HoT NeW THiNG: L'Oreal Mat Magique Compact Powder

HoT NeW THiNG

New Product Releases & Previews

Every Thursday 

 (For your weekend shopping list ;))

******

First product of the day is the trending new budget compact powder that everyone is intrigued about: 

L'Oreal Mat Magique All-In-One Matte Transforming Powder.

The 1st magical matte all-in-one powder infused with volcanic perlite - a natural yet powerful sebum absorbant. It promises to:

  

Prime: Covers pores for 12H shine-free complexion

Perfect: Minimizes appearance of blemishes & skin imperfections.

Brighten: Impeccable bright complexion

On top all that, it has the #1 factor that makes it stand out from all other budget compact powders in the Indian market today.....

 SPF 34 PA+++

Ted Baker Bow Bag DUPE ~ For FREE!

Hola! How are you all doing? I'm back from my mini vacation. But more on that in the next post. I wanted to get this post up first.

Seriously, the best things really are FREE! I hauled quite a bit, but this particular haul's the one that got me the MOST excited! This.Bag. I can't even! If you've been haunted by the bow-tiful, but pricey, Ted Baker bags, go get one of these ASAP before they sell out!

Ted Baker bags are available in India at a store called 'The Collective', which has a few outlets in Delhi/NCR, like at Ambience Mall Gurgaon. The bag similar to this one costs Rs.3500. I crossed it off my wishlist, now that I have this free version =D

 

Vichy Capital Soleil SPF 50 Velvety Cream

It's that time of year when we are looking for that perfect sun fighter that will prevent our skin from looking like toasted bread. I'm one of the people who need it the most, because my skin is highly prone to sun damage. For my face, I mostly rely on BB Creams and foundations with SPF, but when I step outside in this scorching heat, I know I need extra protection- something stronger. Just when I was trying to decide which sunblock to get next, I was offered to try out this one - Vichy Capital Soleil Cream with SPF 50. If you've been eyeing it, read on.....

About:

For Normal to dry sensitive skin.

Ultra Hydrating (24hr)

Velvety Formula with a soft & silky finish.

Water Resistant.

Paraben-free.

Hypoallergenic.

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.......

My Review In Cosmopolitan Magazine ~ Lakmé CC Cream

As I've mentioned here, I'm part of Cosmo Beauty Panel, a group of 17 people who'll be reviewing the newest products that hit shelves for Cosmopolitan India. One of my first set of reviews was featured in last month's (October) issue, and it's of India's first CC Cream - Lakmé CC Cream.

About  Lakmé CC Cream: A complexion care cream with SPF 20 that protects, moisturizes, brightens, evens tone, conceals & freshens.

Available in 2 shades- Beige & Bronze. I've been using Beige.

I said: "It evened out my skin tone, which has underlying hyperpigmentation (melasma), but wasn't thick enough to conceal spots. While it lasts all day, it requires a bit of powder in top so skin doesn't look oily."

Below are some swatches to complete my review.......

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.

NEW! Lakmé CC Cream

After BB or Blemish Balm Creams , comes CC Creams- Complexion Care Creams. Our Lakmé has launched one!  

 Price ~ Rs. 250 for 30ml.

NEW! Pond's White Beauty BB + Fairness Cream

Another BB Cream has hit the Indian market, and it seems to have all the benefits & sun protection we'd need during our scorching summers.

First of its kind Pond’s white beauty BB+Fairness Cream that instantly covers spots and lightens skin from within to give you radiant skin all day.

The evolution of BB Cream:
BB cream, also known as Blemish Balm cream, was originally formulated in the 1950s by German dermatologist, Dr. Christine Schrammek, to protect and provide natural light coverage for patients’ sensitive skin, who had just undergone laser treatments and surgery. Recently, it was introduced in South Korea and Japan and it has been named “the secret of Korean actresses” for their fair and flawless skin.

The science behind Pond’s white beauty ™ BB+fairness cream 
With the Pond’s Institute’s dual-acting sophisticated skin lightening GenWhite™ Cover Formula and SPF 30 PA++ advanced sunscreen protection, Pond’s white beauty™ BB+ fairness cream not only improves skin texture and effectively lightens skin from within but also provides Natural looking instant glow for Indian skin. Clinically proven to lighten skin tone and reduce dark spots, GenWhite™ Formula is enriched with a powerful mix of Vitamin B3, Vitamin E, Allantoin and advanced superior sunscreen protection.

• 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++  SPF 30 PA++ - Helps to protect against skin tanning and photo ageing.

SPF & PA Facts ~ Pick The Right Sunscreen For You!

Today, I want to share with you some information about SPF & PA stuff. We buy sunscreens, but are we buying the right one? I, for one, have learnt a lot from this, and I know exactly what type of sunscreen I should be buying henceforth.

Hope it will guide you too!

Information below provided by HUL India, and I'm in no way an expert on such things =)

What is SPF & PA?

What SPF is right for you?

Step 1- Choose Your Skin Type: Type III, Type IV, Type V, Type VI

I'd say I'm a Type III 

Step 2- Duration of time spent in the sun: Less than 2 hours, More than 2 hours 

For me it's less than 2 hours, on most days.

Step 3- Recommended SPF: According to the chart, I'd need SPF 30. If I spend more time in the sun, like at a beach (woohoo!), I'd have to use SPF 50.

Pond's White Beauty Daily Spot-less Lightening Cream Review

If you see a new dark spot every 2-3 weeks, like I do, every whitening/lightening cream will call out to you.

"Try me! Yes, try me! I will change your fac..... life! C'mon now, why you walking away from me??? Hey!" That's the frickin' pricey one talking (the one in white packaging). You flee from it before you succumb to it's seduction, because you know it'll never measure up to your expectations, especially if you have to shell out more than the what you'd have to for 2 MAC lipsticks for it.

You usually settle for something that will still leave room for lipsticks, like my current hope-inducing lightening day cream- Pond's White Beauty Daily Spot-less Lightening Cream. It is a brand new formula, and different from the one launched a few years back, which I did not like at all. This one claims to 'work with your skin'

A Little About It:

It works with your unique skin to inhibit the production of melanin, reducing dark spots and lightening skin from the source. The GenWhite formula is also unique because it is our first ever vanishing cream formula that is proven to be SPF20 PA++ sunscreen system. It provides protection from more than 93% of UVB rays that burn skin when directly exposed to the sun and UVA rays that your skin doesn’t feel oily and heavy with sunscreen. The GenWhite technology was formulated by selecting over 1000 whitening ingredients and contains special ingredients that are scientifically proven to work with your skin. 

Lotus Herbals Multi-Function Sunblock SPF 70 ~ A Tinted Mosturizer? A BB Cream?

Looking for a sunblock? Especially if you're living in Delhi right now, you must be, or should. Sunblock is one product I find quite hard to buy. Most times, it's either too oily or too whitish or incompatible with my foundation. Enter Lotus Herbals Multi-Function Sunblock SPF 70. It is no ordinary sunblock! It is TINTED, PRESERVATIVE-FREE, OIL-FREE, made with CARROT & AVOCADO Extracts (I hear avocado does wonders for the skin)  & has SPF 70! 

Really, I had a hallelujah moment when I first used this. If you know my skin history, you'll understand why. It is a tinted non-sticky/non-sticky high SPF sunblock-cum-moisturizer. It is perfect for my oily/blemished/hyperpigmentation-prone skin.

Claims: 

A revolutionary, preservative - free, light weight formulation containing potent herbal extracts with 10 benefits:

• High UVA & UVB Protection
• Tan Prevention
• Prevention of brown spots & pigmentation
• Skin Lightening benefits
• Anti-wrinkle benefits
• Protection from freckles, sun spots & sun burn
• Anti-ageing properties
• Health prevention - helps prevent skin cancer
• Carrot & Avocado Extracts: healing properties that soften, smoothen and nourish skin
• Preservative free - Free from harmful preservatives like parabens, which may cause health problems like breast cancer.

Lakmé Absolute White Intense Skin Cover SPF 25 Review

Have you seen the movie "The Skin I Live In"? It's weird, but well-written. Somehow Lakmé Absolute White Intense Skin Cover SPF 25 makes me think of the movie. Skin....Skin. Don't you think that word sounds weird? Rumpelstiltskin. Oh-kay it sounds even weirder now.

What it is:
This ultra light, oil-free, water based formula delivers naturally fair, breathable skin. Its weightless formulation hides pores, fine lines and uneven skin tone to leave skin peachy soft all through the day. It lasts up to 16 hours without fading and has Vitamin B3 and sun protection of SPF 25.

Available in 3 shades: 01 Ivory Fair, 03 Golden Medium, 05 Beige Honey.

I picked 03 Golden Medium. It suits me the best, but is still on the lighter side, although it adapts to my skin tone well & doesn't make me look ghastly. If your skin tone is darker than mine, the darker shade might be a better match.

Lakmé Sun Expert Cucumber & Lemongrass Fairness Sunscreen 50 PA+++ Review

About:

A high performance sunscreen that gives complete UV protection, no matter how strong the rays are. Cucumber and lemon grass extracts moisturize the skin and make it glow even more. 

SPF 50 gives 97% skin protection from UVB rays 

PA +++ keeps skin completely safe from harmful UVA rays 

For Normal To Dry Skin.

Price:

30 ml: Rs. 350/- (This one)

50 ml: Rs.250/-

New Whitening Skincare Products

I was at the supermarket yesterday, and I picked up some whitening products to repair my winter skin. My  dark spots multiply in the winters, coz I don't sweat. I can also see some of the dreadful melasma forming a map-like shape under the surface on my forehead and sides of my cheeks. Eeks!
So, I have to fight back, and this is my army :):

• Fair & Lovely Forever Glow For Ageless Fair Skin (Rs.59)~ I haven't seen this before, so it must be new. I bought the smallest one to try out. It has Vita-AHA Complex to darkness, patchiness & darkening. Claims to accelerate cell energy & slow down melanin production.

Lakmé Introduces Sun Expert Cucumber & Lemongrass Fairness Sunscreen Range

Lakmé  has come out with a a break-through innovation in sun care- Lakmé Sun Expert Cucumber & Lemongrass Fairness Sunscreen range . These dermatologist-approved products offers broad spectrum sunscreen that gives you 97% protection from harmful effects of the sun. The sunscreens range from SPF 20 to SPF 50 and PA+, PA++ and PA+++  includes specific sunscreens for dry, oily and normal skin. Lakmé has also introduced Sun Expert Fairness Body Sunscreen Lotion with SPF 24 PA ++.

Products:

Lakmé Fairness Sunscreen Cucumber & Lemon Grass After Sun Skin Lightening Gel

A light, cooling, moisturizing gel that fights harsh damage and provides total hydration, leaving skin radiant at all times. It lightens sun tan, uneven skin tone and corrects blemished skin. 

Price:

5o gm- Rs.145/-

Vaseline Lip Care Rosy Glow (Strawberry Frost) & Healthy White (Fresh Vanilla) Swatches

Newest lip care products in my stash- Vaseline Lip Care in Rosy Glow & Healthy White.

Vaseline Lip Care Rosy Glow (Strawberry Frost) is strawberry flavored and glossy like a lip gloss. It gives lips a soft pink tint. It has a mild cooling/menthol feel, hence the 'frost' to it's name, I guess. I thought it was going to plump up my lips too, but no.

Vaseline Lip Care Healthy White Lip (Fresh Vanilla) is a clear jelly-like balm that protects lips from UV & darkening. I like the pink tube. I can hardly smell the vanilla in it, but it is definitely not fragrance-free.

Both claim to give 24 hour+ moisturized lips.

Lakme Perfect Radiance Multi-Mineral Skin Lightening Compact

Lakmé presents Perfect Radiance Multi Mineral Skin Lightening Compact in extension to their Perfect Radiance range. Available in 6 Shades designed specially for Indian skin tones by Lakmé’s Make up Expert, Cory Wallia. 

• It protects you from sun darkening and damage with SPF 20*, UVA/ UVB
• Flawlessly covers all signs of darkening with the goodness of Multi-Minerals
• Vitamin B3 is a skin lightening compound that visibly lightens skin tone and helps reduce intensity of blemishes and dark spots
• Gives you a radiant pearlescent glow with Brightening Pearls

Priced at Rs.150/-

Available at all leading lifestyle stores

I saw these at Westside the other day, and they looked nice. They're affordable a Rs.150 & the packaging is so pretty. But I didn't buy it because I was kinda pissed at the SA. A story I will tell you in another post.

♥Cynthia Z

Perfect Radiance By Lakme

Lakme has come up with its very own fairness range. I tried the Perfect Radiance Foundation at a store a month ago, and almost bought it but refrained coz I wanted to check it out on the net first. Why is it that nowadays it seems blasphemous to buy a product without checking it out on the internet first?

I am already drawn to the packaging of these with all the pink! :)

About Perfect Radiance:

Known for their protective, whitening and soothing powers, it is enriched with lush extracts of White Lily and Sacred Lotus. These extracts lend a sense of purity and balance to Perfect Radiance Fairness range, helping restore your skin’s true complexion. 

Designed to give you truly fair, radiant skin, Lakmé Perfect Radiance fairness cream acts on all 6 signs of skin darkening by:

1.         Fading away dark spots and blemishes due to pigmentation

2.        Lightening Skin Colour

3.        Helping even out Skin Tone

4.       Reducing Oiliness

5.        Fading away Dullness

6.       Keeping Tanning under control

Here are all the products from this range that promises us an even and blemish-free complexion:

So, which of these are you definitely trying out?

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Reader's Request ~ Skincare Kit For Oily/Combination & Acne Prone Skin

This was requested by a very sweet reader Priyanka J, who has Oily/Combination & Acne-prone skin.

I believe a skincare routine should be simple, when it comes to problem skin. If you have acne, it's better not to confuse your skin more by switching from product to product and "irritate" it
When I get a big pimple sometimes, I feel it has a mind of its own. Like it's saying to me "Don't you let those things gang bang me, or else....=[" =D


Here are the products I'd pick (and I do use most myself) for Oily/combination & Acne Prone skin.

~ Cleansers ~

First and foremost, you have to get a cleanser that is very well suited for your skin type. A childhood friend of mine have been suffering from acne for most of her life - face and body! And the last time I saw her, there wasn't a pimple on her face and she was glowing! So, I asked her what she used. She told me that she read in a magazine that "when you have acne, it's better to use a Foam Cleanser rather than a gel-based one" (hehe...I hope she read this =D)
She then started using Pond's Flawless White Facial Foam, and it made all the difference.
Other cleansers you can use......

Cetaphil when pimples are at their peak and hurt. You gotta have one with salicylic acid like Clean & Clear cleansers for acne.

Recent Small Haul

Hey guys, I will not be updating regularly for the next 2 weeks, as I'm not keeping well and I'm gonna have a tonsils operation one of these days. 

I went to watch SATC Movie 2 and had a few minutes to kill before the movie started, so I did some shopping at Shopper's Stop, which, I must say, SUCKS! 

Lifestyle is BETTER. Because It has more cosmetics brands, and it's a more lively store, imo.

Maybelline Nail Paints

• Colorama Cremoso intenso ~ Sexy (Rs.79)
• Express Finish Base & Top Coat (Rs.175)