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6/10/13

TOP 12 Summer Lipsticks

When it comes to numbers, I prefer even numbers. When I was a kid, seeing the number 24 always made me feel good. For no apparent reason, my head would get weirdly excited when I saw it's 24th on the kitchen calendar. I don't know why. This is just a thing, and I'm not saying odd numbers freak me out, or anything.
Then I grew up, and married a guy who is more obsessed with even numbers. Now even the volume on our TV has to be an even number- 16, 20, 24... 40. If it's 15, he will pick up the remote and bring it up or down to the closest even number. Maybe I should ask him what he thought of '24' when he was a kid, no? o.O
So! Here are my (TOP 5) TOP 12 Summer Lipsticks:
From left to right:
  1. Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Mauve Bliss 034 ~ A glossy light mave-pink that goes perfectly with smoky purple eye makeup. I have not swatched this yet, but you can see another shade - Passionate - that I know is a best-seller because of 'out of stock'here
  2. Maybelline SuperStay Lipstick Stay With Me Coral ~ I have serious issues with the  bumps on this lipstick, but I love the color too much to not use it.
  3. Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate Moss #16 ~ Swatches here
  4. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Rendezvous ~ The only orange lippy I use these days. Swatches here
  5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Sweetheart ~ You know I love this! Swatches here
  6. Maybelline SuperStay Lipstick Infinitely Fuchsia ~ This is without a doubt my favorite fuchsia pink lipstick. I just can't get enough of it! Swatches here
  7. Hello Kitty Lipstick By Superdrug Betz Believe ~ This is officially my favorite rosy pink lipstick. Trying to find a shade exactly like it from other brands. If you know any, please tell me. Swatched here
  8. Maybelline Color Sensational The Jewels Collection Berry Brilliant ~  I love to use this lightly as a lip stain. Swatches here
  9. Deborah Milano Rosetto MilanoRed #2 ~ A lovely peachy nude shade that's become a favorite. I wore it here 
  10. MAC Lustre Lipstick Patisserie ~ Obviously. Swatches here
  11. MAC Veronica Lipstick Daddy's Little Girl ~ Satin finish. The unique one I reach for when I don't want to wear any other color. I wore it here
  12. MAC Veronica Lipstick Ronnie Red ~ Matte finish. I like that this has a berry pink undertone, which makes it cooler-toned. Swatched here 
Hope you enjoyed this lipstick post. Would love to know the lippies that top your list this summer, too! Oh, and it doesn't have to be an even number ;)

P.S. Voting for Cosmopolitan Blog Awards '13 ends day after tomorrow! If you like reading my blog, please show your support by voting for 'Indian Vanity Case' under Beauty Blogs ~ HERE
Thanks a bunch to everyone who has already voted! ♥ 


6/9/13

Pencil Shading Technique Eye Shadow

Have you ever wondered what it'd be like if you used pencils to color your eyes? While that's possible, you need a brush to achieve the penciled effect. When I was studying Fashion Design, shading was part of Sketching, and we shaded with pencils & watercolors. I was very bad at it the first few times, but with practice I got better. Today, I thought I'd try it on my eyes with eye shadow.
I really really enjoyed doing it, and I think I might stick to this technique. 
I used only 3 products:
  • Beige eyeshadow (WOS) on my lid as a light base, a black eyeshadow (Crave)  for shading. Both from Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette
  • An pointed eyeliner brush used like a pencil.
If you noticed the shimmery brow bone, I did a different makeup before this and maybe I didn't wipe it off properly.
If you want me to do a tutorial on this shading technique, let me know.
Happy Weekend, everyone! I should have been cleaning & mopping the house, but I played with makeup instead, so that's been postponed till tomorrow. Tonight, I'm just excited to watch Stoker and, of course, eat a lot of junk.



6/7/13

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



6/6/13

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.




6/4/13

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?



6/3/13

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!



6/1/13

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!