Olay Creme Ribbons Body Wash (Rs.179.00)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you slather yummy ice-cream on your body? Well, now there's an alternative to that without tempting the flies. Olay Body Wash Plus feels so creamy and smells so good it can be a non-fattening substitute for the sweet tooths who want to shed the extra kilos.
'Helps you move moisture where you need it' is the tag line which is true because its creamy texture really moisturizes the skin. There are different types like Creme Ribbons with almond oil (pink), Lotion Ribbons with aloe extract (aqua), Body Butter Ribbons(purple), Spa Exfoliating Ribbons(blue), Tone Enriching Ribbons(gold.) I'm using the first two at the moment and they're both great.
If you have very dry skin or you're just one of those who care less about applying lotion after bathing or are always in a rush, this is the body wash for you.



♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

FACE CLEANSING BASICS

• Choose a cleanser that suits your skin type the most. Dry, Oily, combination, sensitive, acne-prone,  whitening, you take your pick. It's good to alternate between two types of cleansers, one for morning and the other for evening.
• Wash in upwards and circular motions. Thorough cleansing takes about a minute. Rinse with lukewarm water and finish off with cold water. Splash water onto face but wipe it from the chin upwards instead of the other way around like we most often tend to do ( let's leave that to gravity.) Just be careful not to get water inside your nose.
• Never use the same towel you use to wipe the rest of your body and hair to wipe your face. Keep a separate towel only for your face. Well, it just makes sense.
• Pat your face dry, don't rub, especially around the eyes. Pat it completely dry only if you are going to apply toner or moisturizer immediately, otherwise it is better if you leave face a little wet till the time you apply your moisturizer.
• Toner or no toner? This depends on your skin type. Some people think it is a totally unnecessary product and some don't go a day without including it in their skincare regimen. Those with very oily and acne-prone skin rave about how toner helps prevent breakouts and some don't even know what it is (In this case, ignorance really is bliss.) Rosewater is a mild toner without alcohol and an easy option if you just want to hydrate your skin when it feels tight after cleansing.
• Moisturize. Again, apply in upward strokes, including your neck.

AMAZING OILS

Johnson's Baby Oil has been an adult beauty staple for ages. We love to use it after shaving and waxing when the skin is very sensitive and also when we just need that extra shine on the legs when in those hot minis. Always keep this handy because babies are not the only ones who need gentle care.

The Body Shop Spa Wisdom Monoi Miracle Oil is worth a try even though "Miracle" is overstating it a little bit. Made with Tahitian gardenia flowers and coconut oil, it can be used on hair, body and also as a bath oil.

Parachute 100% Pure Coconut Oil can be used on the body and hair. It is also recommended by dermatologists for extra dry flaky skin. For rough feet and cracked heels, apply before going to bed and wear cotton socks.

Vaseline Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil - This is not available in India yet, but I've read some good reviews about it and now I desperately want to try it. Let's hope it arrives before winter. The information below is from the Vaseline USA website:

When skin is healthy, light reflects off the rich color below the surface, giving it an amazing, natural glow. But daily showers strip natural, protecting oils from skin allowing essential moisture to evaporate.

Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil, used after bathing, replenishes skin and locks in moisture for naturally radiant skin.

Key Ingredients

Brazilian nut oil - rich in essential nutrients known to boost skin's moisture barrier

Almond oil - naturally high in minerals and known antioxidants

MAC DSQUARED2 COLLECTION

MAC DSQUARED2 COLLECTION will be launched this fall. I won't mind having some of the products, but the packaging is kinda 'Blah!' for my taste. I mean a collaboration with a high-end fashion label does brings about high expectations, but these just look like usual MAC packaging with 'DSQUARED2' written blandly on them (which will probably come off with daily handling and sweaty fingers.)
Will skip on this collection and wait for the next one, hoping for some prettiness :)

MAC PREP+PRIME TRANSPARENT FINISHING POWDER

Everyone should have this powder, including guys (ok, 'some' guys) :) and even the make-up virgins, if only to reduce the sweaty shine and dullness.

It has replaced all my compacts. One universal shade suits all skin tones, so you don't have to go through the 'I hope I got the right shade' worries. It cuts down the oiliness and reduces your pores. Don't get scared by the 'white' because once you apply it, it's a match made in beauty heaven :)

With this, your makeup won't look piled-on, even after foundation and concealer. It's a hassle-free and no-fuss product which is hard to find fault with.

*Tip: Once you peel off the sticker covering the holes, too much of the powder comes out and can easily fly everywhere. I suggest you peel the sticker, cut it in half and then stick it back on to cover   half of the holes. This way it's easier to get only as much powder as you need on your brush.


Price~ Rs.1250.

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick ~ Lickable

Got the MAC 'Lickable' lipstick recently and I'm quite happy about it in spite of the fact that I wanted 'Girl About Town' in the first place but it wasn't available at the time.
The two shades are very similar except that GAT has more of a blue tone and Lickable is more reddish, in my opinion. I'd say I like the cremesheen finish more than the amplified because the former gives a smoother finish unlike the amplified which moves around when you lock your lips.
What's amazing is it stays within the lip line even without a lip liner. Absolutely loving it!!!

It is also very pigmented so if you don't want it to look to loud, apply it with a lip brush.

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

BEST OF LAKME

Strawberry Creme

Aquashine Lip Color

Bridal Sutra Collection

True Wear Nail Colour

Super Defense Skincare Range

Peach Milk Moisturiser

Nail Colour Remover with Vitamin E

Sun expert ultra matte mini with SPF20

Skin Balancing Toner

Dabur Gulabari Face Freshener (Rs.65)

HANDBAG ESSENTIAL

This is a refreshing mist that also cleanses and moisturizes the face. Basically, rose water in a spray bottle. It comes in a 100ml bottle which fits right in your handbag, perfect in this hot and humid climate. Also a good perk-me-up in the mornings and when you're trying hard not to snooze at work.

THE SAVIOUR- Brihans Green Leaf Gel

 I can't rave enough about Green Leaf Gel (aloe vera gel) by Brihans. There are other brands in the market, but I found that this is the best one I've used so far. Used on burns, cuts, rashes, pimples, insect bites, swelling, redness, sun burn, minor wounds etc.

Soothes skin after shaving, waxing and tweezing. First aid for earring hole infection, diaper rash (which even women get from sanitary pads), shoe cuts and blisters, eczema, acne,and the list goes on...

I also like to apply this on the soles of my feet after walking in heels all day.

Best used out of the fridge, in my opinion (even in winters.)

Look Out For....

It's frustrating how long, we, in India, have to wait to get our hands on new products, but what can we do about it but WAIT. Or, you can keep calling the stores to ask if they've arrived. What? I don't do that =)

Anyways, below are some must-have products that are almost definitely going to be available in our country, hopefully very soon.

Max Factor Vivid Impact lipcolor

Bourjois Effet Faux Ongles Nail Laquer

L'oreal Extra Volume Collagene Mascara

Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara

Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoos n Conditioners

Rouge G De Guerlain Lipstick

PARIS IN YOUR HANDBAG

This is a high-design lipstick by Guerlain, and I just can't stop thinking about it! The chic Parisian case was specially designed by Lorenz Baumer, a talented jeweller from Paris. The lipstick is made with ruby-powder, which makes it sound more amazing. It's available in 25 shades and each shade name starts with 'G' (Gina, Gisele, Greta etc.) ) I'm still finding out if it's available here. It's definitely going to be one of my 'collectible items' as it looks too fabulous to be fiddled with too much.

It's priced at $45, so ladies start saving up if you've fallen in love with it.

Mascaras

My top 3

1. Bourjois Volume Clubbing Ultra Black Mascara(Rs.450) - This is, by far, the best mascara I've ever used. If you want volume without the clumps, worry about smudges, and have sensitive watery eyes, especially when you're out partying all night, then this is THE ONE. The brush is quite big, so it'll take some practice to manoeuvre with it.

2. Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara(Rs.610) - This mascara really gives the said "false lash effect" and you can layer as many coats as you want when it's still wet. Sometimes it really feels like I've got falsies on when I blink. The brush is easy to handle too

3. Maybelline Lash Stylist Mascara - You can't go wrong with this one because of the comb-like brush and you get just the right amount of volume and length. The comb has quite pointy bristles so you have to be careful not to prick your eyes while applying, as it happened with me many times. Pfff!!! But you'll forget about these occasional pricks once you see the results. When I used this, some people have asked me if I was wearing false lashes. 
***Found out after I had already posted this that it is discontinued T_T

Tip: Always curl your lashes before applying mascara. This makes it easier for you to get the roots and curled lashes appear longer which really opens up the eyes. And if you want to apply more than one coat, don't let your lashes dry before you apply more coats and it's better to do one eye at a time.

 ***I got all these mascaras in waterproof formulas.***

L'oreal Color Riche Shine Gelee Review

L'oreal has launched these jelly-like lippies in India. I first saw the ad for these in the August issue of Vogue and I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. They're made with royal jelly and 10 essential nutrients.

It's available in 11 shades. I got 200-Berry Rose, which is the same shade as Sonam's in the ad. It comes out a pale mauve on my lips and not as pink as it looks on her. It's supposed to 'nourish like a balm and shine like a gloss' like the ad says, and it does exactly that. What I like about it is it has more staying power than lip balm and brings out a nice pout. I just don't like the grainy feel of it, you know what I mean? It's like fine sand or baking powder stuck on my glossy lips =/. When I wear it, I avoid locking my lips so I don't feel it. I felt the same with the Glam Shine cream lippers, after I'd already bought 3 shades! Bummer =(

Priced at Rs.650, I wouldn't say it's worth it.