BEST BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Did you know SHALLOTS are just frickin' ONIONS?

Until recently, I always thought they were....like....seafood. 

I made this connection in my own head:

SHALLOTS = SHALLOW

I thought they came in a shallow shell type thingy.

Like oysters.

That's just one filler thought in my head - when I'm not thinking about beauty products & opening Myntra app again to check "What's New" & other complicated life stuff.

So, here are the BEST BEAUTY PRODUCTS I've used lately. I planned to say 2018, but it's kinda late now. I threw in 17 random products in here, although the are A LOT more which are for other posts.

1.  It's Skin Green Tea Watery Emulsion ~ At one point, I was doing everything for my skin, and yet it's somewhat dry & flaky from time to time, especially with makeup on. This was the only product that solved that problem. So, if you have super dry skin, an emulsion might be the answer.  | Price: Rs.990.

2. L'Oreal Liss Unlimited Pro Keratin Smoothing Cream ~  I've stopped using serums on my hair, because I realized they dry out my strands after a day or two. This is perfect, because it works as a leave-in conditioner & heat protectant + reduce the static on my hair these days. It also has silver shimmer for some glam. | Price: Rs.510.

3. COLORBAR Nude It Rose Clay Mask ~ I will talk about this in detail in another post. For now, I'll just say this is exactly how I imagined a pink rose mask would be like. It comes with a very nice tiny brush too. | Price: Rs.450

4. YOKO Salt Spa Scrubs ~ I got 2 of these - Yogurt Milk & Aloe Vera. Both have collagen & Vitamins, etc. I've used the Yogurt one more, and it has managed to lighten underarms + prevented allergies that I often get. If your skin is highly sensitive & prone to heat rashes & what not, try using a salt scrub....because now I believe salt does kill all bacteria (.....and eels too, did you know that?!) In India, you'll find these online & some pharmacies that stock imported stuff. | Price: Rs.250

5. Makeup Revolution Luxury Banana Powder ~ I was on the fence with this one. To be honest, that's mainly because I hadn't used the coveted Ben Nye Banana Powder yet, and I don't value dupes & copies as much. But it just kept creeping up in my makeup routine, brightening & setting everything nicely. I already got my money's worth & can't fault it. | Price: Rs.850.

6. MAYBELLINE Total Temptation Mascara (Waterproof) ~ Got this because Maybelline Falsies Mascara was out of stock, and it's just as good - albeit a little dry. I'd still pick Falsies mascara over it, but in case they've discontinued it..... | Price: Rs.525.

7. FENTY BEAUTY Match Stix Matte Skinstick Bamboo ~ The most non-cakey stick base product I've ever used. It blends so well, and the coverage is buildable, so it works likes a concealer & an all-over base. Other Fenty Beauty products posted here. | Price: 

8. FOREVER 21 Sharpener ~ This heart-shaped sharpener has 2 sharpeners - small for eye pencils & big for crayon pencils. | Price: Can't remember, maybe Rs.150

9. INNISFREE Skinny Longlongcara ~ It's a mascara with a very skinny brush, that you can use for lashes & brows. There are a few more variants of tiny mascaras like this at Innisfree, like one with a curved brush. Mascara-ing my bottom lashes is problemo no mo.

10. LAKME Kareena Kapoor Khan Absolute Eye Definer Onyx~ No need for Urban Decay eye pencils, this is THE kohl pencil to own. It is so silky & black & doesn't smudge (much) | Price: Rs.900

11. DUO Eyelash Adhesive (Dark Tone) ~ This is only for Rs.225-250, so I don't know if it's an original product or China-made. Okay, let's face it, probably China-made. I got it from a beauty store in GK M-Block Market, Delhi. I love it because it sticks my false lashes well + it doesn't hurt when I take them off.

12. Peri Pera Sugar Twinkle Liquid Shadow #002 Candy Cane  ~ Superfine glitter in a bottle. I WANT MORE! One from every brand that makes them.

13. FENTY BEAUTY Kabuki Brush ~ What sets this apart from all my past kabuki brushes is, it's stubby & dense but still fans out, which makes blending quick & effortless.

14. VASELINE Cocoa Glow Moisturising Cream ~ Body Butters are forgotten now. It's thick & creamy & whipped-dessert-like.... every time I use it, I actually say, "Mmm, yummy." | Price: Rs.230

15. MAYBELLINE Master Chrome Highlighter Molten Rose Gold ~ It's okay if I don't get to use any other highlighter in this life time. I'm super content with this one. More so than MAC Soft & Gentle MSF. | Price: Rs.550

16. COSLUXE Tap Sheer Better Concealer #02 Walnut ~ BEST HIGH COVERAGE CONCEALER. It is a matte-finish thick-ish concealer, which covers dark spots/patches & stays put amazingly well. You can just apply & tap, tap, tap. Cosluxe is a Thai brand. This concealer wasn't even expensive. I imagine the famous Tarte Shape Tape Concealer to be like this, but that's just in my head. Let me get my hands on that to prove my instinct right - one hopes.

17. VICTORIA'S SECRET Eau So Sexy Rollerball Perfume ~ Lastly, a perfume I overlooked at first because I was too in love with Bombshell. And yes, it does smell kinda sexy.

*I'm sorry, I can't remember the prices of some products.* 

 ♡

That's it for today. I might do a WORST PRODUCTS post too, but.... I don't know..... I'm working on being a kinder person this year.... hahah!

HAPPY 2019, EVERYONE! 

Speak to you EVERYDAY starting today =)

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram

Revlon Zinnia

When I was in school, I found on the last page of my Dictionary what I thought was the most beautiful word ~ “Zinnia”. 

It’s a type of flower, I learnt. 

I’d always go back to look at the word, as if I was afraid it wasn’t real & disappear, or something! Zinnia.... Zinnia.... Zinnia.... Zinnia-na. 

ZiNNiANA (pronounced: Zinni-yah-nah) was gonna be the name of my future daughter, I decided. 

Just a backstory of how I named the daughter I never had. 

Started From Molten Rose Gold Highlighter, Now We're HAUL....

Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder Light/Medium ~ Used it only once & I like it. But I think  I should have gotten the lighter shade. I might & then mix them.

Price: Rs.695

Maybelline Master Chrome Molten Rose Gold ~ Love it!

Price: Rs.550

Maybelline Color Sensational Shaping Lip Liner 105 Nude Whisper ~ For the price, I'm digging it! Definitely getting more shades.

Price: Rs.350

Revlon Summer Florals Nail Enamel 564 Zinnia (Yellow)

Revlon Summer Florals Nail Enamel 567 Morning Glory (Blue)

Revlon Summer Florals Nail Enamel 505 Enchanted  ~ FREE with the 2

Price: Rs.225, each.

Forever New Sutton Diamante & Filigree 3 Piece Rose Gold Necklace Set.

Price: Rs.1400  Rs.840 on Black Friday SALE. 

So, Rs.280 each isn't bad, no? =D

 ♥ 

Trying this thing where I write short & quick caption-like posts just like on my Instagram, before I have to do something else... and then nothing! - for everyone asking me to blog regularly here again.

HAPPY DECEMBER, everyone! =)

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram 

Hi.....

Hi, Everyone! :)

Hope you're all doing well x

It's just been a crazy few months. I've been travelling & busy with work and new projects. Last month, Ziizayne turned 4 years old, and we were in my hometown. Had planned to post this before we left, but.... well, didn't happen.

I'd say this is my favorite summer outfit of 2018 & favorite shade of blue too.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna ~ Haul

As you all know, Rihanna launched her most-awaited beauty brand last year. FENTY, as in Robyn Rihanna Fenty. If you didn't know that, it's alright, I didn't know it either. 

In Rachel Green's words, I thought she was just Rihanna.... you know, like Moses.

To be honest, the products didn't really appeal to me when I first saw them. Maybe I had just grown up a bit more, and wasn't going crazy over every new launch & getting sucked into every new hype, you know. But when I saw them at Sephora (Bangkok), I felt kind of obligated to get something, mainly because I love her music so much..... I felt I had to pick up at least 1 product. Well, one thing led to another... and this is what I ended up with!

Cute Decor Pieces ~ HOME

The Wishing Chair Pink Car Vase, Rs.350 ~ Available on their website HERE

(Wild Flowers Bouquet bought separately. Available HERE)

Forever 21 Smiling Cat Soap Dish, Rs.399 ~ Available on their website HERE

The Wishing Chair 2 Tier Jewelry Stand, Rs.600 ~ HERE but Out Of Stock

Forever 21 Faux Fur Heart Pillow, Rs.899 ~ Available HERE

This one's just a prop, but if you're interested....

Daiso Japan Princess Rose Stand Mirror ~  Got it from Bangkok 2 years ago. Found it on a website HERE

 ♥

Happy Saturday! :)

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram

Wet n Wild Pro Brush Line is GORGEOUS!

So, I dropped by a Nykaa On Trend store one day, just timepass-ing because I was waiting for my chai order at Chaayos, and saw some of these Wet n Wild brushes. I thought:

They are so gorgeous!

Rose gold, but more pastel pink.

I must have them!!!

Uff, such dirty/scratched outer packaging!

Ooh, but look at them, all shiny inside!

Okay, maybe just buy them. You'll throw away the boxes anyway.

No, search online. Tip-top, clean/brand new packaging & maybe discounts too.

Get out of the store now.

Maybe just the Highlighti.....

NO!

Don't look directly at that SA near the door.

Look at your phone, and pretend you have to rush somewhere.

I mean, why? Why can't I just browse a store for 15 mins & not buy anything???

"Yes, hello.....?", I spoke into my phone that didn't even ring & walked out of the store.

There are 10 brushes in the Wet n Wild Pro Brush Line, and I only picked 3 for now to try out the quality.... and to stare at them as much as I want.

These brushes  are cruelty-free & vegan. The bristles are synthetic, and so very soft!

Before I Turn 37......

Hey you all! Hope you're doing good. Me, I'm doing great, but I just can't deal with the fact that it's  already my birthday month again! How does time move so fast??! I haven't even finished writing my birthday wishlist from last year!

How do I feel about turning 37 in 2.5 weeks? Almost the same as when I turned 36, to be honest. I feel like it's like a filler age of the late 30's. Like I'm in the middle of a see-saw, and I'm.....umm, I can't complete that analogy articulately. That's how dull & irrelevant it feels like.

So....as you can see, I'm still in the gingham phase, and although I bought 2 other gingham clothing  items, I promise this is the last one I'll be posting here. I shall control myself & my 60's fixation.

But right now, please at least appreciate the matching earrings & shorts. 

Falling into 37 like..... 

(Ohhh! That's me in the middle of that see-saw.)

Maybelline Gigi Hadid Collection Haul

I got these last month.

I wanted to post pics of this entire collection, including the palettes, but the New U store I went to had just these that I picked up. Looking at the the lack of color in these pics now

Let's see if I can find the rest at Lifestyle.

Veet Sensitive Touch Electric Trimmer Review

You know what's the equivalent of a Fidget Spinner in my world? (Basically, what I find relaxing & calming.)

I like to sit down on my couch, inspect my hair ends, and cut the split ends with mini eyebrow scissors. The scissors would always hurt & leave red marks on my fingers during & after. Now, instead of painful scissors, I use the NEW Veet Sensitive Touch Electric Trimmer. Because it's electronic, it feels like I'm sawing my split ends. Very satisfying!

But that's not what it's meant for, really.

What it is: An Electric Trimmer specially tailored to gently trim and precisely shape your delicate body parts, such as face, bikini and underarms.

It is also Waterproof & can be used in the shower.

*This is a NEW version, another one was launched some time back.

Accessories included: 

- 2-sided Precision Adjustable Head: 16 mm & 6 mm for optimal eyebrow shaping. 

- Comb Attachment: To uniform hair to 2 different lengths - 2 mm & 4 mm.

- Horizontal Trimming Head: 20 mm. You can use this to fully trim your bikini area & underarms. 

- 2 Comb Attachments: 2 mm & 4 mm, for trimming bikini.

- Cleaning Brush: To dust off hair that gets stuck in the trimmers. 

- Beauty Pouch: To compactly store everything especially while travelling. 

- AA battery.

Puppies On Makeup!

I thought I was (kinda) over this cutesy makeup packaging phase, but I'M NOT!

Not when they go and put puppies on them!

Etude House just brought out their first LE Collection of this Year Of The Dog.....

LUCKY PUPPY

Lipstick Cases

Best Things I Bought Lately

By "best", I just mean money well spent. Because they're pretty.... and girly....

and they simply bring a sort of..... custom-made joy to my life =D

H&M Vintage Pink Faux Fur Jacket: From the kids' section, for 8-10 yrs old! ;p

One size up would've been more my size, but that was no longer available.

I was shopping with my Mom at H&M, basically I needed some jumpers for Zii. We went our separate ways at the store. I spotted these pink faux fur coats that don't look like they're for kids in one corner. My Mom found me while I was trying them on in front of a mirror at the back of the store, and she was like, "All this time I thought you were shopping for your child, but here you are. You are not only a shopaholic, you are a holic.". I tried one similar coat from the Women's section, in a Size 6, just to compare, but it didn't sit as well as this one on my petite frame + the sleeves were too long. Now I know where to go for coats from now on...hehe!

(You can have a better look at it here)

La Senza Bralette ~ I have a thing for bralettes, if you haven't noticed it yet, and I was psyched to find a pink lacy one. Most of the lacy ones I see are always black. I find bralettes without any straps and hooks more comfortable to wear under body-hugging sweaters and winter clothes (Actually, I hate bra straps altogether!) This comes with matching knickers.

Herbal Essences Ignite My Colour Dry Shampoo ~  It doesn't leave any white powdery residue & it  smells like roses + adds some volume. I found this at a chemist shop for Rs.760.

It's Skin Caviar Double Effect Serum ~ Product of the week! I was hooked from the first time I used it. Price: Rs.2300

The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: I spoke about this book in this post, and I finally got it. I've yet to finish reading the whole book, and I want to do a proper review to let you guys know if it really is life-changing. But I learnt one very useful tip: To fold your clothes vertically, so everything is laid out for you, and you don't have to dig for anything. Wait, I will come back and talk more about this in another post.

ZARA Sock-Style Over The Knee Boots ~  It's hard to find OTK boots in India, and next to impossible if your feet are tiny. When I saw some on Zara website, I ordered 2 pairs. Both Size UK 2. I posted a short video of me unboxing this pair (etc) on Instagram. In case you're not on social media, I'll attach it here.....

A post shared by Cynthia Zacharica (@czloves) on Jan 1, 2018 at 11:55pm PST

♥

Hope you're all having a good week!

Speak again soon :* :*

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram

My TOP 17 Beauty Products 2017

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Everyone! =)

It took me a while to get into blogging mode, and after having trouble trying to decide which was gonna be my 1st post of the year, I'm going with the kind I personally like to have a look at on other blogs.....

Here are my TOP 17 Beauty Products of 2017. Stuff that I'll still be using this year.....

 ~ Makeup ~

1. MAC Face and Body Foundation: Pure Love for it! If you have never found a lightweight sheer coverage foundation that somehow blurs out your spots and makes your skin look more healthy, this is it. My shade is C2.

(Price: Rs.2500)

2. Smashbox Photofinish Primer Water: You know a primer is good when your makeup is recyclable the next day *insert see-no-evil monkey emoji here*. It was the holidays & freezing cold! I didn't want to love this, because it's expensive, but when my base looks more flawless with it.... 

(Price: Rs.2900)

3. L'Oreal Infallible Silkissime Eye Liner: The only black kohl I used all year. It's very black & super soft & long-lasting.

(Price: 575)

4. L'Oreal Le Matte Lip Pen 102 She's So Matte: This was my most favorite lipstick in 2017. It's very comfortable & just that kind of wearable pinky-nude. For more photos, please go here.

(Price: 750)

5. Deborah Milano Fluid Velvet Mat Lipstick 01 Antique Rose: My most used liquid lipstick last year, more often as a base under She's So Matte up there.

(Price: Rs.850)

6. Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara: I bought 3 of these in 2017 alone, and I can say it's the best Maybelline Mascara for thin lashes.

(Price: 550)