Urban Decay Naked Palette ~ 13 Years Later

Remember the days? How mad we all got over this palette? This is what I call a true CULT product.

I saw this relaunch happening the moment I heard Urban Decay was discontinuing their original Naked Eyeshadow Palette in 2018. 

(Now we anticipate the return of the Volkswagen Beetle, yeah? Even if only to admire from afar.)

When the buzz in the makeup world was orbiting around the new, reformulated Naked Palette, I had the urge to take out my old palette from a drawer of all expired makeup products that I can't (CANNOT!) throw in the garbage. This is what it looks like now.....

Super/Sunblock MOM

I'm not quite a SuperMom, I'm more of a SunblockMom 😂

All I'm concerned about is applying sunblock on my child. We have a sunblock routine before he goes to school, etc - face, arms, legs.

I've been trying to find the perfect sunblock for him - one that protects & also prevents tanning, because he tans very easily. 

When we'd gone to Shillong (scorching hill station sun) one time, he'd come back looking roasted.

We've gone through tubes and tubes from most brands, but none of them have been 10/10. I've recently bought a new one. I'll come back with a post on that.

SHOPAHOLIC Diary: Electronics

I don't know why I'm doing this post, really. I just uploaded these pics straight from my phone.

Last week I decided to enter an electronics store to check if they had....umm.... a particular tool, which I got and it's fantastic. I'm not gonna tell you what. 

Then I started to wander.....

Usha Janome Marvela Pink Sewing Machine Pink

I was gonna buy this without any hesitation....OMG. Thankfully, only this display piece was available & we never!

It would've been a reckless purchase, but I do need a sewing machine. Have been on my wishlist for ages.

I'm going to stitch a really pretty patchwork duvet cover, alter my jeans, ruffle my cushions. Yes, I am.

If anyone is thinking about buying me a birthday present - hello, please 👆

*

Hello Kitty Earphones ~ The Obsession Continues

I'm in my 40s now, and I'm still obsessed with Sanrio Hello Kitty stuff (oh lord, so much stuff out there!)

I don't care what anybody thinks.

The love you once had for something just doesn't go away, okay.

I saw these earphones and I couldn't pick just one! I couldn't!

So I was gifted all three.

My Melody

Kuromi 

Hello Kitty

April Favourites | 2024

Remember MONTHLY FAVOURITES posts? They used to be my favourite :)

Okay! Firstly, my Number One April Favourite is......

Baby Reindeer - on Netflix. 

WOW!!! Too good! This is an absolutely brilliant dark comedy TV show. It made me laugh like crazy (the best laughs I've had in a while, really), it made me uneasy & tense & furious, it broke my heart a little - or a lot, I don't know - and it soothed something in me in the end. I'm rewatching it.

WARNING: Disturbing scenes though. It went from hilarious to dark real quick.

On to the beauty products I've been using & loving for months - I thought I'd do products that are easily available in India this time....

My 10 Eye Makeup Products

Here are 10 eye makeup products that I currently use almost everyday, except for the false eyelashes of course.

Please note that these shades are for my light brown eyes & pink-toned hair.

Summer's End Reverie

Feet and ears tucked snugly inside the quilt, instead of out.

An unanticipated sneeze before you've even brushed your teeth.

Sandpaper knuckles.

That in-between emotion that you've yet to name & fittingly stow.

Little notes from Summer - that it has left.

******

Okay, I don't know where I was going with that. These are just impromptu pictures I clicked because I loved the light & shadows in my room that day :)

BUT they are my favourite things......

The BEST & Life Changing Nail Product Ever Made!

Midnight: 

All chores are done. The house is quiet. I'm so tired & sleepy, but I have to paint my nails. 

I can't bear to look at all the old, chipped nail polish any longer!

This is the only time I wouldn't have to touch anything and can just sit there waiting for my nails to dry -forever.

Next Morning: 

I see a dent, a scratch, a hair mark, fibres, a black spot, a minuscule rock, etc.

All my patience & hard work tainted by something as insignificant as one toenail grazing the other toenail in my sleep.

********

I'm sure this happens to us all. How have we lived like this for years & decades?!

Now, I can tell you we can avoid all that! No more!

Now, your nails can get dry & damage proof in 60 seconds!

Meet:

Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops

This magic-in-a-bottle comes with a glass pipette dropper, and it's nourished with Vitamin E & Almond Oil. I think I noticed my nails breaking from the nail bed less these days (touchwood!)

Just 1 drop of this potion on my newly-polished nails - after they've dried on their own a bit - and the world is not my enemy anymore!

MINISO Haul ~ August 2023

Do we love Miniso, or do we LOVE MINISO?

Miniso India has started keeping interesting stuff again since after Covid time. There was a phase when I was seeing the same things every time I visited their stores. Now the vibe is different - there are new keychains... and dish cleansing sponges.... and cat paw laundry clips I don't need but bought anyway.

The MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick That I Used Up The Fastest!

By "Fastest", I mean within 2 months! Maybe 1 month, even.

One reason is, it's an everyday pink shade. Plus, it's lightweight and tasty & totally addictive. 

I used it as a blush & eyeshadow base quite often, too.

MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks are my absolute favourite lipsticks; there's nothing I dislike about them - except....EXCEPT their price tag, especially now that it's been hiked to ₹2200 (Launch Price was ₹1650)

So far, I've only used 5 shades -- all bought at launch price upto ₹1850, if I'm not mistaken.

Maybelline Tattoo Studio Smokey Gel Pencils & Brow Pigment Pencil

These photos were taken 2nd December last year (2022), and even though I'd been using all these products every single day since, they're still not finished today. Like, just a teeny tiny bit left of the black gel pencil & brow pencil.

Love, love love all of them, particularly the Smokey Gel Liner Pencils, which come with a smudger & a hidden sharpener. They're so smooth & intense, and last all day.

Smokey Gel Pencils Smokey Black

Smokey Gel Pencils Smokey Brown

Tattoo Brow Pencil Light Brown

My TOP 5 Cosy House Coats

Does a dislike for winters come naturally to everyone who grew up in hilly/wet/cold areas?

I'm a summer girl, and I really appreciate that winters here are short-lived. I was just thinking about getting some new fleece socks, because all my ancient ones have been misplaced or have holes in them....but here we are, at 29° already.

There are only 3 things that I will miss about winter:

- Boots

- The messages Zii leaves me on the hot shower steam in the bathroom.

- Plushy, Cosy House Coats - or dressing gowns & robes.

Ah, I dream of the day when I can just walk out the door in a plushy house coat. So many winter mornings I wished I could just throw on a plush coat over my pyjamas & put on some boots to drop Zii to school. I mean, what would be wrong in that, really?

I realized that I was a bit too obsessed them, when they were all I wanted to buy from most stores.  So I really controlled myself this past winter. I didn't buy any! I lived in just 5 of my favourites......

Vintage Rose Lips

It's awkward & stressful when people ask me what lipstick I'm wearing, because it's never just one shade. Most times it's 4-5 shades, sometimes it's more. Sometimes there's even an eyeshadow, or a blush, or a concealer involved.

Doing my lips is always like getting into a car and driving with no destination in mind. My new thing is putting a stack of little pre-torn square tissues for lip blotting on my vanity table. 

It's become a compulsion - applying, layering, blotting & re-applying multiple times....until someone yells, "LET'S GO! WE'RE LATE!"

Here are 8 lip products that I have been using everyday, to create my favourite rosy-n*de-a bit peachy-but more pinky combination - which I now simply call Vintage Rose....

I Was Craving A FLORAL HANDBAG!

A few months ago, a floral handbag was all---I---could---think---about!

I searched everywhere online. Some too pricey, some too dicey.

I went to my favourite LYN, and the website was down. I found out later that the brand had pulled out of India - like some other international brands....  *bleep* Covid *bleep* *bleep*

Just when my interest was starting to dwindle - as with all things that don't come to me easily, I stumbled upon a floral handbag I liked....

but is it the one?

maybe I can find a prettier one?

a pink one?

maybe I should check that app.....

A MATCHING WALLET!!!

oh yes, it is the one.

The following weekend, I was at the store. Prayed both bag and wallet would be there, because they belong together. They are a co-ord set.

Vintage-Inspired Gingham Set

A gorgeous set I got back in July, but have never really worn. 

Wearing is never the point anyway, it's the h-a-v-i-n-g *bites nails*

If you're familiar with For Love & Lemons stuff, you'll see that this set is somewhat similar to their vintage vibe - with the little covered buttons, daisies & eyelash lace.

I HAD to get my hands on it immediately after it was launched on their website. 

They had me at 'gingham'; they sold me at little coated buttons.

Bottoms are adorned with gold heart hardware with straps along the back.

Stuffed Toy Blanket ~ Product Of The Month

There are some things I buy for my kid that I wish I did not buy for my kid. 

You know what I mean?

You tell your kid there's a surprise present on the way, he/she gets super excited, it arrives, you want it for yourself......but it's too late for you to stea--- backtrack.

It's actually a "Return Gift" he expects on his parents' birthdays. 

After I checked everywhere online and found nothing, this stuffed toy reindeer blanket seemed like the best & cutest choice - that isn't Hot Wheels, or the likes. He's into plushies lately, so he adores it!

Pieces Of Me.......

Wool Beret ~ H&M

Harness Belt ~ H&M Blackpink Collection

Pyramid Heeled Ankle Boots ~ H&M

One Of My Favourite Reads, 2021 ~ Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

♡

Be right back......

Kisses

xo,

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That One Small Eyeshadow Palette.....

Product Of The Month/Season

You have brown, mauve & pressed glitter - in a stylish & well-thought of gold-encased basket weave packaging, mirror & all.

The last 4th shade works as a highlighter as well.

This palette is all I've been wearing with smudged brown & black kohl pencils.

Kiko Milano Dolce Diva Eyeshadow Palette in 02 Sleek Mauve

Nail Polish Of The Month

This green! 😍

It's called 'Honeydew Melon', if I Google searched correctly. 

Now I'm wishing for a velour tracksuit set in this exact colour. I might have to call H&M.

*M A N I F E S T I N G*

W For Woman, the Indian wear brand, have launched their own nail polish & cosmetics line in select stores. I picked up these 2 nail polishes for Diwali.

Green is named, Breeze

Silver glitter is named, Dazzle

Their nail polish manufacturer is the same as Colorbar's, btw. I'd say the quality is almost the same too.

Price: ₹199

♡

xo,

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New Black Bow Set

 Midnights With CZ- VI

As a l--nger--e addict, I've come to the conclusion that my most favourite type of br-- are the ones that almost look like tops, or at least a cropped top. Okay, said type of br-- are called b--tiers/longline b--/b--lettes. Also, if kn**kers look like little skirts or have criss-crossy thingies, I am definitely buying.

If you're wondering if I'd wear this b--lette out like a top, I would. Of course, with another black strapless br-- under it (only because it's sheer), and paired with high-waist trousers & maybe a light cardigan or shrug over it, if not a blazer. I wanna try it over a shirt too.

I saw this online & I went craaa-zzzy, because I was confused which size to get - UK 6 or UK 8.

I'm usually a 6, but I just loathe too-tight br--.... plus, I've also gained a bit of weight lately. I was so scared that it'll sell out, because everything I like online seems to sell out in 10 mins.

Finally, I just went to the store to try on both sizes. The lower band doesn't stretch too much, so my first  instinct to go with an 8 was correct.

It's very 'Gianni-Giorgio', as I like to call designer-looking clothes 😀

It reminds me of the top part of the Gaultier number Bella Hadid wore somewhere.