A Change ~ No More Reviews

This is just a formal announcement that I will no longer be doing Reviews. Now before you go 'Whatthaf....!!!', please hear me out first. I will still talk about things I like and don't like, but there just won't be long reviews anymore. The Good....The Bad.....The synonym searching in my head....The bullet points..... The boring.

I will only concentrate on giving you clear pictures, swatches and of course I will jot down a few lines about the products.

I've always hated doing reviews, because there's always this pressure to be 100% right and 110% sure about what I'm saying. Every time I start to write one, I feel like I'm putting myself in a box, and I can only get out of it if I'd seen every scratch inside that box.

I take hours and hours to click and edit/re-size photos, and when I'm done, I just want to move on to other things asap, but reviews hold me back. Sometimes a review gets delayed just because I'm unsure. I don't know everything. You see REVIEW in the title, you assume the writer has ripped apart that product, and put it back together. I may have done that, but I'm too impatient to sit and talk about it in detail.

Review: The one thing I hate to do in this blog, so I'll have to let it go, with everything else I hate. I don't even read them much in other blogs. I look at the pictures, I read a few lines, and I know if I want that product or not. 

I also do not like the word 'R-e-v-i-e-w' 

Hope you can understand my decision, and don't worry, I will do posts like Best & Worst products, so that way you still get mini revie--- you know.

Btw, would you still like me to "Rate" the products? I know some of you like to see numbers, so I'm not sure if I should stop doing that too. Let me know!

Imperfect Look With Illamasqua I'MPERFECTION Collection & Swatches

Products Used:

Face ~ Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer Medium, Rimmel Stay Mate Powder 

Cheeks ~ Illamasqua Blush Duo Katie Ambition

Lips ~ Illamasqua Immodest Lipstick 

Eyes ~ Products listed in my previous EOTD post here 

♥

Now I'll show you swatches and talk about the products.....

I gotta hand it to Illamasqua for presentation. These products came to me in a cardboard box filled with cardboard noodles & polka dotted feathers. Yeah, polka dotted feathers. Faux, of course. I threw away the box, but I kept the feathers. I was going to use use them in my look up there, but I couldn't remember when I put them that day.

Illamasqua Powder Blush Duo in Katie/Ambition, £28 (Rs.2347) ~ Katie is a matte baby pink with a silky smooth texture & Ambition is a muted pink with tiny golden shimmery bits, and has more of a frosty finish. Both apply smoothly, and complement each other when worn together. I adore the sleek compact case with mirror.

Katie, Ambition

Illamasqua Blush Up Brush, £28.50 (Rs.2388) ~ This has got to be the most interesting brush I've seen lately. I knew I had to have it from the moment I laid eyes on it. It's a stiff brush but with super soft bristles. It's the perfect contouring brush because of the shape, it's perfect for under cheekbones and sides of the nose too. But boy, is it pricey! 

Illamasqua Lipstick Immodest, £16 (Rs.1341) ~  Such a gorgeous bright pink in a classy square-ish packaging  But the finish is disappointing. It's matte, but not a smooth-looking matte. It is dry, chalky and stiff, and doesn't apply well. It is fragrance-free.

The silver lining (or, pink lining?), however, is it leaves behind the most gorgeous stain I'd ever seen on my lips.....

All Illamasqua I'MPERFECTION products shown are available on www.illamasqua.com  . They ship worldwide.

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Disclosure: Products in this post were sent to me by brand for consideration. Review is based on my own experience & all opinions are my own, as always. To know more about my posting policy, please go HERE.

Come Window Shopping With Me.....

The other day, I visited the Boots here in Dundee for the first time. I was this close to buying several things, then I shocked myself- I returned them to their shelves. Sometimes I feel I deserve a medal every time I do that. Or....people standing outside the store applauding when I come out without a bag.

By "Window Shooping", I mean go to a store, browse, and not buy anything, okay? Not peek through a store window like some kind of stalker. I surreptitiously took pictures of some of the new products that interested me- surprisingly, mostly nail polishes this time....

Bourjois JE T'AIME Vintage Blush ~ These are 3 of their best-selling shades- Rose D'or 33, Cendre de Roses Brune 48 & Brun Cuivre 03. I was disappointed that they only put a sticker on top of their regular pots to make them look "vintage". I've reviewed Cendre de Roses Brune here. You can also see all the Bourjois blush shades here

*Bourjois is also launching Cream Blushes soon.

Bourjois So Laque Glossy Nail Enamel ~ I love these bright & pastel colors. I was tempted to get that taupe shade between the mint & blue. It's called Taupe Modele 05. Also, that pink shade...and yellow...and....

Playing With Baby Socks....

I got a call yesterday from my childhood friend's hubby, and he told me she's given birth to a baby boy. I was more surprised that he called me all the way from our hometown. I was so touched, and felt so happy. I cried a little... then I did what I always do when I feel like that, I went  shopping.

I headed to Primark having only one thought in mind- newborn baby socks. Oh no, I didn't just buy that one. Look.........

Hahaha! Shh, don't say anything.

You know, actually the due date was supposed to be 22nd May- my birthday! But it came early. Better. Otherwise they'd have to deal with one very c-r-a-z-y child! ;)

 CONGRATS to my friends for finally meeting the first fruit of their loins. And no, you aren't getting these socks =D

Ordered: MAC Riri Woo Lipstick (etc.)

Riri, a.k.a Rihanna collaborated with MAC to create a vivid cool red 'Limited Edition' lipstick named Riri Woo. It's a Retro Matte finish like my favorite red lipstick, Ruby Woo, which is also the inspiration behind Riri Woo.

According to E online, it sold out in 3 hours when it launched yesterday. Wow! If you want it, RUN!

I love Ruby Woo, and I used to think, "Ah, I wish there was a darker version in this retro matte finish (only)" Riri Woo looks like that version.

Free delivery over £30 (£2.45 delivery charges if under that), so I decided to get Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Style Surge (a coral shade). All shades shown here

Prices:

• MAC Riri Woo Lipstick ~  £14 (Rs.1175). It's an online exclusive. Means it won't be sold in stores.
• MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick ~  £20 (Rs.1680)

Available online at MAC UK 

Now we wait for 3-5 business days......

Video Tutorial: How I Created My Look In Cosmopolitan Magazine

Over 1 month later than promised, here it is! It went up on my Youtube Channel after 11 pm IST last night....after I waited over 3 hours for it to upload on YT. But it's okay

Pics from the magazine issue here, in case you're new here.

Why this delay? Computers are to blame for this. The laptop I edited this video on didn't work without the charger anymore (battery spoilt), so I decided to take Mr.CZ's old laptop to India, as there used to be daily power cuts in my hometown. I quickly transferred video, and happily thought I'd upload it from India after I'd seen the magazine issue. I found out in India that video couldn't be played in the other laptop...maybe coz it's Windows 8...I don't know! Then the hurried move to Scotland happened....and then the wait for broadband. The End.

Still, I apologize for the delay. 

Anyways, hope you like the video....and think my editing is a little bit better than my purana (old) videos =D

*The lighting is bad in some parts because the sun was shining in my face.

I was going to do a voiceover, but I couldn't do it right. I bought a mike attached with funky headphones and everything- like a DJ's, but then the background noise (including vibrations from the fridge) was deafening. Hoping I'll learn all the techie stuff before the next video. 

Do you know what's arrived? My birthday month! Hola! I better start looking for things to wish for & lust after... I mean material things.... I know Zayn Malik is too young for me, okay- even younger 20 days from now! ;p (Gosh, if malik of my heart and soul sees this....)

MAC Marilyn Monroe Lipstick Love Goddess Dupe?

More than 10 YESES came in when I asked you if the lipstick looked like a dupe of the other lipstick. Previous post here, in case you missed it. A lot of yeses, actually. Some even guessed the lipsticks already! Such smart readers I have...it's like I can't hide anything for long! =D

Okay! The lipsticks are MAC Love Goddess (from Marilyn Monroe Collection. Photos & Swatches here) & Lakmé Enrich Satin #356. 

I went to check out the new shades of Lakmé Enrich Satins, and from the first moment I saw Lakmé Enrich Satin 356, I thought it looked similar to MAC Love Goddess. I had to wait to compare them coz I was in Delhi, and Love Goddess was in Newcastle. When I could finally hold them together, they did not look exactly the same. Lakmé Enrich Satin #356 looked redder. But when I swatched & wore them, it's a different story. They looked almost the same. Ohhh, they're both Satin finish too- I realized this just now, as I'm writing! MAC Satin finish....Lakmé Enrich Satin .....sheesh, what a tube light I am sometimes.

MAC Love Goddess,  Lakmé Enrich Satin #356

I applied MAC Love Goddess on the right side of my lips & Lakmé Enrich Satin #356 on the left. Excuse the lopsidedness =D

After blotting with a tissue....

As you can see, Lakmé Enrich Satin #356 is a little bit darker and has more red in it. But I think they look similar enough.

Price Difference:

• MAC Love Goddess ~ Rs.1050/ I bought it for Rs.1297 from UK. It was a 'Limited Edition' lipstick.

• Lakmé Enrich Satin #356 ~ Rs.225. [Lakmé, Y U NO stick to these prices?]

DUPE METER:  I'd say 95% but it could look 99% if applied in a super copycat style.

What do you all think? Btw, did you want MAC Love Goddess and couldn't get it? Comment below with your feedback for more DUPE posts! =)

Fun Nail Trend: Match Your Nails With Your Man's T-Shirt!

First of all, it was a coincidence. The man's t-shirt matched my nail polish one day. I got so excited! I wanted it to happen again.... I'll make it happen again!

Some feminists would be like, "Why? Why should we match our nails to what a man is wearing now?!"

Uhm, because it's fun! And because it'll be the other way around. We (demand) suggest he wears a t-shirt that matches our nail polish.

I think it's cute. A subtler PDA.

What if my nail polish is pink??? There are lots of t-shirts with a lil' bit of pink graphics/writing. But if your man is not opposed to wearing pink, you're a lucky lucky lady! =D

For all you patient nail art experts, you can even copy the graphics, and put those numbers and words and hyphens and whatnot.

This was only the first time- by accident, so it's not a very good picture (which I clicked in a moving train). Wait till next time ;) 

You ladies with me on this trend?

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Review & Swatches ~ Honey, Sweetheart, Rendezvous

All words from the romance genre ~ "A Rendezvous with my Sweetheart, who is sweeter thinks I'm sweeter than Honey."

(And that is why I will never be a poet.)

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains have caused quite a stir lately, and today I'll be the one stirring- with 3 colorful ladles.

Honey 001 ~ It's a dusty pink shade that could look mlbb (my lips but better) on some people. It's the kind of lippy that goes with everything.

Sweetheart 025 ~ Fuchsia pink. There's something about this color, it looks good on everyone. I have to send one to my cousin sister because she liked it so much when she tried it. I find that the finish is a tad different from the other 2- it's smoother, and makes my lips look a lil' bit plumper.

Rendezvous 040 ~ A true orange shade. It's almost exactly the color of the orange Cadbury Gems. It's a color that always stands out. Although I don't wear it much, I know I'll miss it if I don't have it.

MAC Archie's Girls Collection In Stores Now! Products & Prices....

It's finally in India! It launched today, so RUN before everything sells out!

Below are all the products with prices:

 

BETTY INSPIRED MAKEUP

LIPSTICK (INR :1,100)
Girl Next Door Vivid blue pink (lustre)
Betty Bright Light vibrant peach (satin)
Oh, Oh, Oh Sheer brown plum (lustre)

LIPGLASS (INR 1,100)
Summer Sweetheart Light peach
Stay Sweet Light lavender pink
Kiss & Don’t Tell Bright coral

PEARLGLIDE INTENSE EYE LINER (INR: 1,100)
Lord It Up Bronze with pearl
Black Swan Black with gold pearl

OPULASH (INR :1,200)
Optimum Black Saturated intense black

PIGMENT (INR: 1,500)
Cheers My Dear Light lavender (frost)
Lucky In Love Shimmering light blue green (frost)

NAIL LACQUER (INR :1,050)
Pep Pep Pep Light peach nude
Comic Cute Bright coral

POWDER BLUSH (INR :1,600)
Cream Soda Light neutral coral (satin)

PEARLMATTE FACE POWDER (INR : 1,750)
Flatter Me Golden peach base
(Shell Pearl Beauty Powder)
with coral hearts
(Foolish Me Powder Blush)

EYE SHADOW X4 ( INR :2,800)
CARAMEL SUNDAE
Caramel Sundae Mid-tone warm tan (satin)
Cheryl Chic Light coral pink (frost)
Dreammaker Pale frosty yellow (frost)
Showstopper Dark, cool-toned brown (matte)

I'm A MAC Lipstick. Is That My Cheaper Dupe?

I hate it when people say something is a dupe, and when you go look at it...it's clearly not. So to avoid any disappointments, I'll let you decide whether this is a dupe or not.

The original is a popular MAC lipstick, and the other is an inexpensive lipstick by an Indian brand. 

I will reveal this "Possible Dupe" only if I get more than 10 Yeses. 

So....

YES or NO?

My Vanity ~ Stage 1

I finally unpacked most of my beauty products last night. This is what it looks like right now. It's clutter-free, but not for long. Those drawers are still in a mess, coz I still have to figure out what goes where. That's a nice mirror, but it's hung too high! I can't see my face, I can only see my hand when I raise it (...and wave it like I just don't care!) But it's fine, cos there's a huge full-length wardrobe mirror on the other side of the room.

What's missing?

• A candle that matches the wallpaper.
• A lipstick rack. Right now, they're all stuffed in a mini travel bag.
• Flowers. Fake ones, of course. I don't know what kind, but ivory-colored.
• A lil' accessory for the mirror Can you guess? ;)
• A basket or tray to keep knick knacks. 
• Another makeup brush holder. 
• A small vintage clock.
• One more jewelry/necklace holder.

Basically, I want the theme to be "vintage". By that, I mean I want more golds & ivories, and maybe ditch the girly pinks...well, not all of them =D

Will show pics of all the changes I make in Stage 2.

Mr.CZ will freak when he sees this post. I know exactly what he'll say- "You want to buy more stuff?! You know we won't be able to pack them all when we leave, right?! We'll have to throw them away!"

He says 'throw them away' like it's going to scare me. I get mad, and I say, "I'll throw YOU away!"

But I know I should think twice before I accumulate more stuff. Even packing from Newcastle to here was a bit of a hassle. Sigh, I wish I could turn into a camel whenever we have to move.