IVC Makeup & Beauty Awards 2010 ~ Best Lipstick, Best Eye Pencil & Best Kajal

It is now time to pick the best of affordable Lipsticks, Eye Pencils & Kajals in the Indian market. Nominees for theses categories are, you can say, products that are in the same league. 

Best Lipstick

Nominees ~ Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick, Revlon Colorburst Lipstick, Loreal Color Riche Lipstick, Bourjois Sweet Kiss Lipstick, Colorbar Soft Touch Lipstick

IVC Makeup & Beauty Awards 2010 ~ Best Eye Cream & Best Drugstore Foundation

I thought it would be fun to feature Makeup & Beauty Awards this year and pick the best of Makeup & Beauty products I have personally been using during and before the year 2010. 

*Mainly Indian brands (or brands widely available in India) will be nominated & brands like MAC and Clinique will NOT be a part of IVC awards (they already have enough awards on their mantles anyway)

First up are the best of Eye Creams & Drugstore Foundations.

Best Eye Cream

Nominees for best Eye Cream~ Lotus Nutraeye Rejuvenating & Correcting Eye Gel, Biotique Almond Under Eye Cream, Himalaya Under Eye Cream

Rupee Sign Inspired Look

I have wanted to do this for a while now, ever since the Rupee sign became official in August 2010, right?  Don't quote me on that lol...I don't read/watch the news much.

Anyways, were you ecstatic as I was about it?

From the day I was born, the Americans had $, the English had £, and we Indians had "Rs." and let's face it, aar-ess is not fancy like signs. Remember those movie scenes where dollar signs fly about to indicate a lot of money? Well, imagine 'Rs' flying about like that. Yup.

But now we have our very own rupee symbol...Yay! And an edgy-looking one too!

Sophie Ellis Bexter 'Not Giving Up On Love' Makeup

If you're familiar with trance or disco music, you must know who Sophie Ellis Bexter is. She's the one who sang 'Murder On The Dance Floor', but I never like her songs until recently, when she collaborated with Armin Van Buuren (DJ) in a song ~ 'Not Giving Up on Love'. Last Friday, I went to a club coz Armin was playing there as part of his India tour. So fun!

Sophie's look in the music video is so fabulous- Thick black winged eyeliner and Coral lips. 

So I thought I'd copy the look. *The flash altered the real color of my lipstick, which is a lot more orange in daylight.

Wearable Runway Eyeliner Tutorial

I really liked this runway eyeliner trend featured in Vogue, so I thought I'd try it out and maybe add my own twist to it. Here's my take on it with a step-by-step photo tutorial on how to do it...

Worst Shampoo & Conditioner EVER & Their Replacements

Bad. Bad. Regret. Regret.

L'Oreal's Elseve Re-Nutrition gave me the most lifeless, lacklustre hair I've ever had. Considering I just got my hair straightened, lustre shouldn't be hard to achieve with any shampoo and conditioner, don't you think?

Imagine this: You oil your hair before shampooing, then shampoo it. But you feel that there's still a bit of oil left on your hair. Yes, that's how my hair felt after using these. 

Imagine this too: Using body lotion as a conditioner (not that you can't use body lotion in emergencies). The Conditioner does feel like a body lotion. Ugh!

My scalp got greasy after only 1 day too.

So, I had to change after using them only twice.

Sunsilk Silky Smooth & Manageable Shampoo and Conditioner to the rescue. Absolutely love 'em!

I could touch my hair all day!

I know I should not tell people to buy or not to buy stuff and rely on their own opinions, but I can't help it this time. Please don't waste your money on L'oreal's Royal Jelly (that's what the Re-Nutrition range is made of), unless of course you oil your hair everyday to tame the frizz.

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Lingerie Model Inspired Makeup

The look I did for the Make Up for Ever Contest was actually a Lingerie Model inspired makeup I did to post here, but then I saw the MUFE contest and decided to put up the look there instead =D 

Life is unpredictable!

La Senza models wear bows on their heads, I wore the bow on my finger lol

I almost submitted the photo up there (in black & white of course) for the MUFE contest, but then decided to go with this one, which I'm sure most of you have seen.........

Fashion Friday : OOTD & LOTD

This is my first ever Fashion Friday post. I decided I'll do it every week starting today, to break the monotony. And yeah, so that I'll buy more clothes too instead of makeup makeup every time! =)

Top ~ Mango (Quite low so the black tube top ;) )

High-waisted Skirt ~ Sub Zero

Thin Black Belt ~ Comes with the skirt

Shoes ~ Vincci

Bag ~ Accessorize

Earrings ~ Miss Jo

Makeup Products Used:

• Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
• Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
• Bourjois Delice De Poudre Bronzing Powder
• Mac Peaches Blush (Swatch & Review here)
• Loreal Open Eyes quad: Open Cobalt
• Maybelline Lasting Drama gel liner (black)
• Himalaya Kajal
• Maybelline BrowDefinist by Eyestudio
• Bourjois Ultra Care Mascara (Review here)
• Lips~ Mac Give Me Liberty of London: Ever Hip l/s & Perennial High Style lipgloss

Hope you like! ;) and have a GREAT-GREAT weekend!

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Loving ~ L'OREAL Hairmix Supreme Smooth For Dry Hair (Review)

L'OREAL Hairmix range is especially formulated for thick, dry and rebellious hair, which most Indians are born with. Formulated with natural ingredients and essential oils to nourish and smoothen thirsty, rebellious and thick hair, Hairmix will leave your hair smooth, silky, defined and control.

What it is:

Nutri-smoothing cream for dry hair. Adds moisture, tames and smoothes the hair, whilst controlling the frizz. Protects hair against damage from heated styling tools.

India's Watsons/Boots? ~ New U Store + Haul

Image: www.indiaretailing.com

I'm very happy to see a health and beauty store, called New U (by Dabur) in Delhi and Gurgaon. I went with my friends from back home recently, and they went crazy at the store. The store offer most things-from make-up to skincare. I especially like the beauty tools and accessories, like bath stuff, false eyelashes, vanity bags and mani-pedi equipments.

Make-up brands include Maybelline, Loreal, Chambor etc

They also sell fragrances (Nina Ricci, Carolina Herrera, etc)

I've only been to the ones in Ambience Mall and Promenade Mall, but I think there are a lot of stores in other cities as well.

Size-wise, the stores are not as big as Watsons and Boots, but I guess starting small is the way to go for any retail chain in this uncertain economy.

I just bought a few things because I'm trying very hard not to buy unnecessary stuff and I can always go back for more *wink wink*

There were these cute nail polish removers in pink, green and purple bottles which I really liked. Forgot the name of the brand. 

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner ~Black (Rs.375)

Can't help falling in love with this! ;)

Sen Chocolate & Milk Hand and Body Lotion (Rs.125)

This does smell like dark chocolate. It's moisturizing without leaving my skin feeling greasy

There are other products from this brand from Turkey that I'd love to try out like Strawberry & Milk Hand & Body Lotion. Check out their website here if you want to know more.

QVS Natural Lashes (Rs.250) & Glamour Lashes (Rs.220)

I actually got the Glamour Lashes last December and tried wearing them on New Year's eve but they just didn't seem to stick to my eyes. I hope I have better luck with the Natural ones.

Garnier Gentle Soothing Face Wash With Orange Fruit Extract (Rs.40)

Loving this face wash! Doesn't dry out my skin and leaves it feeling very very smooth. I recommend it 100%

Wait. That's it?! I must be getting really good at controlling my impulses =D

P.S~ Sorry for the lack of posts. Been really busy with life. Now I'm back for good :)

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

L'Oreal Super Liner Carbon Gloss Review & EOTD

I've never been a fan of liquid eyeliners with those thin flimsy brush applicators. Which is why I love this one because of the sponge-tipped pen applicator that is so easy to line my eyes with. The color is glossy black and very pigmented. It's not like one of those sheer black liquid eyeliners you have to  pile on to get the black-black. It is not waterproof, which I like in a liquid liner. The waterproof ones tend to crack!

It is Ophthalmologically tested, which I guess is gonna be good for my sensitive eyes.

Over all, a great liner. I think when the black liquid finishes or dries up, I'll keep this applicator to use with my gel liners =)

Rating ~ ♥♥♥♥♥

Available in all L'Oreal counters and priced at Rs.570. A little overpriced for a liner, in my opinion. Looks like it should cost no more than Rs.500 to me.

Used the liner for the first time today....

For this EOTD I used:

• Applied shimmery white eyeshadow on the brow bone and tear ducts.
• A lime green shimmery eyeshadow on the lids and inner half of bottom lash line
• A chocolate brown eyeshadow on the  outer V and blended it into the inner half of the crease
• Lined my eyes with Loreal Super Liner Carbon Gloss
• Lined the waterline with Black Maybelline Unstoppable liner and smudged the outer corners with the same chocolate brown eyeshadow.
• 3 coats of Max Factor false Lash Effect Mascara in Black

Have you all tried this liner?

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

New Launches ~ India ~ Maybelline & Loreal

~ Launched Products ~

Maybelline Eyestudio Vivid & Smooth Liners (Rs.200 each)

These are so nice! They come in many shades from sea green to pink but I just got 2 shades~ White and Grey. Swatches coming up.

Loreal Extra Volume Colagene Mascara (Rs.525)

~ Launching Next Month ~

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liners

Comparison of this and Mac Fluidline ~ here

Loreal True Match Roll-on Foundation

Aren't we all excited?! =)

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Collective Haul & Swatches

Below are products which I never had the time to swatch or do reviews on. Some I bought recently and some in '09. For a while, I had actually forgotten about some of them =)

YSL Rouge Volupte in Frivolous Pink (Rs.1730)

No.. No.. No...

This lipstick is kinda overrated to me. Yes it's creamy and silky but it does not settle on your lips unless you use your finger to blend it. Plus the color is so "WRONG" for me. I didn't go buy it myself. Well, long story short, I picked the color over the phone. But no worries, for Rs. 1730 I'll make it work. By that, I mean either apply sparingly or mix it with other colors. The only thing i absolutely love about it is the luxurious packaging.

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine~ RD 165S (Rs.945), Bourjois Docteur Glamour ~ Rose Toubib (Rs.520), L'Oreal Infallible ~ Blush Obsession (Rs.800)

Love all of these. Good luck getting L'Oreal Infallible off your lips! Long-wear indeed.

Bourjois Glittering Loose Eyeshadow~07 Ambre (Rs.585), Bourjpis Little Round Pot Eyeshadow ~ 34 Rose Tentation (Rs.380)

I adore these eyeshadows especially Rose Tentation. It's so pretty

 ♥Bourjois Maxi Frange Mascara (Waterproof) ~ Isn't the packaging of this so cute?!I didn't like this mascara very much when I first got it but I used it again yesterday and was surprised to see that it's not so bad. I'll try to use it up.

♥Bourjois Liner Glitter Fizz in 33 Sparkling green ~ Perfect colored liquid eyeliner imo

♥Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner (Black) ~ Love this!

♥Bourjois Sparkling Eyeliner ~31 Noir Eblouissant (Rs.250) ~ Love this too.

(L-R)Bourjois Green, Bourjois Sparkling, Maybelline Unstoppable

Bourjois Duo Lip Scrub & Baume

This is such a fun product. I like scrubbing my lips with the little buffer because it sort of increases the blood circulation to the lips which plumps them up and brings a nice natural color. The glycerine-infused iridescent balm does improve my chapped lips. I sure won't be throwing away this tube even when I've used up the balm.

Mini Bourjois Eau De Gloss in Framboise Glacee ~ FREE!

Inglot Nail Enamel in #150 (Rs.550)

I really like the finish of this nail polish and the lilac is perfect for spring. Will definitely be buying more Inglot nail polishes. The color selection is gorgeous.

♥ Cynthia Z ^_^

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