What's In My Makeup Bag?

If shoes say a lot about a man, then a makeup bag says a lot about a girl, I think. Even if you don't own a very nice looking handbag, a cute little makeup bag can make you feel so much better. It's the heart of a woman's handbag. It has to be pretty. An ugly-looking makeup bag negates the best or expensive makeup products in it. 

This is my makeup bag right now and it's the best one I've ever had (I've had some not-so-pretty ones in the past.)

I adore it! I love the floral design and color combination . Respect to the person who designed/made it. I bought it from that place I went to last year and the year before that (I'm tired of saying it =D) for no more than Rs.400, I think.

There were many so many designs and colors, it was really difficult to decide which one to buy. wish I had bought 1 or 2 more.

Lotus WhiteGlow Serum & Micro-emulsion Review

I know there's been too many skin whitening product reviews over here lately, but I promise this is the last one for a long long time. Some people want to know what I think about these products, so I just want to get it over with and do one final 2-in-1 review.

I'm reviewing them together so it'll be easier to compare them, because I've used them together and then separately, and I've concluded that only one of them is a winner and worth buying again.

Lotus White Glow Intensive Skin Whitening Serum

What it is:

Enriched with Grape, Mulberry, Saxifraga extracts and Milk enzymes that are known fairness agents A proprietary formula that distributes via an advanced delivery system It visibly refines large pores, eliminates blackheads and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The result, you have radiant, youthful looking skin. Contains no harmful chemicals.

How to use:

Use morning and evening all over face and neck after cleansing.

Lust List: Sleek Makeup Avoir la Pêche Collection

Now that is what I call Peach (Pêche?) Heaven. 

I WANT WANT WANT these so badly I feel like stamping my foot and throw a tantrum. Wait, actually I already did that. Ask my laptop.

They look so fabulous & yummy, and I can't get over the fact that they're inexpensive yet inaccessible to me.

Paraguaya i-Divine Palette $10.00

Update on the Riddle Contest

Hey girls,

Just a quick update. I'm sorry if I wasn't very clear on what type of answer I was looking for before.

The answer shouldn't just be "lipstick" or "blush" or "eyeshadow"

You have to name the product. For eg: "Mac (or any other brand) Lipstick" or "Nyx (or any other brand) blush"

Those of you who misunderstood can send your answers again HERE


If you have any questions or doubts regarding that Riddle Contest, please comment here.

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Solve A Riddle & Win A MAC Lipstick :)

Hello lovely readers,

Hope you're doing well. You all have been so wonderful and so supportive, some of you from the very first month I started blogging, and I couldn't thank you enough for just dropping by everyday. It's nice to know that I'm not here alone, talking to myself =D. I want to show my gratitude by giving one of you a small gift. I wanted to do this last Christmas, and then Valentine's Day...but couldn't think of a simple but interesting way to do it, until now.

I've hosted many Giveaways before, but this is different, coz there won't be too many rules. You just have to rack your brains a little bit.

Okay, now let's have some F-U-N!!!

Contest is open internationally & to ALL readers of IVC (silent ones too *wink*)

Contest will end next Friday- 1st April,'11 at 11:59 PM IST, after which comments for this post will be disabled.

Only one Rule: You just have to be a follower of this blog before participating, because this contest is my way of thanking readers.

One reader is allowed to submit ONE comment only. Please answer only in ONE comment. You won't be able to delete a comment coz it will reach me immediately.

*Answers/comments will not be published till the contest ends, to prevent cheating & copycatting hehe. Fair enough, right? I will publish them when the contest ends & will announce the winner the next day. If there's more than 1 right answer, then I will have to pick one winner randomly. If no one answers correctly, well...I will get very mad, coz you don't know me and my blog at all! =D

Prize ~ 1 MAC Lipstick (from the permanent line) of winner's choice. 

All you have to do is solve this riddle:

"Rubies & pearls adorn me,
Oh, how I love my reflection,
There's me, there's me....there's me!
Clickety click...here I go,
Hope you're ready for the show."

Yes, that's a make-up product talking. Clearly a narcissist lol. I have mentioned the product in this blog before an it's one of my favorites. Name the product. The one who guesses right wins the prize. Simple.

***IMP ~ Just so I don't publish the comments for this contest by mistake, please write:

RIDDLE: The name of the product is ______ 
(followed by your email address)

If you WANT to win, think at least 3 times before posting your comment and psst...look for subtle hints.

Good luck all! I hope you'll have fun & enjoy this little contest :)


UPDATE: Sorry if I didn't make it clear before, but you can't just say "blush", "lipstick" or "eyeshadow". You have to say exactly what it is. For eg: "MAC (or any other brand) Lipstick" or "Nyx (or any other brand) Blush"

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Lotus WhiteGlow Oatmeal & Yogurt Skin Whitening Scrub Review

Claims:

Lotus WhiteGlow Oatmeal & Yogurt Skin Whitening Scrub exfoliates the skin gently, removes dirt, impurities, blackheads and whiteheads leaving your skin brighter and healthier with a shining glow. The gentle exfoliating action works on skin discoloration, dull and uneven skin tones and softens the skin giving you a firmer texture.

Oatmeal exfoliates gently, restores the natural moisture balance of the skin and yogurt moisturizes and lightens the skin reducing imperfections giving you silky, smooth and brighter skin.

For all skin types.

How to use:

Gently apply the scrub on moistened skin with brisk circular movements on your face and neck, Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Use twice a week.

Neutrogena Fine Fairness Serum ~ Does It Work?

Claims:

This  light-weight, easy-to-absorb intensive treatment can visibly lighten skin tone as it refines skin texture.

Contains Neutrogena HealthyWhite Complex that helps inhibit melanin production and high purity retinol to enhance cell regeneration, stimulate collagen and refine skin. Anti-oxidants to help neutralize effects of free radical damage and help prevent melanin production. Clinically proven to improve skin tone and clarity, see visible results in just 4 weeks. 

How to use:

Use 1-2 times a day after cleansing. Lightly massage in to boost penetration.

Disappointing Beauty Products

I do favorite posts and haul posts and influence you to spend money. Bad... bad girl! I love comments like"Reading this blog is not good for my wallet",  and I can totally understand how you feel because I feel like that every single day when I see new things in other blogs and websites. 

So, I'm hoping posts like this one will help you save some money.

Here are 3 of the most disappointing beauty products I used recently:

1. Face Facial Cleansing Buffer: For face? Really?! It's so rough and scratchy I regret using it on my face even once. They should rename it Foot Cleansing Buffer or Hairy Back Cleansing Buffer.

New U Haul + FREE Gifts!

I love New U! I want it to get bigger & better, like Watsons, my favorite drugstore. I was shopping there yesterday, and realized that I'm a big fan of QVS. The brand has such cool beauty tools- makeup brushes, sponges and whatnot. I want them all! Especially the sponges, I don't know why!

Here's the stuff I got:

• Audrey's Wedge Sponges 24 pcs (Rs.95) ~ LOVE! I needed more sponges
• QVS 2 Facial Cleansing Facial Sponges (Rs.165) ~ I needed (yes, needed) a soft facial sponge to cleanse & scrub my face. Sometimes I need a softer tool than my Body Shop Facial Buffer.

Welcome Summer LOTD

No, actually summer is not welcome at all! But there's nothing we can do about it?!  It got so stuffy suddenly that everybody is feeling ill. Rain is expected one of these days, so let's keep our fingers crossed. Maybe spring will come again and 'stay just a little bit longer' ♪ ♫

Okay, on to the lotd...Bright colors for the eyes are very in right now- green, red, coral, yellow...etc. I decided to go with green, coz out of all the bright colors, it flatters my brown-hazel eyes the most, and this green from my Nyx palette is my favorite.

Best Cotton Pads For Skin

I found (or more like my hubby found) these German-made Pads+Microfaser, and I'm having so much fun using them. I love things that are different and have a unique quality, and these cotton pads are that!

Textured on one side. So cute! 

The other side is normal and linty, so I'd rather use it for nail polish remover (maybe)

The Fantasy Collection By Gauri & Nainika At LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK 2011

THE FANTASY COLLECTION BY GAURI AND NAINIKA PRESENTED BY LAKMÉ AT THE GRAND FINALE OF THE LAKMÉ FASHION WEEK SUMMER/RESORT 2011 SEASON 

WAS A SENSATIONAL END TO THE EVENT 

March 15, 2011, Mumbai: It was the most eagerly awaited event which ended the vibrant and busy Lakmé Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011 season. The Grand Finale show featuring designers Gauri and Nainika renowned for their stunning creations was presented by Lakmé at a starry elegant extravagant evening.

The Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel was turned into a veritable Fantasyland as it came alive with butterflies and birds cutouts suspended from the ceiling. The backdrop of trees and snaking vines around the arched entry of the ramp along with the throbbing strobe lights set the scene for the fantastic show.

To the strains of the ABBA classic “I have a Dream”, Amrit Maghera descended from the ceiling reclining on a sliver of a new moon to open the opulent fashion presentation.

Gauri and Nainika the designing duo known for their glamorous Red Carpet collections dazzled the audience with 31 creations inspired by the colour cosmetic line Fantasy by Lakmé.

With stunning eye-catching creations and selection of elegant fabrics, colours, construction and silhouettes, the creative pair showed a breathtaking line of gorgeous evening wear with form fitting bodices that reflected the many moods of a woman. Unbelievable metres of diaphanous tulle, silk and French lace moulded with horse hair and can-can gave the outfits a surreal look. 

Pomegranate Antioxidant Essence By Pure Beauty

This is something I have been using since last September, and I thought it's about time I tell you how much I love it (and most pomegranate skincare products, in general.)

Pomegranates are natural antioxidants. If you don't like to drink green tea, like me (yuck!), it's nice to have an alternative. Pomegranate seed oil has amazing anti-aging properties, and is known as an 'elixir of youth'.

What this Essence promises ~ Formulated with a natural herbal complex made from mulberry root, rice, green tea and pomegranate oil extracts, it allows every skin cell to experience the renewing power of nature, stimulates skin restoration and cell turnover effects. Day after day, it detoxifies and prevents signs of aging, so your skin radiates youthful vitality.

What is Essence? Basically, a serum. Asians prefer to call Serums - Essence.

Usage ~ Massage onto entire face and neck after cleansing. Use day & night.