MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick & Comparison With Ruby Woo

If I cared about my past, I would tell you the things Rihanna & I have in common. I cared so zilch nada that I didn't realize the thing that would've stopped me from buying this lipstick in the first place. I wanted a deep red lipstick, I was constantly listen to Rihanna's song 'Pour It Up' (Pour it up, Pour it up...That's how we ball out...), I'm a sucker for Limited Editions....and I did not see clearly. 

But I don't care, so we'll just talk about RiRi Woo, a lipstick created for Rihanna. 'Riri' is her nickname.

MAC RiRi Woo ~ Vivid Cool Red shade. Retro Matte Finish. MAC's retro matte is the driest version of matte. When it comes to red lipsticks, it is my favorite kind. Intense, smudge-proof & long-lasting.

In a nutshell, RiRi Woo is a big disappointment. It's not a bad lippy, it's just not what I expected it to be. To me, it is exactly like Ruby Woo (shown properly here). I even think it is Ruby Woo only with RiRi carved into it.

Mystery GIVEAWAY! Guess What's In The Heart-Shaped Box.... (CLOSED)

There are some things in this cute heart-shaped box.

Hint: One word only.

Can you guess what?

One person out of all those who guessed correctly will WIN 1 product in that box. I will reveal it in a blog post on Monday.

• You have to be a Subscriber or follower of this blog on Bloglovin' or Facebook.

• Contest is Open Worldwide.  

• Closing Date: Monday, 20th May, 2013 at 7:00 PM IST.

Good Luck! =)

*This contest is CLOSED. 

MAC Pink Pigeon Lipstick Photos

Could you tell that I like clicking photos? Most of the time time, I click and click, and many many photos get stuck in my computer.  Like these. I've had these since the time I was in New Delhi, in March. No swatches, but hope you like the pictures.

MAC Pigeon ~ Bright cleanest pink. Matte finish.

Price ~ Rs.990

Limited Edition with MAC Strength Collection.

Pre-Birthday Haul

Since my birthday is next week, I'd gone to get my suit for that day, because I have to always wear a brand new outfit on my birthdays. It will fall on a weekday, so I doubt we'll do anything special, BUT Mr.CZ is taking me to Edinburgh that weekend. Mainly to shop, yes. Thing is, Dundee is a small town-like city, so many many things are missing. Primark is small and doesn't stock most of the stuff (like in Newcastle), Jane Norman is not here, MAC is not here (can you believe it?! I felt like fainting when I was told that.) Going to Edinburgh will be like going from Chandigarh to New Delhi, or Pune to Mumbai. One hour train ride. We'll stay there for a night.

We'll call this a warm up haul.

Bourjois Cream Blush in Nude Velvet

I've been wearing Bourjois Cream Blush in 01 Nude Velvet all week, and I'm liking the subtle peachy-ness it adds to my cheeks. Although it has to be layered a few times to show up. It's velvety smooth, blends well & lasts for more than 5 hours on me. It claims to have a 'second skin feel', but I'll just say it has a cream-to-powder finish.

Available in 3 more shades: 02 Healthy Glow, 03 Rose Tender, 04 Sweet Cherry.

Packaging is same as the Bourjois Intense Extrait Eyeshadows. Swatched here

IVC Testing Room: New Skin & Hair Care Products

Many have asked me to do a skin care routine, but that's hard for me to do, because I hardly stick to a specific routine. For months, I was using only La Roche Posay Effaclar, but I'm a commitment-phobe when it comes to cosmetics (sometimes relationships, too). Nowadays I'm googling skin and hair care products more than makeup. I want to discover new products and sample everything that's raved-about by at least 5 beauty bloggers. So every now & then I will do little posts to let you know what I'm using.

Vichy Normaderm Anti-Aging Anti-imperfection & Anti-wrinkle Resurfacing Care with Glycolic acid + LHA + Vitamin C ~ It claims to target pimples and wrinkles at the same time. Let's see *fingers crossed*

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution ~ Makeup remover for sensitive skin. It looks like water. Very excited to try this much-raved about product. I got the smallest bottle first to try, it's also available in bigger bottles.

Clean & Clear Morning Energy Skin Energising Daily Face Wash with Vitamin C & Ginseng ~ It's nice and gentle. Doesn't lather much.

VO5 Give Me Texture Tousled Style Spray ~ Spray on onto dry hair and lift, scrunch and twist. It does turn hair into a wavy beach style, but I don't like that it makes my hair feel crunchy. I've given it to the man.

Herbal Essences Bee Strong Strengthening Cream with Honey & Apricot Essences (For Damaged Hair) ~ I've used it only a couple times so far. It is like a moisturizer for my very dry hair tips... but I'm not sure if it's great.

TRESemmé Split Remedy Split Mend Intense Recovery Masque ~ Whenever I use this, the ends of my become more frizzy and a nightmare to comb through.

*I ordered Vichy & Bioderma products online from Escentuals.com, so I got that nail filer free.

If you want me to bring any particular skin & hair product into the  Testing Room , let me know. This is THE YEAR OF SKIN & HAIR! Hola!

LOTD: Not Good Enough For A Fashion Magazine....

Hey Cynthia,

Thanks for the mail but I'm afraid these pictures won't work. The two tones need to be clearly visible and the pink and nude doesn't show very well. Also, in terms of hair, these waves don't work too well, and I suggest you do the sleek back hair as on your website.I'm sorry but I guess you'll have to re shoot this. I don't intend to be negative about your effort, but I'm just trying to achieve the best look possible for the magazine. Also, would need pics for each step. Would recommend you try the two tone lips in bright colours, as on the runway. And a white background would be perfect."

This is the first two-tone lips look that I sent to Cosmopolitan for their story in March, and that's an email I got after. I'm sharing the email, because it properly - and very politely - explains why the look didn't work.

Truth is, I kinda knew it was coming, and I didn't get mad or disappointed. Before that, I really didn't know what kind of photos they needed...what to wear...what background...how to pose...the works. It was based on a Spring trend, so I decided on an outdoor background. The day I did the shoot was very gloomy in Newcastle, as you can make out from the lighting in the photos, so I could only click a few because it was freezing! Most of the pics came out too dull and blurry, and I wasn't happy with them. I think I was a little bit happy that I had to do another look. 

Mini Bourjois Haul ~ Cream Blush & So Laque Nail Polishes

It's hard to believe that I hadn't been to Superdrug since March! I went there on Saturday, and they kind of kicked me out because it was 6:00 PM, meaning: Closing Time. I was there for 10 mins, and I had to leave fast fast.

 SA: "We're closing the store now."

Me: "Oh! Okay. Can I still pay for my stuff?"

SA: "Yes, you can." 

Me: "Okay, I'm coming =)" 

What pay?! You haven't even picked the stuff yet! Hurry! We are not going home empty-handed. No, there's no time to look at eye pencils! No, don't look at Barry M! Keep your eyes on Bourjois. Ooh, cream blush! Now take 2 more products. Nail polish? Good. What else? A mascara? No, too pricey. Err...another nail polish? Hmm. I'm the only customer in the store??? Argh...help me! It's okay, you can take another nail polish. Now stop thinking and walk away. Ooh, I see new Accessorize stuff! No, get out!

• Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush in 01 Nude Velvet ~ Available in 4 other shades: 02 Healthy Glow, 03 Rose Tender, 04 Sweet Cherry. Price: £5.99 | Rs.502 

• Bourjois So Laque Nail Polishes in 04 Amande défilé (Mint) & 62 Rose imaginaire (Pink),  Price (each): £7.99 | Rs.670

*3 for 2 offer at Superdrug. I paid for only 2 products- £5.99 + £7.99 = £14 | Rs.1172.

I'll swatch the products sometime. Btw, all shops close at 6 PM here. They open till 7 PM  only on Thursdays.

Alert, Alert! Swap Your Current Mascara For A Clinique Mascara!

Don't like your current mascara? Take it to Clinique, and they'll give you one of theirs in return. No money, no fuss. Ah, I'm so jelly of you all in India right now!

About Clinique's Mascara Exchange Program: 

Swap your current mascara for a 6-week supply of allergy tested, fragrance free Clinique Mascara at select Shoppers Stop stores from 15th – 31st May, 2013.

Whether you’re feeling flirty, dramatic or naturally pretty, there is a perfect mascara for every effect you seek. And here is an offer too good for any girl to miss: Make a personal visit to a Clinique Store and select Shoppers Stop outlets** to trade your current mascara for a new, 6-week supply of allergy tested, fragrance free Clinique Mascara from 15th – 31st May 2013*. Our ophthalmologist-tested formulas have passed stringent safeguards to assure there isn’t the slightest sign of bacteria, which is great news for delicate, allergy-prone eye area skin, sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

While you’re there, make sure you also meet with one of our highly-knowledgeable and trained consultants for a personalized consultation. Let the expert build a complete eye makeup look based on the lashes you want! 

*Customers can exchange any one current mascara for one Clinique mascara. Limited time offer valid until stocks last.  

**The Mascara Exchange can be available at the following Shoppers Stop stores across the country and standalone Clinique stores located at: 

Shoppers Stop
Mumbai - Andheri, Juhu, and Inorbit Mall at Malad
Delhi – Rajouri Garden and Ambience Mall at Vasant Kunj
Bengaluru – Garuda Mall at Magrath Road
Hyderabad – GVK One Mall at Banjara Hills

Standalone Clinique Stores
Mumbai - Palladium Mall, Phoenix Mills Compound
Delhi - Select City Walk, Saket, New Delhi
Bangalore - 1MG Mall and Phoenix Market City
Chennai - Phoenix Market City
Kolkatta- Forum Mall

Heart-Shaped Makeup That Won't Be Touched

Look, look at them. Do you have the heart to ruin the hearts? I don't, therefore they shall remain untouched. Let's call them "Collector's Items"

LOTD: Rani Mukherjee's Makeup In Bombay Talkies

This is CPR for my Bollywood Series, if you still remember it.  

A reader asked me about Rani's look in Bombay Talkies. I hadn't heard about it, so I went to watch the trailer. First scene in trailer- Rani applying red lipstick. I was instantly hooked. I downloaded the movie and watched it. Truthfully, I just wanted to see that lipstick, but I was also entertained by the movie. Next day, I attempted Rani's look.

I must say this heavy kohled look does not suit me. Rani has big lids that are so ideal for eye shadows, I have almost none-lids. But it's really about the red lips.... and apparently, excessive hair handling. I really didn't mean to! =D

Budget Beauty Finds ~ Rs.300 and Under

We have a budget post after a long time! I like doing these, since majority of my readers are students, and if they're like I was, half their monthly allowance goes to canteen bread pakoras. I'd want to eat them every.single.day back then. Mmm....now I want them!

Hello, can you pout and say 'p-s-y-c-h-o-l-o-g-y' at the same time?

So here are 6 great budget products that I personally like a lot, and they all cost Rs.300 and under.

• INGLOT Eye Shadow 326 ~ A useful matte brown eye shadow. Price: Rs.300

• Colorbar Eye Shadow in Dancing Peacock ~ This is a very unique green eye shadow that I fell in love with instantly. It's in the same color family as MAC Humid eye shadow
  Price: Rs.300

• Colorbar Smokin' Eyes Smudger Brush ~ Great for smudging kohl, and applying highlight eye shadow on the inner tear duct areas. But yes, the color bleeds a little bit when washing. See more Colorbar brushes here. Price: Rs.250

• Nail Juice Nail Polish in Hibiscus ~ Swatched here. I'm just showing you the one shade I have with me, but you can check out other colors too. Price: Rs.50

• Maybelline Clear Glow BB Stick* ~ You can read about it more here. Basically, it's a foundation in stick form, evens out skin tone, and contains Salicylic Acid to control oiliness. Available in 2 shades- Fawn (dark) & radiance (light). This one is Fawn, which is too dark for me. Price: Rs.250.

• Lakmé Enrich Satin Lipstick 149 ~ A fabulous fuchsia pink lippy. I got it with the MAC Love Goddess Dupe. Price: Rs.225

Swatches: Maybelline BB Stick Fawn, Lakmé Enrich Satin Lipstick 149, Colorbar Eye Shadow 33 Dancing Peacock. Nail Juice Hibiscus swatch here. Inglot 326 is part of a palette that I'm going to show you soon.

♥ 

If you want more, you can go read another old post like this here.

Let me know if you liked this post. Do share your great budget beauty finds too, we'd all love to know.

Disclaimer: Item marked * is a press sample, but I would have bought it myself anyways especially for this post ;) 

RAVE! La Roche-Posay Effaclar

I want to RAVE about my La Roche-Posay Effaclar products before I repurchase them. Look how much of that astringent I've used up! The Duo will also be empty in a few days.

Before I started using these 2 products, I was getting pimples frequently, and I thought, 'adult acne'. It was frustrating, and you may have seen me trying my best to conceal one here. 

[Please Note: Skin care products work differently on everybody, and although these work for me, they may not work for you.]

My Skin Type: Combination, acne-prone, dry patches in some areas.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Lotion Astringent Micro-Exfoliant ~ This is a clarifying lotion. It helps to unblock and reduce the appearance of pore size, due to the combination of cleansing agents and micro-exfoliant LHA (Google LHA to learn about it, okay?) To use: dampen cotton with it, and apply gently to face, avoiding eye contour. I am telling you, this is the stuff to use if you wear foundation regularly and you want your skin to feel super clean. Face wash doesn't really clean your skin properly. It has alcohol, but it does not dry out my skin.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo ~ Described as Corrective & Unclogging Anti-Imperfection Care that reduces the appearance of imperfections and unclogs sebum-blocked pores. This is a light moisturizer, that is not at all greasy. Sometimes, for 2-3 mins after I've applied it, my face starts itching like crazy, but then it stops. Weirdly, this itching happens in UK more, and I don't remember it happening in India. Maybe it's the cold? I don't know.

*Both are Paraben-Free. Please visit the La Roche-Posay website if you need to see the ingredients list.

 

How I Use Them: [Night: Both.]  | [Morning: Just the Effaclar Duo, after I've splashed my face with only water.] 

Why They Are Awesome:

• For the first time, I got compliments (in my mother tongue) like "Your skin looks watery (meaning:dewy)" when I wasn't wearing any makeup at all!  

• Almost all the pimple scars from last year are gone.

• Now I feel okay not putting on foundation when I go out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying my skin is perfect, I still have other issues to conceal, but it looks healthier. 

• My face is baby bottom smooth now. I used to feel little invisible bumps on the sides of my face, but now they gone! And yes, they do reduce the appearance of pores.

• I started using these in February. I have had maybe 3 small/minor breakouts since then (touchwood!)

• I've ditched night creams, scrubs (I used one recently and my skin couldn't handle it, so I got 2 tiny short-lived pimples). These are the only products I've been using on my skin, apart from cleansing oil, face wash & eye cream.

• I know it's mainly because of my attire and makeup, but I want to show off that a Scottish guy thought I was 18-19 years old =D (as if!) Oh, it happened at a bar, and he he was quite drunk, haha!

Will They Suit Dry Skin? I think they would, because my dry/flaky patches are almost gone, and my skin actually feels more hydrated from within, rather then oily/combination. I'd suggest you try the astringent, because it exfoliates the rubbish that prevents the skin from glowing.

Prices:

•  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Lotion Astringent Micro-Exfoliant ~ £9.35 | Rs.776
•  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo ~ £11.05 | Rs.918

They are available in India. Check online stores for better deals.

My Rating ~ ♥♥♥♥♥♥ 6/5 

Any skin care products you're loving this much?

P.S. See? None Review wasn't so bad, was it? Although this is an exception, coz it's skin-related ;)