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Showing posts with label Make Up For Ever. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Make Up For Ever. Show all posts

7/17/13

Life With & Without Face Powders ~ A Guide

How I Fell In Love With Powder:
I had this flatmate/friend in college. She had a dusky skin tone, and her skin was flawless! Smooth and spotless, albeit major dark circles around her eyes. She loved taking care of her skin. Even before brushing her teeth in the morning, she would make a paste of besan (gramflour) and grounded nuts to wash & exfoliate her face with. I'd never have the energy for such things that early. Her mom would send her these containers of powdered nuts mixed with other powdered stuff specially made for her skin. Read between the lines here. So this girl used to put on a Lakmé Compact Powder when she went out - the puraana (old) one that came in a green packaging - and her skin would look even more flawless! I could stare at her skin for hours. I was a simple eyeliner & lipstick gal then, and that's when I decided to try out powders.
And.... a perpetual habit was born.
I've never talked about powders before, so I thought I'd do it today. Below are some of the powders I have with me right now, and I'll just talk through them and let you know my favorite and the not-so-favorite kinds, for your reference:
Loose Powders:
  • Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ~ If you feel this powder, you'll fall in love instantly. It will haunt you, until you go back to the store to buy it. That's what happened to me in Kuala Lumpur. It makes skin feel like silk. It's white because it's meant to suit all skin tones. The reason why I don't use it much is because if you use too much, it'll definitely show patches of white, especially in photos. Let's not forget it's rumored to have caused a lot of makeup mishaps for many celebs
  • NARS Loose Powder in Beach ~ It's a nice setting powder, but I wouldn't buy it again.
  • The Body Shop Loose Face Powder in 01 ~ This is my 2nd container, so you can imagine how much I like it. I always seem to go back to it.
  • I couldn't find my Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (pics here), which is a pretty good handbag compact
  • Also, MAC Blot Powder (pics here), which I'd somewhat forgotten I have until now, this moment! =\

Compact Powders:
  • Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Sandstorm 004 ~ It's a nice inexpensive drugstore compact, but it's not as silky as I'd like it to be.

  • MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Medium ~ I like this one when I'm not wearing foundation, and I want a little bit of coverage.

  • Lakmé Perfect Radiance Intense Whitening Compact in Ivory Fair 01 ~ This is too yellow for my skin tone. It's also heavier than most of the compacts I've used. I was quite disappointed with it.

  • Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Powder ~ This was from a Limited Edition collection. It's my current handbag compact powder. Just a translucent compact powder. More pics and swatch here

Compact 'Vs' Loose Powders ~ I personally prefer Loose Powders, because they feel lighter and look more natural over foundation. I only use compacts for touch-ups, when I'm out.

THE BEST Loose Powder I've Ever Used: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder. It costs around Rs.2600, and I get why it's won most beauty awards. It contains the finest French cashmere talc, hence very smooth and lightweight. A mini version came with the Undercover Pot that I have, and I've already used up the powder before the duo concealers. It's been on my wishlist for years.

Best Way To Apply Face Powders: I prefer using a fluffy powder brush when using both loose & compact powders, because I only want a thin veil to set my foundation. When I use a powder puff, I dust off excess with a brush- preferably a soft synthetic one, like the Too Faced Powder Pouf Brush.

Picking Powder Shades: My skin has a golden undertone, so I like using powders with some yellow in them, and I avoid pinkish-looking ones. I usually go for 'Translucent' (transparent) or natural beige shades. If you have a neutral skin tone, pick beige shades. You could always mix 2 powders, if you can't find the right match. Kryolan makes a yellow loose powder that suits most skin tones, and can be mixed with beige & tan powders.

Life Without Powders: One weekend at the in-laws, I noticed that I didn't pack my The Body Shop Loose Powder + I'd also switched handbags and left my makeup pouch where my compact was at home. I felt a very withdrawal symptom kind of feeling. Clean & Clear Oil Blotting Sheets to the rescue, thankfully.

If you don't want to wear foundation, but want your skin to look radiant and fresh, try powders and see the difference!

Hope you found this post helpful. Would love to know which powders you love.




2/9/12

11 Favorites: Makeup, Skincare, Book & A Leopard and Lace Handbag


I can't review everything I use & love, so some things worth talking about will be in my 'favorites' posts. 
This time, I picked 11 favorite things:
  • The Body Shop Natrulift Firming Serum With Organic  Pomegranate: My skin loves this stuff. It is light yellow & has a gel-like texture. My face soaks it up in a jiffy. It makes my face feel firm, plump, and hydrated without feeling heavy or oily. It smells like pomegranate, of course, which I love. Now I get why it's a TBS Best Seller. Price- Rs.1555 for 30 ml.
  • Pond's Smooth Pores Pore Tightening Facial Foam: Have giant pores? Try this. It makes my face so smooth and clean! It's interestingly light grey in color too.  Price- Rs.65.
  • MAC Cleanse Off Oil: My DHC Cleansing Oil is almost over (say, another 1 month?), but I just couldn't wait to get this again (I've used up a bottle before) Now I know it's my favorite makeup remover & cleansing oil. It beats DHC in my books. Price- Rs.1200.
  • YSL Babydoll: I finished this! I can't wait to be at Duty Free and get another one. It's one of my scents, and I'd feel incomplete without it.
  • Lauren Conrad Sugar and Spice: Jane Roberts, why are you so sweet? Who will you end up with? I started reading this in December, but so much was happening I couldn't even read 10 pages of it. Still not done with it yet, no spoilers! Price- Rs.250

1/28/12

Purple Lipstick Suggestions ~ From A Reader


After my Lipsticks That Don't Exist post, I got a very helpful comment from a reader- Perween.

Hey Cynthia, I love going through your blog. You have a great knack for writing that is not only informative but has a wonderful sense of humour. After reading this post I took it upon myself to hunt for a violet lipstick for you. I went to Sephora today and came across these lipsticks that may match the second picture:
  • MUFE - Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick, Shade #15 - Pearly Violet 
  • Smashbox – Be Legendary Lipstick, Shade – Bold Berry (vivid violet)
  • Dior – Rouge Dior Lipstick, Shade 786- Mysterious Mauve
  • Dior – High Fashion Lipstick, Shade 001, Violet Tatoo

Isn't that the sweetest thing?! :) ♥

I couldn't find good photos of all the lippies on Google, so I just  put up these to give you all an idea....



I am definitely going to get Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense #15.

Thanks Perween! I really appreciate your very kind & thoughtful effort.

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

1/7/12

Make Up For Ever Mumbai Haul & Swatches


I was in Mumbai before heading off to Goa so I got a chance to drop by Make Up For Ever in Mumbai. I was so excited! I have been to many MUFE stores before but somehow I was more enthu about going to one in "India" =D

I wanted to buy so many things but when I got there, I was all confused. I wanted to try the Mat Velvet+ Foundation but couldn't find a shade exactly like my MUFE HD Foundation #120 & my most-wanted 12 Flash Color Case wasn't available. 



In the end, I ended up buying only 3 things:
  • Make Up For Ever Star Powders 951 Iridescent Fuchsia & 974 Taupe ~ These are loose shimmery pigments that can be used anywhere on the face & body. I'm going to love Iridescent Fuchsia coz I I always wanted a really pigmented candy pink eyeshadow.
  • Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural N35 ~ This is a sheer & non-opaque version of the MUFE Rouge Artist Intense Lipsticks. They are more natural-looking, hence the name.

4/19/11

Favorite Red Lipsticks

Red Lipsticks are confidence boosters. That I believe. But some go as far as to say that women who wear red lipsticks have better careers and success. Really?! I don't think so.
I'm somebody who used to have a red wallet because according to Feng Shui, red wallets attract money. I was in college and always broke, so I thought it was the best piece of information I'd ever heard and I believed in it until...I couldn't afford a bread pakora from the college canteen. Of course I didn't have enough money to begin with and I always had expensive taste, but still.

Anyways, here are my Favorite Red Lipsticks:

  • Colorbar Velvet Matte Hot Hot Hot ~ So HOT!
  • Revlon Colorburst True Red ~ Really a true red. Finish is awesome, but I don't like how wide the tip is. Not very easy to apply with.
  • Make Up For Ever Moulin Rouge ~ The most pigmented of them all
  • MAC Heartless (Venomous Villains Evil Queen) ~ I'm so glad I got this. It's superfabulous! Swatch below.
  • Shu Uemura RD 165S ~ This has silver shimmer, and I heart it coz it makes my teeth look really white.
  • MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lauper ~ I realized this isn't really red, but it belongs in the family.
  • The Balm Read My Lips Wanted ~ Has a pink undertone 

2/15/11

Valentine's Day Look & Outfit

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's day. I had fun, although the sudden change of weather here in Delhi spoiled my 'pink' plans a little bit. Anyways, on to my V-Day look....


Makeup:
Face- MUFE HD Foundation, Body Shop Loose Face Powder, YSL Touche Eclat
Cheeks- Inglot Cream Blush #84, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Rose to highlight cheekbones
Lips- MUFE Rouge Artist Intense #32
Eyes- UDPP, Nyx Jumbo Pencil Milk as base, Shimmery white eyeshadow all over lids & inner corners, Pink & Blue eyeshadows from LA Colors Circus palette , MAC Petrol Blue Pearlglide Intense Eye Liner, Revlon Beyond Natural Long Volumizing Eyelashes

1/14/11

Make Up For Ever Moulin Rouge Inspired Look


Since I'm into red lips these days, I thought I'd do an inspired look and it had to be Make Up For Ever's Moulin Rouge Collection promo pic. Hope you like!

1/11/11

Make Up For Ever Très Vichy Collection For Spring 2011


Who wants to kiss (on the cheek!) that girl in the promo pic? Isn't the whole pin-up girl meets Barbie look just ADORABLE?!! And OMG...BOWS! *.*  Très Vichy in French means "Very Gingham" and I'm a big fan of gingham prints too! I can't wait for this collection. It's the cutest one since the MAC Hello Kitty Collection in  my books. I hope that it'll definitely be launched in India too.

Make Up For Ever Très Vichy Collection is inspired by Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress & model.



Tres Vichy Collection Products:
Star Powder Diamond ~ Crystal White, Sweet Pink, Peach Pink, Pale Green
Très Vichy Palette ~ Crystal Diamond # 301 and Cheek Color # 303. 
Très Vichy Faux Lash ~ Lashes with gingham bows. Oh-so-cute!

I see a Très Vichy-inspired look coming ;)

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^