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

Heart Tweezers? For FREE?

You know I like me some cute unconventional beauty tools & FREE stuff. So when I got these cute heart tweezers for free with my purchase at NEW U, I was overjoyed. Very Tweezerman but with a he♥rt, I thought.

NEW U Cashier: You are getting this.... free. [Very dull man he was.]

Me: Really???! =D It's so cute! ("Nice. Isn't it cute?!", quietly to Mr. CZ) Err...you have just that one color and design? 

See? I'm a true Indian (or woman?). I feel I deserve choices with FREE stuff as well.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick Pleasure Me Red ~ Another Deep Red

Meet No.1 Selling Red Lipstick in the US- Maybelline Color Sensational in Pleasure Me Red.

Why? Because it's the one Christy Turlington wore in the ad below:

Had I paid attention, I would have joined the flock sooner. I mean, look at that! ♥_♥

Loving MAC Constructivist Paint Pot

I was confused between 2 MAC Paint Pots- Constructivist & Groundwork. I wanted something neutral but one that can still look intense if I want it to. Groundwork looked duller than I expected, and it reminded me of a dark-toned concealer.

So, Constructivist won me over.

About MAC Paint Pot:

A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners.

Constuctivist is described as a metallic brown with red pearl. I love that it can look taupe & the shimmery finish makes it look like I'm wearing at least 2 colors when I'm only wearing it alone. Doesn't crease, doesn't wear off, suits my honey-colored eyes, it's awesome.

Lotus Strawberry Shake On My Nails

I don't like to drink milk & I don't like milkshakes. But this shake, I like.

Lotus ColourDEW Nail Enamels are:

• Natural and safe
• Acetone, DBP and toluene free
• Fast drying
• Flat and sturdy brush
• Smooth application

Nail polishes really do make my nails weaker, so it's a good change to try some without the harmful ingredients.

The Body Shop Launches Chocomania ~ A Chocolate Range Fit For Valentine's Day!

With Valentine’s Day drawing nearer, thoughts of true romance are front of mind – and what better way to celebrate than with the food that has inspired countless love affairs throughout history? This February, The Body Shop is proud to launch Chocó mania, a lavish celebration of the timeless ingredient that continues to capture our hearts and our imaginations today.

For over 3,000 years, chocolate - like gold - has had universal appeal. From kings and queens, to laborers and laymen, chocolate has inspired, tempted and tantalized. Once the culinary privilege of the wealthy and famous, chocolate has worked its way into our hearts and lives. And for the chocoholics amongst us, we’ve got some news to get your blood racing: our new Chocó mania bath & body range is here.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Chocó mania is a decadent, sensuous and indulgent range guaranteed to plunge you, your skin and your senses straight into chocolate heaven. Sin free, pleasure rich and oozing with luxurious texture and fragrance, Chocó mania is irresistible.

With its rich and sumptuous texture, Queen of the Chocó mania range is Chocó mania Body Butter. “Inside every pot is an exclusive formula of 12 Community Fair Trade Ingredients from around the world making this the most lavish Body Butter from The Body Shop to date. Smooth and seductive, Chocó mania Body Butter simply melts into the skin, combating dryness with 48 hours of intensive moisturisation and releasing a heavenly chocolate fragrance that will make you smell good enough to eat.

Can’t get enough? We understand. Thankfully, there’s a whole Chocó mania range to enjoy, so you can indulge in the delicious fragrance and sumptuous textures in as many ways as possible. Now, that’s pure luxury.

• Chocó mania Body Butter – Rs.895 (200ml.) , Rs.345 (50ml.)
• Chocó mania Body Lotion –  Rs.595
• Chocó mania Shower Cream Rs.395
• Chocó  mania Body Scrub  - Rs. 895
• Chocó mania Lip Butter – Rs. 295
• Chocó mania Heart shaped Soap – Rs. 245
• Chocó mania  Bag of Hearts – Rs.595 

Indian Beauty Addicts Are Waiting For....

Below are products that aren't available in India yet. We've talked about a few we are waiting for, so let's call this the next batch. We Indian Beauty Addicts have to wait a lot. Most of the time, for such a really long time that if they were our husbands, they'd be sleeping on the couch or out on the street. Probably out on the street.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

Bourjois Eye Pearls ~ LOVE these quintets. I hope the eyeshadow quality is like the Intense Eyeshadows

Lakmé Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural Mousse Foundation: Awesome, BUT....

It kinda looks like Magic 8 Ball, no? Okay, let's pretend it is. "Will the foundation inside make my skin flawless?"

*Shakes ball* [Answer at the end of the post]

What it is:

Lakmé Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural Mousse is a feather light foundation with a mousse to powder finish. It claims to last upto 16 hours & has SPF 8.

Available in 2 shades: Ivory Fair & Beige Honey.

I got Ivory Fair , which pretty much suits my MAC NC 25 skin tone.

Makeup For A Maroon & Silver Saree

This is a reader query. She will be attending an Indian wedding & would be wearing a gorgeous maroon saree with silver embellishments.

She sent me a photo of the saree:

If I'm wearing a saree like that, I am guessing my makeup will be pretty much the same as Vanessa Hudgens' here....

Eyeshadows:

Since the saree is so bling & I'm assuming you'd be wearing some bling jewelry too, I'd want to keep my eyes matte, maybe just a little shimmery color on the center of my lids & inner corners. A simple smokey eye look will suit it well:

• A matte brown like MAC Espresso + something with a hint of plum-like MAC Sketch- on lids
• A matte black like MAC Carbon or Bourjois Intense Eyeshadow #10 on the outer V, and blend it with MAC Sketch.
• A pearly vanilla highlight color on your brow bone & inner tear duct areas.
• Black pencil liner, like Lakme Kohl Ultimate, smudged on top and bottom lash line
• Black  mascara. Maybe add some natural-looking false lashes too.

Ooh....A PINK Mascara!

How often do we see a mascara in a cute pink curvy tube that reminds us of a burlesque dancer?

Bourjois has managed to tempt me again with it's new Volume Glamour Max Definition Mascara.

That brush has 500 bristles or pins that will give voluminous & defined lashes.

WE SO WANT x 500. 

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

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.

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 ^.^

Revlon Colorstay Aqua Mineral Finishing Powder Review

Have you ever used a cooling powder that is not Dermicool? I have been using one- Revlon Revlon Colorstay Aqua Mineral Finishing Powder.  It's a cool/wet powder, which is somewhat similar to the MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder.

About:

NEW ColorStay Aqua Mineral Finishing powder is a translucent mineral finishing powder that delivers a burst of hydrating coconut water and an instant cooling sensation upon application. This revolutionary mineral finisher sets foundation and minimizes the look of pores and fine lines, leaving skin even and smooth. Specially formulated longwearing ColorStay technology provides a shine-free soft matte finish that lasts all day. Best of all, this weightless loose powder keeps skin looking healthy and flawless. 

• Instant hydration with coconut water
• Sets makeup for a shine-free finish
• Wears all day
• Soft matte formula made with water, not oil., so there’s no shine
• SPF 13
• Wear alone or with Colorstay Aqua Mineral Makeup
• Available in 4 shades: Translucent, Translucent Light, Translucent Light Medium, Translucent Medium.

Here, I am showing you Translucent Light, which is just right for my skin tone.