Maybelline Baby Lips Haul

I didn't get the Maybelline Baby Lips launched in India, because they were almost the same as the Lip Smooth Color & Care ones - the balms smelled the same & the packaging was also basically the same. The ones launched in US & UK are totally different & look more fun with those long clear caps with colorful writing.

Again, why does Maybelline do this?! Not making products the same for everyone! =[

Baby Lips in UK are available in 6 types: Intense Care (Yellow), Mint Fresh (Green), Cherry Me (Orange), Pink Punch (Pink, Peach Kiss (Purple), Hydrate (Blue)

I would have gotten Pink Punch, but didn't see on the shelf. I got Hydrate & Peach Kiss. One clear, and the other a very sheer peach. They both smell goooood!

Hydrate, Peach Kiss

Peach Kiss, Hydrate

Price ~ £2.99  |  Rs.277 (each)

From ~ Superdrug. 

Makeup Vanity Organizing ~ Before & After

How you keep the things around you reflect what's going on in your head. When you see the state of my vanity before, you'll kind of get a peek into my head. About 2 weeks ago, I realized I was wasting at least 5-8 mins of my makeup time just searching for stuff: where's that color tattoo? taupe one, not this black! where are the scissors? where's that lip crayon? the fuchsia one, not this orange! why do I keep finding the same things I don't need?! now where did that black kohl go? not this one, the other one! 

Those thoughts are usually followed by words I reserve only for scenarios like these. A variety of words in 3 languages - my mother tongue, English & Hindi. So you can imagine how m-a-d I get. The main reason for all this is because I don't have my stack of drawers like I do in India. I can't even buy some here, coz I know I won't be able to take them.

Okies, now let's take a look at the transition.....

• 1st Pic: That's how it looked last to last Friday. Yes, utter chaos. I don't know how it got that way. Hair products...Q-tips....hairband.... my shame. 
• 2nd Pic: Clear out the table.
• 3rd Pic: Clean and wipe table with a damp sponge & some cleaning liquid.
• 4th Pic: Re-arrange stuff. 

Eyeshadow Palettes in a stack on the extreme left. | Cotton buds. | Coconut Candle. | Brush Cup: Reduced to one, and I keep only the brushes that I use more often. | Face Products ~ Foundation, BB Cream, Concealers, Etc. | Highlighter & Bronzer. | Real Techniques Blush Brush & Expert Face Brush. | Most-used Blushes. | Maybelline Color Tattoos & MAC Paint Pots. | In the front are tools & necessities: eyelash curler, eyebrow scissors, tweezers, mascaras, eyeshadow primer, bronzing powder, blush (that doesn't stand like the other ones.).

Right side: Jewelry stand: TU from Sainsbury's. More pics here.  |  Perfumes: Escada Cherry In The Air, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, Marc Jacobs Oh Lola Sunsheer, Marc Jacobs Dot. | Lipsticks that I like looking at, and some that I'm currently using.

Tip to keep it organized: Put back the stuff on the same exact spot you picked them up from. Simple =)

I know in my Vanity Stage 1 post here I said I'd add some stuff here and there, but turned out I was running out of space, and decided to put the products that I use often out in the open so I don't have to search for them crazily.

I guess this is the last time you'll see this vanity table, because I'll probably not live here anymore in a couple of months. It's kind of sad, but let's hope the next one will be something I picked out & designed myself. This came with our rented apartment. You know, I wondered why the owners would place that wall mirror so high up. Then one day, I met the couple, and the wife was very tall, maybe 5'8" or 5'9". Now I understand why... hehe!

6 Disappointing Beauty Products

After hopeful & satisfying stories, I bring to you disappointing stories. Since I don't do reviews anymore, I thought I'd just put up good & bad products kind of posts. This one is about 6 products that I wasn't happy with.

***These are products that I personally did not like, and did not work for me. So, if you love them & they work great on you, don't worry & hate me. Every beauty product works differently on everybody =)

1. Garnier BB Cream (India Version) ~ I have proof (pics) that this flakes, and comes out like dead skin when layered and blended. Plus, the texture is too much like a tinted moisturizer. I use the original UK version, and I like it a lot even though it's a tad too oily. But it is soothing and I use it as a primer under foundation & powder, so it works. Garnier BB Creams are confusing, because of the different types, and the one launched in India might be a totally different concoction. I might try the Oil Free version, and see if it's similar to it.

2. MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Style Surge ~ I got this together with MAC Riri Woo, and I quite liked the finish when I tested it on my hand at the store + I found the shape of it very interesting. On my lips, it's not so interesting. The texture is buttery and slippery, so it just sits on top of my lips like it's waiting for me to wipe it off. If not for the heavy price tag (Rs.1680), I would have spared it from this list. I'll stick to the regular MAC lippies from now on.

3. Garnier Moisture Match Mattifying Fresh Cream With Green Tea Extract ~ This is super disappointing. When I apply it, I can feel the beads of silicone that take a while to disappear, like when you rub the dead skin off your lips, and somewhat like when there's lint on your moisturized skin, you know what I mean? I also find it a tad greasy. Such a shame, because I thought it was going to be different-  fresh green tea different, not silicone-packed different. I'll use it on my  legs  feet before bed.

4. Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara (Waterproof) ~ I remember liking this a lot before I started this blog, and it was one of my favorite, and best, mascaras, BUT after trying a few holy grail-good ones recently, it's deficiencies are more noticeable. The huge plastic brush just doesn't work for my thin lashes. I guess this is closure for us. It might not be so bad if you already have full plush lashes, though.

5. Carmex Lip Balm ~ The one in a jar. I realized one day that it's actually drying my lips even more! The ones in squeeze tubes are great, though.

6. L'Oreal Color Riche Le Nail Art Stickers ~ Sigh. When I wore these, I felt like I had claws. I actually scratched myself a few times. The tips bubble and don't really stick to the nail. Maybe there's a better way to stick 'em, but it's like too much work! I'll stick to nail polishes and save time (30-45 mins the first time!) and money. I have not worn the ones shown here, but I wore another set (black with gold bits)  here.

****

That's all for today. You all enjoy your Friday night! Me, no special plans, except watch Game Of Thrones & movies. I hope I find at least one good horror movie to watch. It's hard, because I've watched all of them, and the ones I really really want to watch have not been released yet! =D

 Any disappointing beauty products you encountered recently? Warn me, okay?

The Dress That Came Back To Me..... [A Story Of Hope]

This is not just a shopping story. It's a story of hope.

Last December, on Boxing Day (26th Dec), I saw this Butterfly Skater High Low Dress in Jane Norman, adored it, but Size 6 wasn't available. I went home and checked online, but nada. I wrote about it here, and was quite upset about it.

Since there's no Jane Norman store her in Dundee, I've sort of stopped browsing their website regularly. On the 23rd, a few days ago, Jane Norman posted in Facebook about their new revamped website. I went, instantly clicked on the SALE tab as usual, browsed, and saw this dress, again! Size 6 was available! I couldn't believe it! I added to cart immediately along with another black lace dress that was also on sale. But I removed the lace dress, because it didn't beat my River Island Lace Dress. Umm...nope, no regrets.

As I waited for the butterfly dress to be delivered, I felt unsure, anxious and paranoid. Maybe it's a technical/website mistake...maybe it's not really a Size 6...maybe it's a defective piece...maybe they mail back and say it's out of stock and they'll refund my money... maybe I only dreamt about my purchase and it didn't really happen, let me go check my email again...maybe... aargh! Seriously, yesterday I actually had a headache and felt a little feverish, and I took a Crocin.

It reached me finally, and it's perfect! It's just a little immodestly low, but it can be taken in at the shoulders. Other than that, it fits perfectly, and the high-low ratio is also perfect for my petite frame. 

Look at the pink tissue paper with hearts! ♥

The gold belt has no holes, so it can be adjusted freely

Price ~ £12 + £3.99 (shipping) = £14.79 (they also gave some discount on the total) | Rs.1346. [Original price was £40 | Rs.3642.]

I LOVE JANE NORMAN! ♥

Oh! I also found a cropped denim jacket that I'd been longing for. In the movie Safe Haven, Cobie Smulders (Robin from HIMYM) wore this jacket.....

I love everything about it. You don't see quarter sleeves on cropped denim jackets very often. I saw it on Jane Norman that same day.....

.... and I would've pounced, but it was only available in a Size 18. Next day, I checked again (why am I like this??!!), and that was also gone! I am still kicking myself that I didn't see it sooner! Sigh, it would have looked fab over this dress too, no?

Maybe someday.....Okay, I won't jinx it. But ya, if you see a denim jacket egg-jackly like that anywhere, please holler at me! 

[Yes, the print & fabric is the same as that top I wore here.]

♥

Moral Of This Story: If you want it bad enough, it will come to you. Most times, when you least expect it.

If you need more proof, go read my story from 2010- 'The Zara Dress That Waited For Me' here.

So, what do YOU want very badly right now? =)

LOTD/OOTD: Coral, Coral, Coral....

It was only meant to be a post about a coral lipstick, then one thing led to another. Next thing I knew, I was clicking selfies all over the house. We'll blame the shoes, coz it was the very first time I wore them! =)

Face ~ MAC Prep+Prime Fine Filler, Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, Maybelline Drem Lumi Touch Concealer under eyes, The Body Shop Loose Powder & Honey Bronzing Powder.

Cheeks ~ Topshop Neon Rose Cream Blush. Swatched here.

Eyes ~ Maybelline Color Tattoo On And On Bronze, Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, , Lakmé Kohl Ultimate, Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Brush Mascara, False Lashes. 

Lips ~ Maybelline color Sensational Vivids in Shocking Coral #910. Pics here. These lippies are really vivid, I've swatched another shade Hot Plum here

 

(Please excuse the blurriness & powder bits on the mirror =) )

Those shoes at the back! Casual & most-worn ones stay in the hallway.

I asked in people to guess which color I'm wearing on IVC Facebook Page, and so many guessed Coral! Kudos =)

♥

I hope this post answers a recent, rather amusing, comment.....

Don't worry, even when prego, I will still do outfit posts, haha! =D (I will waddle in a sundress and a floppy sun hat, with a lollipop in my hand.)

Coral Peplum Sequin Dress ~ Jane Norman. |  Sorbet Shoes: Primark. Shown here. | Bow Earrings ~ Forever 21. Shown here

J'Adore.... Oh, Lola! New Perfume & Parisian Cushion

Bonjour! J'Adore ze Oh,Lola! Oui, ze Marc Jacobs. Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir.

That's how I French it up when I'm alone. Oui! I look at myself in the mirror, and feel like a pro.

Anyways, 2 pretty things I'm j'adoring right now in one post..... 

Marc Jacobs Oh, Lola! Sunsheer EDP(Limited Edition) ~ I went to check out Vera Wang Lovestruck, but ended up falling in love with this instead. The hard plastic deep berry flowers on Lovestruck put me off it. I don't know, they just looked tacky and un-Vera Wang-like. Oh,Lola! Sunsheer smells like raspberries, pears & vanilla- LOVE! Both bottle & scent are totally my type.  Price: £37.60 | Rs.3450 for 50ml from Escentual. 

Primark J'Adore Cushion ~  How pretty is this cushion?! I had to get it! Bed sheets & duvet covers are also available in that print, and I will go get them even though I have no idea how I'll pack them when I leave Scotland! But I must have them. Yes, mine!  Price: £4 | Rs.367. 

Have a good week! ♥

 

Haul: New Cleansing Oil, New Concealer, Etc.

Apologies for the after-midnight post to readers in India. I was cleaning the whole day today. Okay, mainly my makeup area and bathroom. It's special cleaning, because sometime next week somebody is coming to our apartment "For Inspection", so we want to make a good impression... hehe! 

I went to Superdrug to get only a replacement cleansing oil, but of course the inevitable happened.....

• L'Oreal Skin Perfection Cleansing Oil ~ My holygrail makeup remover, MAC Cleansing Cleanse Off Oil,  is finishing, so I decided I'd try this less expensive one. It has mineral oil, which MAC doesn't have, btw. Price: £5.32 | Rs.483 from Superdrug.[MAC Cleanse Off Oil Costs £19  | Rs.1724. Sigh]

• Bio Oil ~  I've been using my old one quite religiously, so only a few drops are. For those who have not heard of this famous oil, it's for stretch marks, scars, etc. Yes, it works! Price: £8.99  | Rs.815 for 60ml from Boots.

• Maybelline The Eraser Concealer in Nude ~ If you've been going through my wishlists, you'd know this used to be on one of them. It's an interesting concept with a spongy applicator tip that claims to erase dark circles & wrinkles. It's available in 2 shades- Light & Nude. Price: £7.99  | Rs.725 from Boots.

• Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Liner in Hollywood Red ~ Just a deep cool-toned red lip liner. Price: £3.99 | Rs.362 from Superdrug.

I will let you know how I find them in sometime. They will probably be mentioned in a monthly favorites posts. 

♥

Enjoy your weekend, all. It's so hot here in Scotland these days, it feels like Delhi's fall/spring season. Actually, it feels quite like Shillong (my hometown- Scotland Of The East)

Okay, now I'll go fry some mushrooms & eat lots. I know I've gained weight.... and.... AND....my shoes are fitting better! I guess I gotta eat my way to better shoes! =)

Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick Photos & Swatches ~ Rose xoxo, 123 Soliel, Famous Fuchsia

ULTRA SHINE, RADIANT COLOUR AND THE COMFORT OF A BALM.

A new generation formula that brings shine, colour and comfort to your lips.An ultra-shine result, thanks to a new  ¼ gloss extract for amazing shine-wrapped colour. The new sensuous formula gives ultimate comfort. Enriched with nourishing mango butter extracts, Shine Edition leaves lips moisturised for up to 10 hrs**.Its rich and melting formula provides cushion comfort and makes application addictive!And the icing on the cake…It’s shiny, coloured packaging makes Shine Edition lipstick a true fashion accessory!

These lipsticks do live up to all most of those claims. The formula really is as comfortable as a lip balm. It's like a lip tint topped up with a moisturizing lip balm. The finish is quite similar to the Revlon Just Kissable Bitten Balm Stains  and are are almost fragrance-free. I mean, there is a very faint  fruity scent (I think), like the Bourjois Color Boost Lip Crayons.

• Rose xoxo 24 ~ This is a rose pink shade with silver shimmer

• 1,2,3 Soleil 20 ~ Coral. It's so gorgeous!

• Famous Fuchsia 22 ~ Fuchsia.

 How weird that I got shades 20, 22, 24? Really, I didn't realize and I wasn't thinking "Even Numbers" =) 

Swatches ~ 24 Rose xoxo, 20 1,2,3 Soleil, 22 Famous Fuchsia

Price ~ £7.99  |  Rs.724 (each). 3 for 2 offer at Boots, so I paid for only 2.

My Rating ~ ♥♥♥♥♥ 5/5

These lipsticks really have the whole package. LOVE! 

I really want a shade called 'Oh My Doll' in minty green packaging, but I haven't seen it anywhere here...maybe it's not available in the UK?

Do tell me which shade you like the most out of these 3. It's important! ;) 

Life With & Without Face Powders ~ A Guide

How I Fell In Love With Powder:
I had this flatmate/friend in college. She had a dusky skin tone, and her skin was flawless! Smooth and spotless, albeit major dark circles around her eyes. She loved taking care of her skin. Even before brushing her teeth in the morning, she would make a paste of besan (gramflour) and grounded nuts to wash & exfoliate her face with. I'd never have the energy for such things that early. Her mom would send her these containers of powdered nuts mixed with other powdered stuff specially made for her skin. Read between the lines here. So this girl used to put on a Lakmé Compact Powder when she went out - the puraana (old) one that came in a green packaging - and her skin would look even more flawless! I could stare at her skin for hours. I was a simple eyeliner & lipstick gal then, and that's when I decided to try out powders.

And.... a perpetual habit was born.

I've never talked about powders before, so I thought I'd do it today. Below are some of the powders I have with me right now, and I'll just talk through them and let you know my favorite and the not-so-favorite kinds, for your reference:

Loose Powders:

• Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ~ If you feel this powder, you'll fall in love instantly. It will haunt you, until you go back to the store to buy it. That's what happened to me in Kuala Lumpur. It makes skin feel like silk. It's white because it's meant to suit all skin tones. The reason why I don't use it much is because if you use too much, it'll definitely show patches of white, especially in photos. Let's not forget it's rumored to have caused a lot of makeup mishaps for many celebs

• NARS Loose Powder in Beach ~ It's a nice setting powder, but I wouldn't buy it again.

• The Body Shop Loose Face Powder in 01 ~ This is my 2nd container, so you can imagine how much I like it. I always seem to go back to it.

• I couldn't find my Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (pics here), which is a pretty good handbag compact

• Also, MAC Blot Powder (pics here), which I'd somewhat forgotten I have until now, this moment! =\

Compact Powders:

• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Sandstorm 004 ~ It's a nice inexpensive drugstore compact, but it's not as silky as I'd like it to be.

• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Medium ~ I like this one when I'm not wearing foundation, and I want a little bit of coverage.

• Lakmé Perfect Radiance Intense Whitening Compact in Ivory Fair 01 ~ This is too yellow for my skin tone. It's also heavier than most of the compacts I've used. I was quite disappointed with it.

• Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Powder ~ This was from a Limited Edition collection. It's my current handbag compact powder. Just a translucent compact powder. More pics and swatch here

Compact 'Vs' Loose Powders ~ I personally prefer Loose Powders, because they feel lighter and look more natural over foundation. I only use compacts for touch-ups, when I'm out.

THE BEST Loose Powder I've Ever Used: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder. It costs around Rs.2600, and I get why it's won most beauty awards. It contains the finest French cashmere talc, hence very smooth and lightweight. A mini version came with the Undercover Pot that I have, and I've already used up the powder before the duo concealers. It's been on my wishlist for years.

Best Way To Apply Face Powders: I prefer using a fluffy powder brush when using both loose & compact powders, because I only want a thin veil to set my foundation. When I use a powder puff, I dust off excess with a brush- preferably a soft synthetic one, like the Too Faced Powder Pouf Brush.

Picking Powder Shades: My skin has a golden undertone, so I like using powders with some yellow in them, and I avoid pinkish-looking ones. I usually go for 'Translucent' (transparent) or natural beige shades. If you have a neutral skin tone, pick beige shades. You could always mix 2 powders, if you can't find the right match. Kryolan makes a yellow loose powder that suits most skin tones, and can be mixed with beige & tan powders.

Life Without Powders: One weekend at the in-laws, I noticed that I didn't pack my The Body Shop Loose Powder + I'd also switched handbags and left my makeup pouch where my compact was at home. I felt a very withdrawal symptom kind of feeling. Clean & Clear Oil Blotting Sheets to the rescue, thankfully.

If you don't want to wear foundation, but want your skin to look radiant and fresh, try powders and see the difference!

Hope you found this post helpful. Would love to know which powders you love.