OUTSTANDING Beauty Products Of 2014

Hi, Everyone! =) Please don't hate me for being away for 3 weeks! I was in my hometown for 2 weeks.... then I got the flu when I got back. I couldn't wait to come back here & wish you all A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope 2015 will bring you all the things you wish & pray for! BIG Hugs<3

Let's rewind to year 2014 a little & take a look at the beauty products that really stood out. There were so many great products that came to mind, but I carefully selected only products that I really really LOVED using - most of them everyday. I excluded "fancy" products, and put in more "practical" products for every budget.....

1. MAC Fluidline Brow Gelcreme, Rs.1150 ~ Best.Brow.Product.Ever! It defines & sets brows, it's waterproof and makes brows look really well-groomed. My shade is Dirty Blonde. Available in 2 more shades - Redhead & Deep Dark Brunette. Price: Rs.1100.

2. Inglot Nail Enamel #356 ~ Most-used nail paint of 2014. I just love this color on both my toes and fingers. I felt safe using it during my pregnancy months too, coz it does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or camphor. Swatched here. Price: Rs.600.

3. Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara (Waterproof) ~ The most memorable  mascara of 2014. When you layer it 3-4 times, your lashes could be mistaken for falsies! Price: Rs.350.

4. Colorbar Just Smoky Kajal in Just Black ~ So black, so soft, so overused by moi. More pics & swatched here. Price: Rs.650.

5. Street Wear Color Rich Compact Powder ~ This has made its way into my handbag. I love how non-powdery & lightweight it is for a pressed powder. My shade is Neutral - Swatched here. Price: Rs.170.

6. Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Mauve It Over ~ When I bought this, I didn't think much of it. Little did I know it was going to be my favorite matte nude lipstick. I wore it here. Price: Rs.764 from UK.

7. Clinique Cheek Pop Blush in Peach Pop ~ It's perfection! I use a small stippling brush so that I don't mess up the design too soon. Will post swatches of it sometime. Price: Rs.2100 (You might get it cheaper online!)

8. Nivea Fruity Shine Watermelon ~ Smells and looks yummy. The shade is a really pretty raspberry pink. I couldn't show you coz I'd used it all up! Price: Rs.140.

9. L'Oreal True Match Foundation ~ Fail-proof base for me. My shade is Golden Beige. See how it transforms my skin here. Price: Rs.995.

10. MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist ~ After over 2 years, it's still one of my most favorite cream eyeshadows. I know it's been featured too many times on here, but I used it almost daily last year. It's my too-lazy-to-do-eye-makeup go-to product. Swatched here. Price: Rs.1100 (Probably more now that MAC has hiked up their prices.)

11. Vaseline Total Moisture Lotion ~ After Baby CZ arrived, both Mr.CZ's and my hands became so dry/rough/cracked like sandpaper because of a hand sanitizer we kept using like overly-cautious first-time parents that we were. So much so that they actually hurt...no, stung! We tried this out and.... we were healed!!! Price: Rs.60/100ml.

12. Olay Total Effects Day Cream Normal ~ I took a break from this for a few months, and that's all it took for me to realize how much this cream suits my skin (Combination). It really does even out the skin's texture & minimizes pores, like it claims. Price: Rs.349/20g (travel-size)

13. Bio Oil ~ Believe the hype, people! ZERO stretch marks after pregnancy! A detailed post is coming soon. Price: 450/60ml

14. L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray ~ Curling hair without this is a waste of time! I say this because I had to live without it for a while - after returning to India, coz it's not easily available here. You can find it in some Beauty Salons (some that have it actually refuse to sell it! =\ ). I got it from Bella Madonna Salon. Price: Rs.575/500ml.

15. Sunsilk Natural Recharge Strong & Abundant Conditioner ~ With Ginseng Root & Oil, and it's Paraben-free. I've used both the shampoo & conditioner from this range, but weirdly, I find that this conditioner works better with other shampoos. Price: Rs.144/180ml.

♥

Hope you enjoyed my first blog post of 2015.

Would love it if you too shared at least 1 OUTSTANDING product that you discovered in 2014.

Good Day, Everyone. 

Talk again shortly.

P.S. Baby CZ is doing well. He's growing up so fast...the buttons on his onesies keep popping! =D

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram | YouTube | CZloves: Shoes & Life Of A Beauty Blogger

BEST Drugstore Foundation

This one has beat all of my previous drugstore foundations - Revlon Colorstay Foundation,  Bourjois 1,2,3 Perfect Foundation, Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation, etc. 

When I was doing my makeup course, I had many L'Oreal True Match Foundations. Some I'd bought myself, some I got in my kit (A starter kit that's included in the fee.) I think I had, like, 5 bottles. Obviously I got bored of it after using it so much - on myself, on models-of-the-day.....

Back then, I had really prominent melasma/hyperpigmentation on my cheeks & nose. I remember that when this foundation was applied & layered, they almost looked invisible.

I decided to repurchase it recently, many many years later, since my skin was d(r)ying for a new base. I was starting to hate foundations and most bases, because they emphasized the dry patches on my unpredictable pregnancy skin. But now.......

Inglot 'Daydream' Collection ~ Photos, Swatches, Look

La-La,

La-La,
Here I go again,
Chasing Lady Butterfly,
In yesterday's someday, 
Again, falling....
falling....
Into a Daydream....

May Favorites ~ Beauty, Etc

It feels like just yesterday I was making my 'Birthday Wishlist', now the month is coming to an end, and that wishlist half-fulfilled. Still grateful & I'm looking forward to the rest of the year....and making new & modified wishlists! ;)

Here are my beauty & other favorites from this May ......

My 10 Summer Must-Haves

We've started turning on the air conditioners, which means summer is officially here. I used to complain about Delhi summers, until I lived in the UK. There, I would look at the gloomy weather, frequently accompanied by rain, and I'd think to myself 'I'll take the scorching heat, but with bright & cheery skies, in Delhi over this any day.'  I find gloomy weather very depressing! Once, in Newcastle, Mr.CZ called me up, and he told me that our one & only umbrella was attacked by the wind and it had turned inside-out. It wouldn't go back to it's normal shape, no matter how much he tried to fix it, so he threw it on the side of the road and walked back in the rain! =D

Like most of you ladies reading this, I have an endless list of summer must-haves, so I  picked just a few colorful pieces today:

For A MAC Virgin

"I'm going to MAC for the very first time! What should I buy?"

This is the most common email I get regarding MAC. I never know what to say, because when you don't really know the person asking, it's hard to recommend just a few or one product. Lipstick or Blush? Which color? What if she doesn't wear lipstick? Oh, eyeshadow! But neutrals or bright shades? Brus----pots! Argh, forget it! I won't reply to this email! I don't know anything!

{If you emailed me about this, now you know.}

So today I'll just show you my the MAC products I'd buy all over again - if I had to.

MAC Blushes:

 Peaches (Sheertone) ~ If you love peach blushes, this is one to own.

 Fleur Power (Satin) ~ It's so strange that this is my most-worn pink blush yet I haven't hit pan until now!

Concealer: 

MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF 35 ~ It's a thick heavy-coverage cream concealer that covers blemishes quite well. I rarely use it anymore, because now I need another shade. This is shade NC35, which still suits my undereye areas.

Powders: 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (Light Medium) ~ I've hit pan, which means I've been using it more than I realized. It's a compact powder with medium coverage, so you can use it alone.

Highlighter: 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Soft & Gentle ~ The best highlighting powder I've come across. Most are too shimmery, but this has a very fine texture.

Brushes:

MAC 266 Small Angle Brush ~ Love it. Can't live without it. I use it for eyeliner & brows.

MAC 217 Blending Brush ~ The most copied blending brush

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ~ I use this to apply lid colors. It delivers both powder & cream e/s well.

I'm also getting the MAC 219 Pencil Brush next. I like that it's stiffer than other pencil brushes I have.

Paintpots: Long-lasting cream eyeshadows you can wear alone or under other eyeshadows

Layin' Low ~ A creamy beige that works great as a primer. Swatched here

Genuine Treasure ~ A gorgeous glittery gold. Limited Edition, but I love it so much I had to incluse it. In case it comes back, do check it out! Swatched here

Constructivist ~ A metallic brown. You wear this, and you don't need any other e/s. It has made it to my most-worn MAC products list. Swatched here

Current Beauty Favorites

Hi! If you're not following me on Instagram or my personal Facebook Page, it may seem I've been gone from the blog for a long time, and you don't know the happy news yet. Which is, we have found an apartment & we are moving in probably next week. I'm super excited, because I can't wait for life to start....and have all my things set up properly. That white fluffy things is a new rug for my dressing room.

Now let's talk favorites! Starting from the tall ones back there:

Palmolive Thermal Spa Mineral Massage Body Wash, Rs.135 ~ With thermal salts & white clay. This has got to be of my most favorite body washes. I've gone through 2 bottles since I got back to India. I just love that it smells like a holiday by the beach.

Vaseline Healthy White Complete 10 Lightening & Anti-Aging Body Lotion, Rs.175 ~ I went through many bottle of the original Healthy White Body Lotion, mainly coz I liked the smell so much. This one is a slightly more moisturizing version with anti-aging benefits, but smells the same.

Pond's Dreamflower Talcum Powder, Rs.49 ~ I previously used the purple one, which lasted forever! I decided to try this pink one, and it smells lovely, although I like the fragrance of the purple one a little bit more.

MAC Brush Cleanser, Rs.650 ~ A brush cleanser is a must-have. I was using one by Stage Cosmetics (Malaysian brand), which lasted for a long long time! There was still some left in the bottle when I discarded it in Scotland. I had to turn to MAC when I got back, because again, there's not many available here in India. It works well & cleans even the dirtiest brush in a jiffy.

The Best Cleanser I've Ever Used ~ Baby Smooth Skin!

Remember in my interview with Cosmo I said I would never dedicate an entire blog post to a face wash? Well, this one is an exception, because this face wash, or scrub, is outstanding! I rarely finish a tube of cleanser. I get bored of them easily, and I always keep around 3-5 in my bathroom. But now I think I'm ready to commit to one ~ Clean & Clear Morning Energy Skin Brightening Daily Facial Scrub. Look how much is left in the tube. I don't know what I'd do without it! Sometimes I'd use it just so I can smell it and feel it's goodness on my face, and that translates into a disciplined night time cleansing routine, no matter how tired I am.

About: MORNING Energy Skin Brightening Scrub is formulated with BURSTING BEADS and a unique blend of caffeine, lemon and papaya. It invigorates your senses and helps brighten your skin’s appearance. Skin appears instantly refreshed and leaves you ready to face your day. Oil-free.

 

Best & Worst Beauty Products 2013

We bid goodbye to 2013 tomorrow. Tomorrow! I wish I could extend it another month. Just 30 days. But nobody's listening to me. So I sit for hours making collages of things I'll take along with me to 2014, and things I've already let go of.

It was hard to pick out only some products, so I did my best to exclude a lot of the products from previous monthly favorites & disappointing beauty products posts. Let's say this list is very sorted out.

BEST Beauty Products 2013

1. Maybelline Color Show India ~ Exclusively the Indian versions, because of both the price and quality factors. They are different from UK versions. All the Indian ones are better than one UK shade I'm wearing right now. Swatches here & here.

2.  MAC Cream Soda Blush from Archie's Girls Collection ~ Blush of the year! I love it SO MUCH. Swatches here

3. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ~ Probably the best drugstore undereye concealer. I regret not trying it sooner. Now I want to try the powder too!


4. Pond's White Beauty BB Cream ~ A pocket-friendly BB Cream that can put a lot of hi-fi ones to shame. It also works as an eyeshadow primer. Review here


5. Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick #11 Fraise Remix ~ Drugstore lippie, high-end color. Pics here

6. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush ~ I practically lived on this brush this year because it blends everything in a jiffy, it's easy to clean and dries quickly.

7. Babyliss Volume Waves Tong ~ It's like my magic wand. The only tool that can give my hair shape now that it's very long and badly needs a cut. Used here


8. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Sweetheart ~ Most-used lip crayon. Swatches here.

9. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick ~ Madly in love with these! Hopefully, one day next year, I'll have all the shades. Swatches of #19 Fuchsia In Rage here

10. Sleek Oh So Special Eyeshadow Palette ~ This is one drugstore palette to own! It's like a summary of all the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. Swatches here

11. Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Brush Mascara ~ My most favorite mascara this year. I strayed from it, and realized it's unbeatable. Length, Volume, No clumps. I gotta repurchase. Shown here.

12. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent/Clarifying Lotion & Effaclar Duo ~ Life-changing twosome . Holy Grail. Pimply skin saviors. Blemish-free skin.


*More Best Beauty Products here

♥

Whimsical Present For A Beauty Blogger/Addict

Pretty Real Flowers ~  They die. I sad.
Pretty Wrapping Paper ~ They tear. I sad.

Both sad situations. Both I try to avoid. Right now, I have a bunch of red roses (shown in my Maybelline Color Show post here) that have dried up, and this feeling I get because I have to throw them out is....is.... not nice. Give me fake flowers and gift bags/boxes (no tape, please.) any day. Speaking of gift bags and boxes, maybe we take our heads out of them, and plonk them into pretty whimsical carry cases.....

I saw this carry case in Woodland Adventure Carry Case at Paperchase (a fun stationery store in UK) many weeks ago, and instantly fell in love with it! But I was skeptical about buying it, because of travelling issues and all. A couple weeks later, I thought: Whatever, I must have it. I went there and saw it's not in the same place it was the last time. I looked and looked around the store, and I found it hiding at the back of one table. Only one of its kind (there were about 5 last time), and I didn't feel good about it. Don't we all like to pick the best piece and usually assume the last one is probably defective? I asked the store assistant if they had another one.

She: "You want to buy 2 of them?"

Me: "No. Actually, there's a scratch on this one. Look.", I pointed to an almost undetectable silver hairline scratch on the box. Yes, it was quite a moo point, and I would've bought it if I had no other choice.

She: "Okay, I'll go check in the back for you, but we may be out of them."

She came back in 5 mins with the only one left in stock. It was wrapped nicely in transparent plastic bag which was twisted into a ruffle at the end (like a sack) and tied with a golden plastic ribbon. Brand new, unopened, untouched. I had to stop myself from jumping and clapping, and delightfully squealing "Ooh, me likey!"

IVC Picks Video Of The Year ~ Because Who Is Perfect? Get Closer.....

Just wanted to share what I personally think is The Best Video I've watched this year.

If it touched your heart, please share it to support the wonderful people who created it - Pro Infirmis, a Swiss Charity.

Have a blessed Sunday all.

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram | YouTube

The Countdown: My Last 1.5 Months In UK | Backup Favorites Shopping List

Ahoy! Can you believe we've reached this point? This blog post? Tickets back to India are already booked for early January. There's that bittersweet feeling again. I'm very happy to go back home, but I'll surely miss this place. Oh, boy! Now comes the saddest part about leaving dear UK. The shopping. No more Boots, Superdrug, New Look, H&M, PRIMARK!....no more easy access to all the new launches. So I'm stocking up on my favorite things, and I made a list. I don't know if I'll be able to take ALL of them, but here's hoping.....

Let's start from the back left corner:

• False Eyelashes ~ It's damn hard to get quality falsies in India, so I'm getting LOTS. Mostly from Eylure, I think.

• Blonde Hair Colors ~ Day before yesterday, I re-colored my hair with this Clairol Nice & Easy in 106 Natural Medium Ash Blonde, and I really like it. I'm getting a backup and maybe another one from L'Oreal too. *Light shades are hard to find in at-home hair colors in India.

• Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ~ I've gone through a couple of these. They are always 2 for 1 pound in Superdrug, and I always end up picking them up on my way to the till. I rarely use them on my face, coz I prefer to wash it properly, but they come in really handy when I'm swatching makeup on my arms. But they are nice for the face too, the few times I've used it- removes waterproof mascara and everything, and moisturizes face at the same time. But they are heavy, so I may be able to take only one.

• Sleek Makeup Eyeshadow Palettes ~ I love Sleek eyeshadows, so I want to pick at least 2 more palettes. Don't know which ones, though. Decisions, decisions!

• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo ~ I have finished another tube, and I NEED more! I know it's available in India, but there's a good offer at Escentual right now, so I think I should pick a couple before I leave.

• Rimmel Foundations/Concealer ~ I think I will get a Stay Matte Foundation for the hot Delhi summer; another shade of Wake Me Up Foundation; a backup of Wake Me Up Concealer (LOVE!)

• Bourjois Color Boost Peach On The Beach ~ This is probably available in India, but I might get one with 3 for 2 offer at Boots. I really adore this shade. Swatched here

• L'Oreal Paris Glam Shine Stain Splash ~ I hope these launch in India. I will get 2 more shades I really like, in case they don't!  Swatched here.

• Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer ~ Most long-lasting concealer! When it sets, it sets. But I just hate that the concealer oozes out and makes it messy every time I finish using it! My shade is Medium 03. I'm getting 5 backups!

• Rimmel Kate Moss Lipsticks ~ 1-2 shades more. I've swatched 06 & 107 here

• Maybelline The Falsies Black Drama Mascara ~ This is a thicker version of The Falsies, which works better on my lashes than the original version (review here)

• Topshop Cream Blush & maybe some other products ~  That is Head Over Heels....umm...and I carved a bow on it. No, I won't show you =D

• Bio Oil ~ NEED this! My skin is stretching a lot these days, and sometimes itch like crazy! At first I thought my skin was heating up too much because of the radiators, but then I realized it's because I'm expanding...haha! I'm liking the fullness (meat), but we gots to keep the stretch marks away.

Maybelline Cheeky Glow Blushes ~ Affordable Products Of The Month!

Hiya! I feel like I haven't talked to you all for a really long time, although it's only been a couple days. I also couldn't wait to fill my homepage with other posts after my previous scary post...hehe...I didn't want people who land on my blog to freak out & never come back!

So today I wanted to show you these cute Maybelline Cheeky Glow Blushes. I'm just so impressed with their quality! They are pigmented, feel silky smooth and blend like any other good blush. The compact packaging is light and fits in your palm, so ideal for your handbag and traveling.

Blushes I LOVE ~ To The Moon And Back!

"Mamma never loved her much, and Daddy never keeps in touch. 

That's why she shies away from human affection." 

~ To The Moon And Back, Savage Garden.

Presenting the only blushes I really use & am very attached to....

[Clockwise starting from the leopard print box]: 

Benefit Coralista ~ If you've been reading my blog forever, you must know how much I love this blush. This is the one blush I want to repurchase even though the first one is not even close to finishing. If it wasn't so darn pricey, I'd go buy a new box just to look at & smell (because it is scented, and mine has lost it). You should have seen the husband's face when I said this =D . Price ~ £23.50 in UK = Rs.2218.

MAC Bite Of An Apple (Matte) ~ Bite.Of.An.Apple. Say it slowly, and you'll feel a little wicked, like Snow White's Evil Queen herself. But there's nothing evil about the blush shade, it's one of the most amazing coral blushes I've ever seen. This is a Limited Edition that came out with MAC Venomous Villains Collection. Price: Rs.1210.

MAC Fleur Power (Satin) ~ This is my oldest most-used blush. It's my go-to blush when I'm confused what to use. It sits in that perfect place between pink & coral, and that's what makes it so reachable. Price: Rs.1150.

Lakmé Cheek Chromatic Baked Blush in Day Blushes ~ Swatches below will prove how it holds its own beside Benefit & MAC. More photos & I wore it here. Price: Rs.550.

MAC Cream Soda Betty Blush (Satin) ~ It may look too pale, but it shows up beautifully when applied. Medium peach when layered. Also a Limited Edition that came out with MAC Archie's Girls Collection. Price: Rs.1544.

TOP 12 Summer Lipsticks

When it comes to numbers, I prefer even numbers. When I was a kid, seeing the number 24 always made me feel good. For no apparent reason, my head would get weirdly excited when I saw it's 24th on the kitchen calendar. I don't know why. This is just a thing, and I'm not saying odd numbers freak me out, or anything.

Then I grew up, and married a guy who is more obsessed with even numbers. Now even the volume on our TV has to be an even number- 16, 20, 24... 40. If it's 15, he will pick up the remote and bring it up or down to the closest even number. Maybe I should ask him what he thought of '24' when he was a kid, no? o.O

So! Here are my (TOP 5) TOP 12 Summer Lipsticks:

From left to right:

1. Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Mauve Bliss 034 ~ A glossy light mave-pink that goes perfectly with smoky purple eye makeup. I have not swatched this yet, but you can see another shade - Passionate - that I know is a best-seller because of 'out of stock', here
2. Maybelline SuperStay Lipstick Stay With Me Coral ~ I have serious issues with the  bumps on this lipstick, but I love the color too much to not use it.
3. Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate Moss #16 ~ Swatches here
4. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Rendezvous ~ The only orange lippy I use these days. Swatches here
5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Sweetheart ~ You know I love this! Swatches here
6. Maybelline SuperStay Lipstick Infinitely Fuchsia ~ This is without a doubt my favorite fuchsia pink lipstick. I just can't get enough of it! Swatches here
7. Hello Kitty Lipstick By Superdrug Betz Believe ~ This is officially my favorite rosy pink lipstick. Trying to find a shade exactly like it from other brands. If you know any, please tell me. Swatched here
8. Maybelline Color Sensational The Jewels Collection Berry Brilliant ~  I love to use this lightly as a lip stain. Swatches here
9. Deborah Milano Rosetto MilanoRed #2 ~ A lovely peachy nude shade that's become a favorite. I wore it here 
10. MAC Lustre Lipstick Patisserie ~ Obviously. Swatches here
11. MAC Veronica Lipstick Daddy's Little Girl ~ Satin finish. The unique one I reach for when I don't want to wear any other color. I wore it here
12. MAC Veronica Lipstick Ronnie Red ~ Matte finish. I like that this has a berry pink undertone, which makes it cooler-toned. Swatched here 

Hope you enjoyed this lipstick post. Would love to know the lippies that top your list this summer, too! Oh, and it doesn't have to be an even number ;)

P.S. Voting for Cosmopolitan Blog Awards '13 ends day after tomorrow! If you like reading my blog, please show your support by voting for 'Indian Vanity Case' under Beauty Blogs ~ HERE

Thanks a bunch to everyone who has already voted! ♥ 

RAVE! La Roche-Posay Effaclar

I want to RAVE about my La Roche-Posay Effaclar products before I repurchase them. Look how much of that astringent I've used up! The Duo will also be empty in a few days.

Before I started using these 2 products, I was getting pimples frequently, and I thought, 'adult acne'. It was frustrating, and you may have seen me trying my best to conceal one here. 

[Please Note: Skin care products work differently on everybody, and although these work for me, they may not work for you.]

My Skin Type: Combination, acne-prone, dry patches in some areas.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Lotion Astringent Micro-Exfoliant ~ This is a clarifying lotion. It helps to unblock and reduce the appearance of pore size, due to the combination of cleansing agents and micro-exfoliant LHA (Google LHA to learn about it, okay?) To use: dampen cotton with it, and apply gently to face, avoiding eye contour. I am telling you, this is the stuff to use if you wear foundation regularly and you want your skin to feel super clean. Face wash doesn't really clean your skin properly. It has alcohol, but it does not dry out my skin.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo ~ Described as Corrective & Unclogging Anti-Imperfection Care that reduces the appearance of imperfections and unclogs sebum-blocked pores. This is a light moisturizer, that is not at all greasy. Sometimes, for 2-3 mins after I've applied it, my face starts itching like crazy, but then it stops. Weirdly, this itching happens in UK more, and I don't remember it happening in India. Maybe it's the cold? I don't know.

*Both are Paraben-Free. Please visit the La Roche-Posay website if you need to see the ingredients list.

 

How I Use Them: [Night: Both.]  | [Morning: Just the Effaclar Duo, after I've splashed my face with only water.] 

Why They Are Awesome:

• For the first time, I got compliments (in my mother tongue) like "Your skin looks watery (meaning:dewy)" when I wasn't wearing any makeup at all!  

• Almost all the pimple scars from last year are gone.

• Now I feel okay not putting on foundation when I go out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my skin is perfect, I still have other issues to conceal, but it looks healthier. 

• My face is baby bottom smooth now. I used to feel little invisible bumps on the sides of my face, but now they gone! And yes, they do reduce the appearance of pores.

• I started using these in February. I have had maybe 3 small/minor breakouts since then (touchwood!)

• I've ditched night creams, scrubs (I used one recently and my skin couldn't handle it, so I got 2 tiny short-lived pimples). These are the only products I've been using on my skin, apart from cleansing oil, face wash & eye cream.

• I know it's mainly because of my attire and makeup, but I want to show off that a Scottish guy thought I was 18-19 years old =D (as if!) Oh, it happened at a bar, and he he was quite drunk, haha!

Will They Suit Dry Skin? I think they would, because my dry/flaky patches are almost gone, and my skin actually feels more hydrated from within, rather then oily/combination. I'd suggest you try the astringent, because it exfoliates the rubbish that prevents the skin from glowing.

Prices:

•  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Lotion Astringent Micro-Exfoliant ~ £9.35 | Rs.776
•  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo ~ £11.05 | Rs.918

They are available in India. Check online stores for better deals.

My Rating ~ ♥♥♥♥♥♥ 6/5 

Any skin care products you're loving this much?

P.S. See? None Review wasn't so bad, was it? Although this is an exception, coz it's skin-related ;) 

Fabulous Find ~ Accessorize Shape & Brow Kit

"Walk straight to the end of the makeup aisle. Accessorize is in the corner, next to Max Factor, opposite Revlon.", I said over the phone to Mr.CZ. "Okay, do you see a fuchsia pink thing with gold design? It's right on top of the shelf."

One Day Earlier: 

Like a Rani (queen), this royal-looking thing was displayed high up on the Accessorize shelf.  So gorgeous it looked under the store lights! I'd never seen it before, so I assumed it's a new launch. I reached for it, and took a look inside. 3 chocolates of brow powders, tweezers, brush & mirror....wow, it has it all! I did not see the clear brow wax.

I thought "Ooh, looks nice. But no testers....why didn't they keep testers?!! Risk it? Nah, what if the powders are chalky? Remember your disappointment with the Accessorize lipstick? Okay, I'll check out reviews & swatches online, and then come back another day- when I'm back from India. Ya. Bye bye, beautiful!" I got some other stuff and left the store.

Fast forward: Later, I googled...found no reviews on it...couldn't stop thinking about it the whole night! What to do??? I'm supposed to leave for India tomorrow...so you go get it when you come back....NO! I can't, I can't wait that long! Okay calm down, woman! There's only one way you'll get it today.....

Text message to Mr.CZ: "*insert cute name I wouldn't call him in front of other people* you going anywhere near Superdrug?"

This pretty little thing houses 7 things:

• 3 brow powders (light/medium/dark) ~ They are smooth & quite pigmented, although I wish the 2 lighter shades were a little more cool-toned. They referred to the lightest powder as a highlighter, but we can all agree it's too dark for the brow bone. On the brighter side, you could use them all as eyeshadows too.

• Clear brow wax ~ It does hold up long-ish untrimmed brow hairs and gives a defined arch.

• Mini tweezers ~ They do their job fine.

• Mini dual-ended brush ~ Brushes on both ends are the same- angled but a bit to fluffy for eyebrows, I must say.

• Mirror ~  Always a plus.

Sleek Oh So Special Palette Review & Swatches

For a long time after I got Sleek Oh So Special, I tried to put a finger on something that's not right about it. I stared at it....and pondered... but I couldn't figure it out. I put my photo alongside another photo from Google, then I saw it! The eyeshadows do not have the waffle design. Sheesh! I used to like that. I guess it's only done on limited edition palettes?

I'll let the pictures & swatches do most of the talking here. I'll just say that I love almost everything about this palette. I highly recommend it! There are festive shimmery shades, and there are everyday matte shades. If I had to pick one inexpensive/drugstore eyeshadow palette to gift to a friend, this is it. Cute shade names like Bow, Ribbon, Gift Basket & Celebrate make it all the more gift-worthy.

MAC Impassioned ~ Lipstick Of The Month!

When you're browsing the MAC website, is there a particular swatch from the wall of lipstick swatches that you always end up clicking?

For me, it has a-l-w-a-y-s been Impassioned. I think I've clicked on it, like, 30 times. So in September last year, before leaving New Delhi, I decided to get it & try out the attractive thing. But I didn't start using it until December! Now I'm wearing it at least twice a week. Mostly because all the warm clothes I have to wear in this weather are black, and I just want to brighten up something. 

Most Popular Beauty Products Right Now

These are only some of the most popular products right now. By that, I mean they're the most raved about products, and they're on every, say, 10 beauty blogger's & vlogger's  'Favorites' or 'Holygrail' list.

I wanted to add more in this collage, but I just couldn't remember any other products. It's like my mind wanted to hide them from me. No, I don't believe in all that 'ignorance is bliss' nonsense.

• Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder (Price- Rs.400+) ~ It became an instant internet sensation when every makeup enthusiast saw Kim K's makeup artist used it to set her concealer under her eyes. He highlighted & contoured her face (not an out of the ordinary technique if you're familiar with Kevyn Aucoin's work). Now everybody on Youtube is using this powder, and contouring & highlighting like Kim K & pretend it's their original idea *sigh*.  I'm drawn to the yellow-ish shade because I used to love using a yellow Kryolan Loose Powder (do try that one if other powders make you look ashy). Btw, Inglot also have similar yellow-ish/peachy loose powders. 

• Seche Vite Top Coat (Price- Rs.500+) ~ Is it the world's finest top coat? Many beauty & nail polish junkies seem to think so. I think I want this the least out of all these products..... but I want to try it.

• La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (Rs.950-1000 in India) ~ Since last year, I'd been looking for it & still have not got it. I've been seeing it everywhere! It's very popular in the UK. When I moved here, I started reading a few UK beauty blogs, and almost all of them are raving about this. They say it really does help clear out pimples & blemishes. I NEED IT! Always 'Out Of Stock' in Boots, btw. I have to get it online.

• Bioderma Crealine H2O (Around Rs.900 for a 500ml bottle) ~ Gentle cleanser/makeup remover. This baby has put this French brand on the map! Is it oil? Is it water? Is it oily water? I gotz to know!

• MAC Candy Yum Yum Lipstick (Price- Rs.990) ~ This bright neon pink matte lippie was a limited edition item which came out with the Quite Cute Collection in 2011. By popular demand, it is now part of the permanent line. Woohoo! I'm happy even though I got it in 2011, and have done a look with it here & swatched it here. 

• Beauty Blender Sponge (Price- around Rs.980) ~ Dampen it.... bounce it.....roll it....dab it....that's how you use it to blend face products with it for a flawless finish. It has a suede texture and its unique curves fit the contours of your face. So darn pricey for a sponge BUT everybody loves it, wants it. I want to squeeze - no, pinch - it.

• Moroccan Oil (Price- Rs.2000+) ~ This is old news, but I have not mentioned it before, so I will now. It is Moroccan Argan Oil for hair. It not only claims to make your hair healthier, it claims to reduce drying time as well. I hadn't even heard of argan oil until this came along, and now all hair care brands have copied it. BUT original is original &  first is first, okay? Nobody will care if you & I are the next people to climb Mount Everest. But good God, look at that price!

♥ 

Yes, I MUST have ALL of them! Follow the herd to greener prettier pastures.

You joining, or are you already there?

 ♥ Cynthia Z *.*