Hi, hi! Sorry for not posting for days. This was supposed to be up yesterday, but editing took longer. There was a false eyelash mishap that ruined most of the pics, sigh. Long story short: lash glue and mascara stuck together and clumped the lashes, I ignored, camera didn't.

This is one of the most requested tutorials! So many ladies want the JLo glow. For me personally, it's not a must-do, because I came from Delhi, where my face was always prone to sweating because of the heat. Now that I'm in cold Scotland, I do it quite often, and I see the why it's so sought-after. It does make your skin look more.....posh. Oh yes, Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) is also famous for her glowy cheeks.

Products I Used:

Bronzer ~ Benefit Hoola. Matte bronzer is always better.

Blush ~ MAC Bite Of An Apple. This was a Limited Edition blush.

Highlighter ~ MAC Soft And Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish. It's better to pick a highlighter that is more pearlescent than glittery. If you're using a liquid highlighter, just apply 3-5 tiny dots, and blend with finger.

Rest of the makeup: 

Face: I applied MUFE HD Foundation over Lakmé CC Cream, and they didn't agree very well, hence the spots.

Eyes: I used pinks & purples from the Sleek i-Divine Candy Palette. Swatches here

Lipstick here is MAC Betty Bright from Archie's Girls Collection. Shown here