Outfit Of The Day ~ Crop Top & Skater Skirt

In about 1 minute that skirt is going to fly and spread out like an umbrella (under my umbrella...ella...ella...) But nobody saw. Never wear a skater skirt when it's windy.

And in about 10 minutes, while walking on the road, the rain is going to come down on me like an unwanted birthday blessing. I didn't have an umbrella (ah, the irony!) & my mascara wasn't waterproof. 

This is what I wore on my Birthday over 2 weeks ago, btw. I took these pics in a jiffy before heading out. It was the first time I did a photoshoot in our new balcony, and it was soo windy! We're on the 1st floor, so anyone who walks on the road down below can see. I had to run inside and hide every time a car came by. Hence, the odd leg in previous photo... haha!

Top ~ Quiz Lime Textured Crop Top | Black Skater Skirt ~ H&M. Got it on sale, only £3 (Rs.266)  |  Lime Belt ~ H&M. Sale again, £1 (Rs.89)  |  Shoes ~ Suede Mary Janes from Ebay  |  Clutch Bag ~Primark | Jewelry ~ Primark Earrings, Claires Bracelet, Fossil Rose Gold Watch | Of course I had to wear black tights & a leather jacket too before heading out in the cold.

Lipstick ~ I was confused which lip color to wear with lime green. I tried peach & nude...then in the end I went with coral. I used Maybelline SuperStay Stay With Me Coral (Swatches here). I don't really remember what I put on the rest of my face! Definitely got older!

Hope you have fun plans for the weekend. I want to go to Superdrug and get some new makeup I see doing the rounds in blogosphere, but I have no money. I mean, I have spent my monthly budget online recently. Sigh. =D

How To Conceal Undereye Circles ~ Tutorial

In all my years of beauty blogging, I think this one of the most requested. So many readers are troubled by panda eyes. I personally don't have major dark circles (I have other major skin problems, so I'm thankful this is not one one them). Still, my eyes look tired without any concealer under them, especially on sick/stressful days, and when I'm wearing heavy eye makeup. Some days I apply an extra layer of foundation, some days a concealer is necessary.

Here, I applied some kohl and mascara beforehand, so that they bring out my dark circles more. Black kohl on your lower lash line really brings out your under eye bags, and emphasize the shadows under your eyes.

IVC Tutorial Month ~ Tutorial #2

Step 1: Apply Eye Cream. The skin on your undereye area is thin & delicate, so eye cream will act as a protective layer the concealer can adhere to. Use your ring finger for this as it's the gentlest of all your fingers.

Step 2:  This is important. To prevent your concealer from looking too cakey & cut down blending time, apply and dot concealer only on prominent hollows & shadows. To locate them,  tilt your head down and look up at a mirror. Here, I used a thin liner brush to apply concealer in the hollow and to dot under the eye bags, inner corner & the outer corner between my top & bottom lash lines. You can use your concealer wand or a Q -tip (earbud), too.

Step 3:  Blend the concealer with a blending brush or fingers. You can blend the concealer on your eyelids as well. I prefer not to because concealer usually doesn't blend well with my eye shadow primer and ends with looking blotchy.

Step 4:  Pat the blended concealer with your ring finger just to make sure it's all smooth and ready to be set.

Step 5:  Take some loose powder with the same fluffy brush (or another, if the same is too wet), and dab it on top of the concealer. This will set it in place & prevent creasing.

DONE! 

What a difference, right? My eyes eye looks more awake & less tired! =) 

Products I Used:

• Botanics Radiant Youth Hydrating Eye Cream by Boots
• Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in #3 Medium 
• The Body Shop Loose Powder #01
• Brushes: To apply concealer- Inglot 30T eyeliner brush. To blend & powder- Colorbar Emphaeyes Eye Blending Brush .

Picking the right products:

• If your dark circles are very dark & almost purplish or bluish, try to pick a concealer with yellow or peach undertones. Anything pinkish will make dark circles look greyish.
• Stick to creamy concealers that will blend well & not settle into fine lines.
• Avoid powders that have pink in them, stick to translucent or yellow-toned powders. 

Good Undereye Concealers: I like a few- Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer, Kryolan Cream Concealers, Laura Mercier Undercover Pot, YSL Touche Eclat, etc.

Although I have yet to try them myself, I've heard these are good: Maybelline Fit Me & Eraser Concealers, Revlon PhotoReady Concealer, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealers & Correctors.

I guess there are a lot of concealers to be explored, and it will require a separate blog post.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful. Do tell us if you have any favorite undereye concealers.

EOTD With MAC Frozen Violet Pro Longwear Paint Pot

I just love MAC Paint Pots with shimmer, like MAC Genuine Treasure, which is still a favorite till today. Frozen Violet is described as a frosted purple silver, and it is gorgeous. I love that it looks almost taupe, and not as purple.

Products Used:

• MAC Frozen Violet Pro Longwear Paint Pot on lid, bottom lash line & inner corners. I applied it with my ring finger up to the crease, then using my eyelash curler I defined the outer edge by filling in the paint pot with a fluffy blending brush. Eyelash Curler Technique shown here.

• Princess Black Liquid Eyeliner slightly winged out.

• Lakmé Kohl Ultimate to tightline & on waterline.

• Maybelline The Falsies Black Drama Mascara on top & bottom lashes. 3 Coats.

MAC Frozen Violet pro Longwear paint Pot Swatches ~ It can be layered to look more opaque

Price of Frozen Violet ~ £14.50  |  Rs.1253.

My Rating ~ ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.7/5 

I think it's part of the permanent collection, but I'm not sure. 

Fallouts are from a black e/s I used on my brows =\

What do you think? Your kind of eye shadow?

Bourjois Bronzing Primer ~ Incredible!

Bourjois nailed it! This is the first cream bronzer I've ever used, and I don't think I'll want to use any other cream bronzer- or any other primer, for that matter. It's that Incredible!

Bourjois Bronzing Primer has a mousse-like texture, but it feels a little more moist than mousse-to-powder foundations, and more moisturizing than all those silicone-packed clear primers. The first ingredient is Dimethicone, which usually causes my skin to break out (cystic pimples), but even after over-using & over-layering it greedily, I haven't seen any of the dreadful things (touch wood!)

It's made with cocoa beans and orange blossom elixir for radiance and hydration. It smells delicious- like chocolate, and I think a little bit coconutty.

It blends so effortlessly- like whoosh whoosh and it's gone. It does not darken my skin tone or make it look muddy, it only adds a bit of sun-kissed holiday bronze. It evens out the texture of my skin, and makes it feel plumper.

How To Use It: Although it's a primer, I prefer to use it over foundation. I apply with fingers, as well as a contouring brush, like the Sigma F05 (which sheds crazily when used with cream products). I actually want to gift it its own special brush, because it's so good to me. 

[Click to enlarge]

If you were expecting to see a  face swatch, don't worry. I'll probably be wearing it in all my looks from now onwards.... until you get tired of seeing it- just like my The Body Shop Honey Bronzing Powder  =D

Price ~ £6.99 | Rs.607

My Rating ~  ♥♥♥♥♥ 5/5.

I doubt it's been launched in India, but it won't be long.

I'm addicted to it! Really, who needs Nutella?

Mystery Giveaway WINNER

The WINNER of the Mystery Giveaway is Poorva! 

Please Email Me HERE.

If I don't hear from the winner within 24 hours, I will pick another winner.

Thank You all for participating, there will be more Giveaways!

To Wear ~ River Island Polka Dot City Shorts + Textured Peplum Jacket

I just felt like doing this today. Pair stuff, and add a wee bit of zing to a small River Island haul.

When I went birthday shopping, I wanted to buy some new outfits. I went to Topshop, Zara, H&M, etc, but I didn't like many things, except these 2 River Island items....

River Island Black & White Polka Dot City Shorts ~ So happy these are longer and not knicker-length like most of the high waisted shorts these days. I tried a pair at H&M one day, and I swear they looked like boyshort panties! The zipper part is the back, front is plain.

River Island Black Textured Peplum Jacket ~ I love the that it has a zipper, and it's long enough to cover the behind.

H&M Bustier With Gold Zipper ~ This is very cute! It has got ribbons at the back. Of course I won't wear it alone.

Accessories ~ Primark Clutch, Suede Mary Janes from Ebay, Accessorize Earrings, Forever 21 Key Necklace, Claire's Bracelet. 

What's missing? Black leather gloves. I'm want those short ones with snap buttons.

I'll probably wear black tights too. 

By the way, I'm no longer a Size 6.....

I've been upgraded to UK 8. Nando's & Greggs Chicken Bake went straight to my tummy & hips. Now I'm hooked to macarons too, so I'm guessing it's only UP from here on out... woohoo! =) 

Hope you liked this post, coz I want to do more!

Makeup Trick Using Eyelash Curler ~ Tutorial

IVC Tutorial Month ~ Tutorial #1

I was watching DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge- the greatest Bollywood movie of all time) on a Saturday night sometime in February, and during the following scene....

Raj: "Suno, jisse tumhare shaadi hone wali hain...uska naam kya hai?" (Listen, The one you're marrying....what's his name?)

Simran: "Kuljit Singh."

.....this idea occurred to me. I paused the movie, went to make tea, then I went upstairs try it out. I worked!

Nowadays I use it almost every time. It makes it super easy for me to achieve that precise Cut Crease look, especially since I don't have a deep & defined crease line.

Click to enlarge

1. Place eyelash curler on the outer corner of your eye, aligning it from the bottom lash line straight towards the end of your eyebrow. Place the tip of curler till your crease, or where you want to wing of the eyeshadow to end.
2. Press curler a little, and apply your eyeshadow using the edge like a ruler.
3. Now place the top of curler over your lid. The curve is almost the same as a crease. Apply eyeshadow right on top of it.
4. Move the curler around your lid to adjust it to the curve of your eye, until you reach the inner corners.
5. Fill in the center with the same brown  eyeshadow. You can apply all over, but I chose to leave a half moon shape bare.
6. If you want a sharp cut-crease look, you don't need to blend the edges. But if you want a blended look, apply a lighter eyeshadow (beige or taupe) by placing the curler right on the previous brown line, and running the brush right on the top of the curler. The curler will help you stay only on the line that needs blending.
7. Since I have hooded lids, I decided to apply a shimmery e/s (Urban Decay YDK) on the bare part of my lid.
8. You can apply eyeliner on the top lash line, but here I just tightlined the roots of my lashes with a black kohl and applied some on my waterline (bottom lash line)
9. Applied mascara in bottom lash line.
10. DONE!

Remember, you can use any other eyeshadow colors- black, purple, teal, etc. I used brown, because it's more everyday-wearable.

This is a suitable look for all eye shapes:

• If you have a crease socket ~ you can use the eyelash curler just for the outer V. If you want a softer look, fill in your lid space with a light eyeshadow color. If you want an intense smoky look, you can go all out with a black eyeshadow. 
• If you have monolids ~ Don't leave any space in your lid area, fill up the entire lid area with the brown eyeshadow.
• If you have hooded lids, like I do, you can apply eyeliner on your top lash line, but it's better to make it very thin.

Products Used:

• Matte Brown e/s- Urban Decay Faint from Naked Basics Palette
• Matte Taupe e/s- Urban Decay Tease from Naked 2 Palette 
• Lakme Kohl Ultimate pencil
• Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Brush Mascara. 
• Brushes ~ Too Faced Smoker Brush, Inglot  10S, Sigma Pencil Brush.
• Eyelash Curler ~ QVS.

I wasn't going to put a full face look, coz my hair was dirty & I had a tired face, but I wanted to show you that this look makes eyes look smiley....

Lipstick is Deborah Milano Rosetto Red #2. Shown here

♥ 

Hope you liked this tutorial. Idea occurred in February, tutorial done in June. I don't really remember what happened in between.

Enjoy your weekend! I will make aloo gobi (potato + cauliflower), and watch Breaking Bad Season 2 all night.

P.S. If you enjoy reading this blog, and like my tutorials, hope you have VOTED for Indian Vanity Case in Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2013 HERE. It would help a lot. Thanks!

A Girl Spat To Sorbet Shoes....

Friday, 24th May '13, 10:40 am:

We reached the train station. An hour later, we're supposed to be in Edinburgh. As we walked in, I saw a magazine shop, and decided to pick up LOOK Magazine. Mr.CZ went ahead to get the tickets. The shopkeeper was a woman in her late 20's to early 30's (I couldn't tell). She had an almost gothic rock star style- very short cropped black hair, maybe some piercings, she wore a black t-shirt with skinny jeans. I've always admired this style & find it fascinating. She was boyish, but petite. Maybe one size bigger than me, and a couple inches taller. 

I paid for the mag, and took out one copy from the middle of the stack, and not the one on top. It was a habit, you know. Usually, the copy right on top of the stack gets dusty & has probably been touched and flipped through by a lot people, maybe some people who don't wash their hands after doing susu & doodoo. It makes sense, because that way, it won't feel eww when you read the magazine in bed. Plus, this magazine didn't come with an outer sleeve.

 Boyish Woman: "They're the same thing." 

 Me: "Oh, I know. I just want one from the bottom.", I said nicely, and smiled at her. I thought she'd say, "Oh, I see! No problem, you have a naa-ice day now!" 

But she didn't.

Boyish Woman: "But they're the same thing! They're the same thing!", she shook her head wildly. Then she twitched her top lip to one side, and raised her giant eyeballs without looking up- like those male dancers with the heavy kohled eyes & smudged red lips (What are they called?) She kept mumbling, and hit her palms on the magazines. I started to walk away from the uncouth violent behaviour, and that's when she added:

 "S-c-h-t-o-o-p-i-d" (that is: Stupid)

For a second, I thought about ignoring it, but my inner gothic rock star chick didn't let me. 

Me: "What the hell is wrong with you? I KNOW they're the same! I just don't want one from the top of the pile, what's s-c-h-t-o-o-p-i-d about that?!", I looked her straight in the eye.

In that moment, she somehow looked smaller than me, and a question raced quickly through my mind: Could I take her, if she jumps over the counter and drops those giant eyeballs on my face? 

Then, instantly, she stopped mumbling and twitching, and just shrugged. I reckon she probably thought a little Asian woman was going to take it, and run away feeling ashamed. She went back to the counter, as some other customers approached the store, and I walked away with a tarnished mood.

I started flipping through the magazine as soon as we sat in the train, and my eyes landed on something that made me forget about what happened 10 minutes ago. On page 6, were these Primark Sorbet Strappies [£12  | Rs.1028]. My mood brightened up again. This time, in 3 very specific colors!

(If you're wondering why I keep buying the same style of shoes {you must have seen the black & red ones here}, it's because they're the only ones that fit my inadequate feet -thanks to the ankle straps. They've recently launched nude ones too, by the way.)

About 3 hours later....

In Primark: There was only one pair in 'Size 3' available. But for about 7 minutes, the right side was missing from the shelves, strangely. Only the left side was there. Usually, each pair is tied together with an elastic string.

Mr.CZ concluded somebody had stolen it. "But why only one side?", I asked incredulously. He said, maybe the person had the shoes, and one side got spoiled or something, so she came to steal one of them....haha! 

I wanted to cry! Then..... magically, like a Fairy Godmother, a SA appeared with the missing side of the shoe! 

....and the sorbet shoes and me....oh, and a bonus pair of coral Bold In Ballerinas [£.6 | Rs.514]....

 .....lived sorbetilly ever after. 

THE END.

Tutorial Month Starts Tomorrow!

I will slog, and you will be a PRO! 

[That's just for dramatic effect.] 

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick Hot Plum Photos, Swatches

When Maybelline says 'Vivids', they mean just that. I'm impressed!

Hot plum 906 is a vivid fuchsia with a rich purple undertone. So intense it could cover my lips with one single stroke. It clings to lips for hours and stains when it lets go. Smells the same as the original Color Sensational Lipsticks, by the way, like some kind of vanilla caramel toffee....something sweet like that, but mild & tolerable.

Price ~  £7.19 (3 for 2 offer at Boots)  | Rs.613.

My Rating ~ ♥♥♥♥♥ 4.5/5.

If this isn't your type of color, maybe you will like Shocking Coral (shown here) more. Will swatch it soon!

MAY 2013 Favorites ~ Make-up, Best Concealer, DIY Waxing, Etc.

May is not over yet, but I'm in the mood to talk about my May Favorites now.

Carpe Diem!

We start with makeup, as always. From the back:

• Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer ~ This, this is THE BEST CONCEALER. No kidding. It's great for under the eyes, it conceals blemishes, it does it all! And yes, it lasts. It's available in 4 shades- Fair, Light, Medium, Deep. I use #3 Medium (which was always out of stock!) I think my tube is broken somewhere, because the concealer keeps leaking out- messy, messy! The best thing about it- it costs only around Rs.350 (£4.19). This is one thing I'll be buying in bulk when I leave UK =D

• NARS Loose Powder in Beach ~ This powder has a lot of yellow in it, that's why I like it. It's smooth and lightweight, and sets my foundation without looking cakey. It reminds of Ben Nye Banana Powder, which I've yet to try out.

• Maybelline Crayon Oriental Kohl Intense Black ~ I don't want to finish my repurchased Lakme Kohl Ultimate so soon, so I've been using this. It's soft & black, and  hardly smudges.

• MAC Cream Soda Betty Blush from Archie's Girls Collection ~ As I predicted, I ended up loving this light neutral coral blush with a satin finish. Although it looks light, it actually shows up quite coral on my cheeks. Maybe the micro shimmers in it attract attention. Swatches here & LOTD wearing it here

• Sleek Oh So Special Palette ~  When I bought this, I had no idea I'd be using it so much. It has almost every eye shadow I need for everyday. Swatches here.

• Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm Stain in Sweetheart ~ Most-worn lippy from April-May. Swatches here

• Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick #16 ~ A summery grapefruit pink lippy I reach for every time I think medium pink lipstick. Swatches here

• Maybelline The Falsies Black Drama Mascara ~ This is different from the original "The Falsies", okies? Aside from having a fancier lace design, it's also better for my thin lashes. The formula is thicker, and it does make my lashes look like falsies. I have done a post on the original here

• Maybelline Colorama Cremoso Nail Polish Equilibrista ~  I'm liking this girly lilac color more than pink on my fingernails these days.  

Here, we have my favorite skin care & a hair tool:

• The Body Shop Raspberry Body Butter ~ Raspberry is the new Strawberry.

• Veet Oriental Wax ~ This comes with wax, wooden spatula & strips. My 1st time waxing at home, and it was a success! Basically, you just heat the container in microwave, or place it n hot water, and it's ready to use! It didn't irritate my skin too much, or caused too many bumps. I'm afraid to even guess how much the salons here in Scotland charge for waxing whole body. 

• Carmex Cherry Lip Balm ~ It took me a while to get used to the cherry scent, after using the original/plain. But now I like it a lot.

• The Face Shop Mini Pet Hand Cream ~ More pics here. I need more of these cuties. better than L'Occitane.

• Babyliss Volume Waves Curling Tong ~ I.Can't.Live.Without.This. I've been curling my hair every 3rd day now. When it's straight-straight, I feel....ordinary.

♥

The Etc's:

Leather Jackets ~ I've been living in furnace Delhi for so long, that I never had a chance to really indulge in leather jackets, but now I want so many types! Every second girl in UK wears a leather jacket, and every time I see a unique one, I get this urge to go up to the girl and request her to show me the brand tag inside (Let me see! Let me see! Take it off!) Ooh, look at that- Zara, with ruffle detail. Want!

Mama Hot & Spicy Noodles ~ OMG, these are so spicy! Although I do add extra chilli powder & pepper. They're awesome! If you live in Delhi, you might find them in INA Market or big supermarkets.

Macaroons or Macarons (whatever) ~  I tried, I LOVE! Thank goodness, because I've told you I don't like sweets and cakes and chocolates much. But these are so different & fun to eat- just like I imagined in my head (although a little less crunchy). My favorite flavor is Pistachio (green). Btw, these were from Marks & Spencer.

Current Favorite Song ~ Thanks To H&M for introducing me to it. It's always playing in the store, and I'd never heard it before. I noted down some words from the lyrics, and went home to Google. You know, I heard it in both Dundee & Edinburgh H&M stores. They must be promoting it, or something =D

Lastly, I'm watching Sex And The City from Season-1 again these days. I'm amazed at how much I'd forgotten. Last night, I watched 'The Baby Shower' episode, where Miranda said to Carrie:

 "I just realized...maybe it's maturity or the wisdom that comes with age... but the witch in Hansel & Gretel, she's very misunderstood. I mean, the woman builds her dream house and these brats come along and start eating it." 

Haha! Her bluntness, so hilarious. 

That's all from my side. What are your May Favorites?