4th Blog Anniversary In Shoe Heaven | Haul

Happy Birthday IVC! I thought about posting this yesterday, but I got busy and by the time I got home and finished cooking dinner, it was after 2 am IST. I decided to just chill and watch new ep of Breaking Bad  with the man (Yay! It's back!)

Anyways, I know some of you expect blog anniversary posts every year, so here it is! =)

4 years ago yesterday, I sat down and wrote my first blog post, and I owe a lot of my current happiness to that small decision. I celebrated with a visit to a place called Shoe Heaven. If you follow me on Instagram (@czloves), you would have seen it before.

So I've been in the UK for almost a year now, and I only came to know about New Look's Shoe Heaven 2 weeks ago! Hawww I don't know! Maybe it wasn't there in Newcastle? I saw "Shoe Heaven - 1st floor" one day, I went up the escalator, and when I got off it & saw hundreds of shoes all at once, violins played in my head.

That day, I couldn't find any shoe I liked in my size, which is 3 (but some 3's are still too big.)

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Juicy Papaya Photos & Swatches

One fact about me: I hate papaya. I've tried eating it so many times, because people keep saying how beneficial it is health-wise & beauty-wise, but I just CAN'T. I think it smells a little like butter, which I also hate. The cluster of black seeds in it also kind of creeps me out, I always get goosebumps when I look at them.

Okay, enough about the fruit, and let's move on to a different kind of papaya that I don't mind getting near my mouth and nose ~ Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya, which is one of the 4 new shades that were launched recently. It's a lighter & less orange version of Tutti Frutti.

Blushes I LOVE ~ To The Moon And Back!

"Mamma never loved her much, and Daddy never keeps in touch. 

That's why she shies away from human affection." 

~ To The Moon And Back, Savage Garden.

Presenting the only blushes I really use & am very attached to....

[Clockwise starting from the leopard print box]: 

Benefit Coralista ~ If you've been reading my blog forever, you must know how much I love this blush. This is the one blush I want to repurchase even though the first one is not even close to finishing. If it wasn't so darn pricey, I'd go buy a new box just to look at & smell (because it is scented, and mine has lost it). You should have seen the husband's face when I said this =D . Price ~ £23.50 in UK = Rs.2218.

MAC Bite Of An Apple (Matte) ~ Bite.Of.An.Apple. Say it slowly, and you'll feel a little wicked, like Snow White's Evil Queen herself. But there's nothing evil about the blush shade, it's one of the most amazing coral blushes I've ever seen. This is a Limited Edition that came out with MAC Venomous Villains Collection. Price: Rs.1210.

MAC Fleur Power (Satin) ~ This is my oldest most-used blush. It's my go-to blush when I'm confused what to use. It sits in that perfect place between pink & coral, and that's what makes it so reachable. Price: Rs.1150.

Lakmé Cheek Chromatic Baked Blush in Day Blushes ~ Swatches below will prove how it holds its own beside Benefit & MAC. More photos & I wore it here. Price: Rs.550.

MAC Cream Soda Betty Blush (Satin) ~ It may look too pale, but it shows up beautifully when applied. Medium peach when layered. Also a Limited Edition that came out with MAC Archie's Girls Collection. Price: Rs.1544.

We WON Best Beauty Blog!!! Cosmopolitan Blog Awards '13

Oh My Bows! I officially have the best readers! We won the award for Best Beauty Blog (India)! YOU VOTE PHOR MY BLOG! 

Thank You! THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who voted & everyone who simply reads this blog! Special thanks to Cosmopolitan India for hosting India's first-ever blog awards! 

There's a cartoon-ish version of me. Give me a jharoo (broomstick) so I can fly... haha!

Answer #4: Thanks to Mahak Sharma who posted that comment =)

Lancôme Rouge In Love Lipstick Midnight Rose ~ Look & Swatches

I planned to post this at exactly 00:00 am (IST), midnight, to make it poetic. But of course it didn't happen, because editing took longer. 

Lancôme Rouge In Love Lipstick in Midnight Rose 377N is a fuchsia shade. It's weird that although it's glossy, it's so long-lasting, even more long-lasting than some matte lipsticks! When layered, it passed the kissing test, and I think it could easily live up to it's 6 hours claim. When I'm wearing it, I always see it on my lips- never drying, never flaky.

Very very impressed with the unique finish & quality. I want at least one more shade from this range.

If you're wondering how similar it is to Deborah Milano Red #9: Midnight Rose leans towards pink, whereas DMR 9 leans towards red.  

What Are Your Favorite Posts On IVC? [Please Vote!]

Hi Everyone,

This blog is approaching it's 4th Anniversary soon, so I wanted to know the kind of readers I have now. What you expect every time, what makes you feel good, what inspires you, what you never miss reading. 

I also noticed something has changed, that's why this poll will help me prioritize things around here.

Please Vote below....

POLL CLOSED

Thank you to all who're still here 4 years later

&

A warm welcome to all who just got here! 

WANTED! Marc Jacobs Honey Perfume

Dear Marc Jacobs,

I just want to say good job on these whimsical perfume bottles. First ladybug, now bee. You must really like flying insects, huh?

Also, what are you doing to me?!!! 

Tutorial: Winged Cut Crease Eye Makeup

Hello! Hope you all had a very Happy Friendship Day. I thought about making a quick post yesterday, and after pondering and searching my head for a meaningful and heartfelt message, I couldn't find it. I decided against a cartoon card from Google Images, and took a nap instead.

I'll wish you, my blog reader friends, with this step-by-step tutorial on how I created the Winged Cut Crease EOTD I posted last week here 

 ***The lighting changed in between because of the black eye shadow, so the pics didn't come out the same. I hate it when this happens.

1. Take a gel liner and draw 1st bit of line. Curve it according to the shape of your crease. If you have a deep crease line, draw it there. I used Maybelline Lasting Drama Black Gel Liner & Inglot 30T Eyeliner Brush. *Don't press the brush too much while drawing so it doesn't come out too thick. 

*My gel liner had dried up quite a bit, so it was difficult to make the line sharp.

2. Draw 2nd center bit. 

3. Draw the 3rd bit and curve it up towards the end of your eyebrow.

4. Draw downwards making a V. ***Try not to join from the tip straight away. That way it stays pointy when you start filling in. I hope the pic explains it better than I do =D

5. Draw on outer corner of lower lash line. It'll make it easier to line the outer edge straight.

6. Join the lines in the center. Also draw gel liner on lower lash line all the way to tear duct. Here, I mimicked the shape and curved the line out slightly as shown in Pic 7.

7.  Take a matte black eyeshadow with a pointy eyeliner brush or any small brush and shade inside the black gel liner as shown. I used Urban Decay Blackout from Naked 2 Palette.

8. Apply a shimmery eyeshadow on the center of lid. I used Urban Decay Half Baked (Gold) & YDK (bronze), both from Naked 2 Palette

9.  Apply the black e/s on the outer edge again over the outer edges of the shimmery e/s so it looks like the gold is peeking through the black.

10. Apply the same shimmery gold e/s on the inner tear duct area and lower lash line inside the black liner.

11. Line top lash line close to lashes with the same black gel liner.

12. Apply mascara on top & bottom lashes. I wore False Lashes here. I used Eylure Katy Perry Oh, My! lashes. 

Saturday Hauls ~ Lancome, ZARA, New Look

I feel like I bored you all with nonsense this week, or I just bored myself. I don't know why I'm behind on everything! Before I go ahead and disconnect myself from the online world this weekend (or just tonight), here are some haul pics for you.....  

• Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick 377N Midnight Rose ~ It took all of my will power to put aside my natural tendency to pick corals & pinks. Price: £21 | Rs.1962.

• New Look Coral Earrings ~ Saw them once, then I went back. Price: Half Off from £7, so £3.50 | Rs.327.

So pweety!

♥

Last Saturday's Haul.....

ZARA Court Shoes ~ I was shocked that these fit me! Size 36. More shocked because the other Zara size 36 shoes are too big for me. That's why I love these so much! Oh, there were only two pairs size 36's available - one was blacker but looser on my feet; other was brand new, never tried by anyone (tissue still wrapped on the straps) & they fit me better but the suede was less black and had more lint (read: looked dirty). I had to pick the latter, of course... hehe. Price: On Sale, about 50% Off, so about £15.99 |  Rs.1494. 

MUA One Direction Make-Up

Now you can wear Harry Styles & Zayn Malik, girlies! =) 

Boy band of the moment, One Direction, has launched a makeup collection with MUA Cosmetics. It's weird, but if Bieber can launch perfumes for girls, I say why not.

Priced only from £2.50 to £3 | Rs.234-Rs.280, I think it's perfect for teenage 1D fans. Also good for non-teenage, not-1D-fans-just-beauty-obsessed like some of us =D

I might pick up a few today. I got a sneak peek at the Pout Polishes the other day, and they're cute!

Available now at Superdrug 

MUA ships worldwide if you want to order online. 

NEW! Benefit Rockateur Blush

I like to collect these Benefit Boxed Powders (see my collection here), and after a long time I'm liking a new addition - Rockateur. 

"A rose gold blush that gives a famously provocative flush."

Price ~ £23.50  | Rs.2168.

Launching in UK on August 22nd '13. 

I can imagine myself at Debenhams... awaiting its arrival... garland in hands.

In India, Benefit is available at Sephora, Select Citywalk Mall, New Delhi.

 You like?

EOTD: Winged Cut Crease Eye Makeup

I wanted to do the Pencil Shading technique for you guys, but I think that needs to be seen. So I came up with a similar but easier version for a pictorial. Step-By-Step pics on how I did it coming shortly. 

It's different from the Winged Eyeshadow I'd done before here, not to mention more challenging because of the precision required. 

 

What do you think? Something you'd want to try on yourself? 

Upcoming Beauty Video Teaser

Some screenshots from my upcoming video. If you think they're like horror movie scenes, we think alike. That, or we watch too many horror movies! But it won't be scary at all - I promise! =D

If you want to see what's on the other side of the door.....

Stay tuned!

{I'm trying my best to finish it asap.}