Thursday, July 31, 2014

Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Tint | Carry On Cherry

Lip tints have become quite a popular product since a while now.. We have a large variety of them to choose from now even in drugstores. They're especially popular with people who find lipstick a little heavy or lip gloss sticky, and also people who like the no makeup look a lot. Today I'll be reviewing Rimmel's lip tint in Carry On Cherry (600).
rimmel, lasting, finish, lip, tint, transfer, proof, balm, carry, on, cherry, 600, review, swatch
(Pardon my camera's quality, I'm trying to work on that.)
It is a two way lip tint, with the tint being the first step and the balm on the other end being the second step, to add moisture to the lips. The tint is in the marker form, here is a close up of how it looks: 
rimmel, lasting, finish, lip, tint, transfer, proof, balm, carry, on, cherry, 600, review, swatch
Close up for the balm on the other end: 
rimmel, lasting, finish, lip, tint, transfer, proof, balm, carry, on, cherry, 600, review, swatch
The lip tint has a light cherry + marker like smell, it's a little weird but it's not too strong or irritating. The balm has an extremely light cherry like fragrance, which to me is pleasing. Both caps are strong and close firmly, which makes it good for traveling too. The shade Carry On Cherry was the second lightest I think after Nothing But Nude, which is one shade lighter. I think it's a beautiful almost natural color. It's a berry like color, and the color of the lip tint is VERY much like the color of the packaging, they're almost identical which offers a good guide for the color inside the tube. Though this a "Transferproof Lip Tint" like the packaging says, it does transfer a little, not too much though. The lasting power is fairly good. It does fade after 3-4 hours though but not too much. I actually like the balm a lot, it's very moisturizing and not too shiny or heavy. As for the marker, this is the first tint I bought in a marker like form, and I'm not too pleased by it. For some reason I just don't like the marker form of application. And having to apply the balm separately. It is a great product and many might love it, who don't find the marker feeling weird. But I guess it's just not my thing. I still do use it, not very occasionally though. The color is bright and beautiful, and can be worn all year round I think. Here is the swatch: 
rimmel, lasting, finish, lip, tint, transfer, proof, balm, carry, on, cherry, 600, review, swatch
(The color looks a little faded in the swatch, but it's actually brighter.)
Overall, the packaging and product are great, it offers a good amount of pigment. I just don't really like how you have to apply it in two steps, and also how the tint is in the marker form. The color is beautiful though and is quite flattering on a lot of skin types. 
Hope the review was helpful! Have you tried any of Rimmel's lip tints? What do you think about them? Please leave a comment for any questions or suggestions. :)

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub Review!

Yesterday I reviewed the Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer.. Today I decided on reviewing the scrub of the same line by Aveeno. The daily moisturizer isn't a product I was too happy with to be honest. I did like it though, but the sparkles and slight greasiness would kind put off my feelings for it. But, I like this daily scrub more. Not that it's an out of world type thing, but it's more like a gently everyday exfoliating scrub. It slightly brightens your face too.

 It holds a lot of product, 5.0 Oz. And I started using this a little after it's daily moisturizer. It still has a lot of product. It's texture is a little gritty but the small beads aren't too rough and just gently moisturizer. I absolutely love the smell of this product, it's very fresh; not to sweet and not too fruity, just like in the middle. I also do think it has brightened my complexion, cause of the light exfoliation on a daily basis. Overall, it's a nice mild product. I think it could suit several skin types. It doesn't over dry my face at all, which I love and which is very common of face washes to do. It was $7-8 from CVS I think. I'm not sure and I don't exactly remember the price. I think it's good for the price, better than the moisturizer which is a tad bit expensive for a drugstore moisturizer, click here to see the full review of the moisturizer.
Hope the review was helpful! Have you tried anything from the positively radiant line of Aveeno? If so, what do you think about it? Share in comments! :)

Friday, July 25, 2014

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 Review

I've been using this moisturizer religiously everyday since I got it. It's almost about to finish now, and I got it about 8 months ago. So that's a long time, as it holds a lot of product (4.0 Fl Oz/120ml). It was $14 I think, from CVS. I love it's packaging, it comes in a sleek bottle with a pump, which makes it all the easier to use. It's consistency is thicker than lotion but not as thick as cream, which makes it easy to blend and doesn't feel to heavy on the skin. Though in the summers, I won't say it particularly feels too light. But it doesn't feel too heavy either.
aveeno positively radiant daily moisturizer spf 15 broad spectrum
It's a very basic moisturizer I think. The one thing that I don't like about it too much is that the moisturizer has sparkles in it. Though they don't show up on the face too much, but it still kind of bothers me. Which is the only thing that stops me from repurchasing it. Other than that, I really like it, especially cause it has SPF. Though one other downside is it kind of oils my combo/oily skin a little more. Like after wearing it for 3-4 hours I see shine on my T zone. 
As far as it's claims about brightening the skin.. I would say it does brighten the skin up a bit. Not too dramatically but my skin did look more fresh by using this I think. I think there are several other alternatives that might be able to brighten the skin more than this product, because the effect of this was very mild. 
Final verdict:
I do really like this product, and I really wanted to like it cause I loved the packaging and that it had brightening properties, as well as SPF. But the sparkles in it, and addition to shine on my skin are a downside of this. You might like this if you have more of dry skin. I don't think people with oily skin would really like this. Also, if you don't like any form of sparkles showing on your face, this product is not for you. 
Hope the review was helpful! Please comment for any suggestions or questions. Have you tried anything from the positively radiant line of Aveeno. If so what do you think about it? :D

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

The Balm Hot Mama Review + Swatch!

So, when I started going crazy about makeup and makeup tips I came across The Balm. Which was popularly known for producing very pigmented products and their cute retro packaging. Seeing the reviews and swatches (and of course, the hype) I would go crazy and definitely wanted to own it. So, well... I guess I couldn't hold for long and ordered Hot Mama from Amazon. I got it for $13.79 (which is actually $21 on the website). And I don't think The Balm products are readily available at many stores, it's kind of hard to fine them. They can be bought on the website, or on amazon. Though sometimes Hautelook, which is a premier members-only site featuring private, limited-time sale events of the world's premium fashion and lifestyle brands, has The Balm products available too.
Anyway.. Coming to the review. I absolutely LOVE this blush. I can't rave about it enough. I use it everyday since I got it. Even though Hot Mama kind of has a prominent sheen to it, I think it's wearable during the day too if you use a light hand. This is how it looks: 
the balm hot mama blush review
The packaging is really cute. It comes in a paper cardboard type packaging and has a strong magnetic lid. It holds 7.06 grams, 0.25 oz. Which is quite a lot of product. People say its a dupe for the NARS Orgasm (the universally flattering blush). Hot mama is a very beautiful pinky peach colored blush with a golden sheen. It doesn't really have any big chunks of sparkle in it, which I love. And which all together makes it a lot more wearable. It's lasting power is good too, and it lasts me around 5-6 hours without primer. it doesn't really have any scent. It's texture is very soft and buttery, just tapping it with the brush gets you enough product for one cheek for a natural look. 
I wanted to include a swatch on the hand, but for some reason the camera wasn't doing justice to the color of the blush. So I didn't include that.. Regardless, all the pictures were taken indoor without flash. I hope they're clear and give a good idea of blush. Please leave a comment and let me know what you guys think about it too. Also, you feel free to ask questions. :)

Bourjois Blush 35 Lune D'or Review + Swatch!

I wasn't very into blushes as a makeup starter, cause I thought they made me look like a clown. But with time I've developed this special love for them. Especially cause of the healthy glow they give to the skin. I recently got the Bourjois Blush in 35 Lune D'or. Which is a light pinkish golden blush. At first sight I thought it would be similar to The Balm's Hot Mama blush. It is kind of similar to it thought.
It comes in a small plastic round compact, with a brush and a mirror.
Opened:
The blush has a very light sweet powerdy type of fragrance. Which isn't strong at all. The texture isn't very soft. You don't get much product at one time. You might have to layer it up a little for it to show, especially if you have darker skin. The lasting power isn't very great, because it has a lot of shimmer which kind of fades with time. The shimmer in this product is more visible than in The Balm's Hot mama, which has more of a golden sheen. This blush is a more night time blush, for me at least. 'Cause I don't like very obvious products on a daily basis. Though I do love this blush's sheen, it totally brightens up the whole face.
Here are the swatches: 
 bourjois blush lune d'or 35 swatch

Overall, I really do like this product. But it's not something I'd use on a daily basis. So, no it won't decrease the number of times I reach out for my beloved Hot Mama blush. Unless I'm going out somewhere at night. To read my full review on The Balm's blush Hot Mama click here. For any questions, comments or suggestion. Please feel free to leave a comment.

Maybelline Colorsensational Vivids ~ Vibrant Mandarin 914, Review + Swatch!

Recently I've started obsessing over bright lipsticks. I guess it's just a need sort of thing as the summer approaches. And during the spring I bought a new lipstick, from the Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids: Vibrant Mandarin, 914. It's a bright orange lipstick, as the name suggests. The packaging is sleek, and the color of the lid depicts the actual color of the lipstick. Here is how it looks:
maybelline vibrant mandarin review

The color is very bright. And very vivid. The lipstick has a faint vanilla type of sweet smell. It's not very orange though, it's more of a bright pink-ish orange type of coral. It's like a neon color. To me, I like the color but I don't think it's very wearable, cause of how bright it is. Though, when I pat it with a tissue it lightens a little, and that's how I can wear it. Otherwise this isn't a favorite lipstick of mine. The finish is creamy/satin like. And it has a beautiful sheen. The color also leaves behind a beautiful stain, which isn't too dark. That's how I use the lipstick mostly, by just keeping the stain.
Here is the swatch:
maybelline vibrant mandarin review swatch orange lipstick
You can't tell the color very properly. It looks more orange in the picture. Where as in normal lighting it looks more in between a bright orange to coral. The lasting power is great. Cause the lipstick is very opaque. And it doesn't accentuate any dry patches on the lips, which a lot of lipsticks do.
Overall, this lipstick just kind of added to my small collection of lipsticks. I don't like it very much, cause it's too bright. I can pull of a matte red lip, on rare occasions. But this lipstick isn't just bright, it's more like a neon color. Which I think isn't my thing really.
I bought this for Rs. 975 at Beauty Arena. It's available in most leading stores in Pakistan. It's also available at most drusgtores. It rages from $ 7-8, and is also available at most drugstores depending on where you buy it from.
Hope the review was helpful! Please feel free to comment for any questions or suggestions.

The Body Shop ~ Color Glide Lip Shine Lipstick

I've been reviewing lip products mostly, must seem like I'm really into lip products. Well, to be honest I can't really decide which makeup product is my favorite. I'm actually obsessed with all makeup products, lipsticks, eye shadows, blushes, highlighters, bronzers, anything! And today I'm reviewing The Body Shop's lipstick, in the color glide lipstick line, the color I have is Rare Coral (11), available at The Body Shop.

It comes in a beautiful metal packaging, and seems quite solid in the hand. Also, the size is very compact. 

(Click on photo to enlarge.)
The color I'd say isn't coral, even though the name suggests. It's more like a warm peach-ish nude with very beautiful fine shimmer, which doesn't really show up but just gives a glow. 
the body shop color colour glide shine lipstick 110 rare coral swatch review
The finish is shiny, as the name suggest. The lipstick has a very faint sweet smell. I'm not sure how to describe it, it's like that smell which comes from high-end lipsticks. In the picture above the color looks more like a pinkish-coral, but the color is very slightly coral I'd say. Or isn't coral at all. The color is very sheer, it can be build up, but I think since the lipstick is shiny, it feels heavy on the lips if build up. It feels like having a lot of lip gloss on the lips. The finish is creamy satin like. It's a very nice every day sort of color, and quite suitable for the summers.
The lasting power of the lipstick is not very impressive. I guess that's because of it being similar in application to a lip gloss.
Here is the swatch: 
the body shop color colour glide shine lipstick 110 rare coral swatch review
This above picture does justice to actual color I think, since it's more like a light pinkish peach shade. Though in the picture the fine shimmer isn't visible. It's more like golden fine shimmer. I bought this lipstick for Rs. 1400 at The Body Shop. Prices vary in different countries according to the exchange rate. The Body Shop products though are very widely available in several countries.
Final verdict, I'm not very pleased with the lipstick, I guess cause I don't like too shiny lipsticks, they kind of feel heavy on the lips. Otherwise the color is nice. It's a type of color that can be pulled off with a dramatic eye. But I don't really find myself reaching for this lipstick much.
Hope the review was helpful! Please leave your comments for any questions or suggestions. Hope you have a great day! :)

Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer - Review + Swatches

Concealers are a blessing, for someone like me with raccoon eyes (yes, I have terrible under eye circles). So, I'm always on the search for a good under eye concealer, that is hydrating, pigmented, lasts long, looks natural, brightens the eye and doesn't cake. Well, I guess it's not easy to find that. So, today I'll be reviewing the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in Eclat Clair (51). Which is the lightest shade in this range. Though I think my skin tone would be more suited to the shade 52. But since concealer is often slightly lighter than your skin tone, I chose 51.
The concealer comes in a tube, and has a cream to liquid consistency.
It holds 10 ml product. And has a hard to describe smell. It's like this sweet makeup type smell. Its called healthy mix cause it has healthy things for the skin.
The concealer has yellow-ish undertones. Which is quite known for the healthy mix line. I've read on online reviews that all the foundations, concealers and compact powders of this line have strong yellow undertones. Not for the foundations though, but I think that's a plus for the concealer. Cause it helps brighten up the under eye area. The lasting power of this is good. I think that's largely due to the concealer giving a matte effect. It lasts around 5-6 hours without touch ups.
I mostly apply this using a sponge, I dab it around my eye and just tap it around with the sponge. I won't say it has a lot of coverage. It's more like medium coverage. Neither do I think this is very hydrating. I wouldn't recommend this for dry skin. It gives more like a matte finish.
Here is the swatch:
(Click all pictures to enlarge.)
The product isn't very buildable I'd say. Cause it starts setting in fine lines when applying more product. I got this for Rs. 1000 at Hyperstar, Lahore. Bourjois products are also available at Walgreens.
Overall, I won't say this is a favorite concealer. It's alright. I like my newly bought Catrice Concealer a lot more. Which I'll be reviewing tomorrow. Hope the review was helpful! Please leave a comment for any questions or suggestions!

Catrice Camouflage Cream Concealer - Review + Swatches

Well, like I said in my yesterday's post. I am always on the search for the perfect concealer. Today I'll be reviewing my Catrice Camouflage Cream Conceler in Light Beige (020). I'll have to say I didn't have very high hopes when buying this product, but still wanted to get it cause I wanted to try out a concealer in a pot. Since I kind of had the idea that it'll be thicker and might provide more coverage. But I have to say, ever since I bought this concealer I am absolutely loving it!
Now I'll tell you why I love it.. Well, I think the packaging is really cute. Even though it's a very general plastic packaging. I think it's quite compact and holds a good amount of product (3g/0.10 oz). I'm generally attracted to black colored packaging. Here's how it looks:
The front (click photo to enlarge).
The back (click photo to enlarge).
I love this concealer so much, mostly cause of it's awesome coverage. It makes my under eye circles literally disappear, as if I never had them. Also, I think it has the perfect undertone, a salmony sort of undertone. Which looks absolutely natural on the skin. Some people might think the concealer is a little heavy, but I don't feel that. I think it's perfect for covering under eye circles. And I've been using it a lot since I got it.
It doesn't really have much fragrance, and it doesn't bother me at all. It's like that makeup type smell that often comes from most lipsticks. It doesn't cake at all I think.  And neither is it very drying. It's like the perfect in between caking and drying. You do need to blend it out though, and that can take some effort. But to me it's totally worth it. Cause once properly blended out it doesn't budge and lasts very long. Even after coming home after 7 hours it wasn't being easily removed with water alone.
I don't remember how much exactly I got this for. I think it was around Rs. 700, from Al-Fatah. Catrice cosmetics aren't sold in the U.S. as far as I know.
Here is the swatch:
catrice camouflage concealer cream review light beige 020
Overall, I'm really impressed with this concealer. And am looking forward to buying more catrice products.
Hope the review was helpful! Please leave a comment for any questions or suggestion. Or if you're not on WordPress you may visit the "Contact Us" tab for my email. I'd be happy to reply to any queries.

Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick ~ Mauve it Over 003, Review + Swatches!

Revlon Super Lustrous lipsticks are famously known for having a wide variety of shades and different finishes. This one, mauve it over, is of matte finish. The name is quite on spot, because the color is mauve, but just that it's prettier than mauve. It's like a perfect nude-purplish lip color. I really like the packaging of these lipsticks, since there are no edges to it. Which I don't really like, cause then you have to think even when putting the lid back on the lipstick, like the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipsticks. Also, on the top of the lid there is a transparent part, from which you can see the shade of the lipstick without having to open it, which of course adds to the convenience.
From the top:

Revlon Super Lustrous, Mauve it Over, matte, 003.
The lipstick is 4.2 g which is actually more than the average lip products which is mostly 3.5 g. All the pictures are taken in indoor lighting.
revlon mauve it over review 003

Even though the lipstick is matte, the texture is extremely creamy, and butter soft. The finish is perfectly matte. The lipstick is scentless, so it's a great option for people who are sensitive to smell. I feel it also moisturizes my lips, regardless of being matte, because of The lasting power is great. It lasts me around 5-7 hours without any touch-ups.
I absolutely love this shade, because it's very wearable. And you can also match it with a smokey eye look. Especially if you're tired of doing nude lips, like me.
Here is the swatch (picture taken in indoor lighting):
revlon mauve it over swatch review 003
I bought this from Lahore Hyperstar for Rs. 1400. It is also available at http://www.ulta.com/ and most drugstores for $6-8 depending on where you buy it from.
The color has bluish undertones, so this color would most probably suit people with cooler undertones more as compared to people with warm undertones.
You may like it:
1) If you like matte finishes
2) If you have cool undertones
3) If you are sensitive to scented lipsticks
You might not like it if:
1) You have warm undertones
2) You like cream finishes
Overall, I really like this lipstick. Especially cause it's a type of color I can wear on a daily basis. As well as with a smokey eye look. And I love matte lipsticks, so it's a great lipstick for me.
Do you own any Revlon matte lipsticks? If so, what do you think about them? You may leave your answer in the comment box below!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The Body Shop Color Crush Lipstick ~ Review + Swatch!

Today I'll be reviewing The Body Shop's Color Crush lipstick in Coral Blush (110), available at The Body Shop. It's a beautiful bright summer color. And it's one of my favorite lipsticks, though I'm not sure which lipsticks are exactly the one's I love the most. I always wear lipstick depending on my mood, the weather, how I feel and etc. The lipstick's name is quite on spot, cause the color isn't exactly coral. It's like this extremely beautiful mix of pink and coral, hence the name; coral blush. It really brightens your face if you look tired and at the same time isn't too bold. The packaging in nice and decent, like a standard lipstick. But it has a colored cap. Which I like and makes this lipstick easy to identify among my other lipstick. This is how it looks:
the body shop color crush lipstick coral blush 110
The lipstick has a sweet fruity fragrance, not too overpowering and doesn't bother me at all. I actually like it. The color is I think a type which can suit a lot of skin tones. Since when I was at The Body Shop the assistant there said to me that this color was one of the shade that got sold the most. This is how the lipstick looks:
the body shop color crush lipstick coral blush 110
The lipstick is long lasting, at least for me. I wore it to University at around 8 am and by 4 pm, my lipstick still looked fine. Just a little faded at the inner sides of the lip, cause of eating and drinking. The finish is really beautiful, it's not completely matte but its not shiny at all. It's like perfect, not too creamy either, and it feels light on the lips.
I bought this from The Body Shop on a sale, for I think about Rs. 1000. I lost the receipt so I'm not exactly sure about the price. But it was something around that. Cause it retails for Rs. 1400 normally but it was on 30% discount.
Here is the swatch:
the body shop color crush lipstick coral blush 110 review swatch
Overall, I really like this lipstick. It's a color that I can pop on whenever I feel I need to brighten up my face. And it lasts very long.
Hope the review was helpful! Please leave any comments for questions or suggestions. :)

Mini Milani Haul.. Baked Blush, eye pencils and primer!

Today I'm doing a min Milani Haul. Which I received in my mail yesterday. I got the famously known dupe for the Nars Orgasm; baked blush in luminoso, a limited edition of the shadow eyez in Sand Dunes (11), Brow & Eye highlighter pencil in Vanilla Natural Taupe (03) and lastly the Milani Eye shadow Primer.
milani baked blush luminoso primer brow and eye highlighter shadow eyez

First I'll be reviewing the eye shadow; shadow eyez in Sand Dunes (11). Which is one of the limited edition eye shadows in the shadow eyez line. I absolutely fell in love with this color when I swatched it. It's beautifully shimmer and applies so effortlessly, so creamy, but dries and does not crease at all. No product comes off when touched either, just maybe a piece or two of the shimmer particles. It's more of a night out eye shadow to me, but I think I might be able to pull it off during the day too. It has no fragrance and can be sharpened with any jumbo sharpener. It is very long lasting, I don't think it'll last 12 hours though. But it will last at least 5-6 hours, without creasing. Here is the swatch:
milani shadow eyez sand dunes limited edition review swatches

In the picture the shadow isn't as shimmery and bright as it actually looks on the eyes but it really is a highlighting color. Slightly champagned color, gives a metallic finish. I got this for Rs. 875 I think on www.beautyarena.pk. It is available in most drugstores for about$#6-8 depending on where you buy it from.
Next is the Brow and Eye highlighters. They come in three shades. This was the only pencil with two matte shades, the other two pencils had one matte and one shimmery shade. But since I was picking the shadow eyez in a shimmery shade, I decided to pick this is a double matte shade; Vanilla & Natural Taupe (03). Since I mostly like natural matte makeup, without shimmers. I think both sides of the pencil are very creamy. But unlike the shadow eyez they don't dry matte and do transfer a little when touched. But you can use a primer to increase their lasting power and set your makeup with a setting spray. What I absolutely love about the pencil is that light colored side of the pencil completely matches my skin tone. So I could use this as a concealer too, especially if you're on the go and want to travel light. Also, the brown part of the pencil can be used as a natural eye colored eye liner. Here is the swatch:
Milani brow and eye highlighter pencil vanilla natural taupe 03
I got this for Rs. 975 I think. I'm not sure. Same website. It's available in most drugstores for about $7-8, again depending on where you buy it from.
Milani eye shadow primer, is availble only in one shade; nude. I got this cause the ELF eye shadow primer which several people say is just like the UD primer potion didn't work for me. It made my eye shadow crease. So I thought I could give this primer a shot, since there were good reviews about it on MUA. It has a very soft feel and dries to matte. It's different as compared to the ELF eyelid primer. I think it's better. I haven't tested it enough yet to exactly tell how long it makes me eye shadow last since I just got it yesterday. It holds 0.3 Fl oz, for Rs. 750. It's available for about $6-7. Here is the swatch:
Milani shadow primer 12 hours

Lastly is the Milani baked blush in Luminoso (05). Which most people say is the exact dupe of the Nars Orgasm, just that it doesn't have big pieces of golden glitter like the Orgasm. But I am not too sure about that. Since several reviews say The Balm's Hot Mama blush (I blush that I absolutely love) is a dupe of Orgasm too, just that it's a little more peachy than it. Where as I think Luminoso is more peachy than Hot Mama. But regardless of that I think Luminoso is a beautiful everyday wear blush. Since it's not too sparkly and just gives a healthy look. It is slightly powdery but I think that's cause its a baked blush. It retails for Rs. 960 at the same website, for 3.5 g/0.12 oz. Available around $6-7 at most drugstores. Comes with a small brush which I think is great for travelling and a small mirror. Here is the swatch: 
milani luminoso baked blush review swatches
For my full review on The Balm's Hot Mama, click here. Hope you all liked the reviews. For any questions or suggestions please comment. :) Have a great day!

The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain

It's been quite a while since I last posted, apologies. I just kind of got caught of in some things. I'll be posting every Sunday and Wednesday hopefully. Today's post is on The Body Shop's Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink (01), available at The Body Shop.I got this about 2 years ago I think. This was my first stain and I haven't bought one since. Maybe cause I just loved this one so much. It comes in a tube plastic packaging with a brush applicator. It holds 0.2 Fl Oz/8 ml.
the body shop lip and cheek stain

(Click photos to enlarge.)
As you can tell by seeing, I've used up quite a lot of this baby. It has no a very weird fragrance, but it vanishes as soon as you apply it to your cheeks. I personally don't use it on my lips cause I don't think it looks very natural on the lips. I really like its brush applicator cause you can get just the right amount without having to dirty your hands. I spread it using my fingers, I don't like the feel of stippling brushes very much. With which most people apply cheek stains. 
the body shop lip and cheek stain review and swatch
I think the stain has a beautiful color and gives a very natural flush of color. That blends very well. But you need to be kind of quick at blending after applying it to your cheeks. Cause otherwise it leaves a stronger stain of where it was applied. I think it has great lasting power, around 8-10 hours without primer! Even though most of my other makeup has come off, the stain stays. I guess that's one great benefit of stains. They actually stain you. :P
Here is the swatch: 
the body shop lip and cheek stain review and swatch
I got this for Rs. 1400. And it retails for $14 at The Body Shop Outlets. Overall I really like this product. It has a a long staying power. It looks very natural and is great for everyday wear, because it gives a very lightweight feel.
Hope the review helped! Please comment for any queries of suggestions! :)

L'oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara Review!

I know this mascara isn't a new mascara. I got it quite a while back but never really used it. Maybe cause it didn't come to my expectations. The name says explosive so I guess I expected it to do more than the average mascara. Anyway, there are mixed reviews about it's small round brush. To be honest I didn't mind it, but I do think it kind of unequally applies mascara overall. You may end up applying more product to some lashes as compared to the others.

Though I read several reviews saying it dries up, which isn't true for me. Even though I live in a very hot and dry area. I got it quite a while back so I'm not sure how much it cost me, I think it was $10-11. It's consistency is fine and it's not waterproof. It comes off easily. I won't say it clumps but since I feel it applies unevenly it does look like its clumped a little. It does lengthen a little as well as add some volume but not dramatically. Here is my left eye without mascara:

And the right one with mascara:
L'oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara Review

I won't say the difference is dramatic. It's just there a little. Maybe you could use this as an everyday mascara for a more subtle look. But I personally wouldn't repurchase this.
Hope the review was helpful! Please comment for any questions or suggestions!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Rendezvous (040) - Review + Swatch!

Since it's summer, I'm loving all my coral, peach and orange lip color shades. Today I'll be reviewing Revlon's Balm Stain in Rendezvous (040) which is a sheer orange shade. It comes in plastic packaging and with it's bottom being twistable, to move the crayon shaped balm stain outward. It holds 0.095 Oz/2.7 g. 

It has a very mild fragrance, like a mint candy sort. The plastic packaging matches very much to the actual color of the balm, which I think is really good. Though the crayon seems bright orange it applies as a very wearable orange and isn't too bold. If you look closely at the balm, it has very fine golden sparkles. But once applied to the lips you can't see any.
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Rendezvous Review Swatch
Left 3-4 swipes, Right 1 swipe.

The lasting power for me of this balm isn't impressive. It hardly lasts 3-4 hours. But it leaves behind a beautiful stain! It has warm undertones, but I think it is a color that could suit all skin tones.
Overall, I really like this product. I do agree that I might have to give more touch ups cause of it's poor lasting power, but it's hydrating and I love the color. It's a great color to be paired with a bronze summery look!
Pros:
  • Hydrating
  • Leaves behind beautiful Stain
  • Unique orange shade, great for summer
  • Suits several skin tones
  • Fresh minty fragrance
Cons:
  • Poor lasting power
  • Not too many shades of balms to choose from
Hope the review was helpful! Please comment for any questions or suggestions. :) Have you tried any of the Balm Stains, if so what do you think about them? 

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush (Peach Satin, 20) Review + Swatch!

This isn't a new product I know, but it's a product I've been wanting to review. I bought this from CVS for I think $8-9 in the shade Peach Satin (20). I got it because of all the excellent reviews I read about it, and how so many people raved about this blush. But to be very honest, I was quite disappointed when I got it. It is a nice cream blush but it wasn't at all what I expected. The thing that I disliked the most about it how it's a dirt magnet, not at all hygienic. I haven't even used the blush much but yet it's full of bits and other things on the surface. It would have been a lot better if it was in a tube like packaging. But every time you have to dip in your finger, no matter how clean it is, stuff settles in it.
maybelline dream bouncy blush peach satin review and swatch


It holds 5.6g/.19Oz. The color Peach Satin is beautiful, and it adds a nice flush to the cheeks. But I don't like it's consistency too much. It's like an in between a mousse and cream blush. And it literally is bouncy, lol. Because if you push one side of the blush down the other side comes upward. The blush has a very light cinnamon sort of fragrance. It's not very long lasting, it lasts about 3-4 hours for me.
The color is a light peach with warm undertones, and the blush has a slight glow. It doesn't dry to matte. It also has very light pieces of glitter which don't show up on the face.
Overall, I don't like the blush very much. Mostly because of the packaging. And also because of it's weird consistency. The color is fine, but not too great for me. And I don't like it's lasting power very much either. A lot of you may love this blush, but I guess I wasn't luck enough. Maybe it doesn't last too long on me cause of my combination skin.
Hope the review helped! Please comment for any suggestions or question. Let me know what you think about this blush. Maybe your perspective will make me like it and I'll use it! :D

Monday, July 21, 2014

Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipsticks - Soulmate and Delight - Swatches + Review!

I'm not a big fan of covergirl. Yes, I do like some of their products, but I'm never too hyped about covergirl products. I own two lipsticks of the Lip Perfection line, that my friend got me; Soulmate (320) and Delight (410). They're both lipsticks with shimmer in them and have the standard amount of lipstick product (3.5g/.12Oz). 

I love the fragrance of these lipsticks, it's like sugary candy, it's really sweet. And the lipsticks aren't too sheer or too crazily pigmented. I guess they'd be more pigmented if they didn't have shimmer. They were $7-8 I think from Rite Aid. They're lasting power is average. Around 3-4 hours when I'm not eating.
covergirl lip perfection lipstick soulmate and delight
Left Delight, Right Soulmate.

Left Delight, Right Soulmate.
In the picture delight looks coral colored, which it's not. I guess the gold shimmer particles are reflecting in the camera, causing it to look like that. Delight is actually more sheer than soulmate. Both have gold sparkles in them though. Soulmate is warm undertones whereas delight seems more of a neutral undertone to me. I think delight is a color that can flatter a lot of skin tones. It's also more wearable on a daily basis.
covergirl lip perfection lipstick review and swatch soulmate and delight
Left Soulmate, Right Delight. 

Overall, I don't think I'd repurchase these lipsticks. Cause there isn't anything too glam in them. Not that I dislike them, but the colors are just not my favorites. They're nice lipsticks when I want a change though.
Hope the review was helpful. Please comment if you have any questions or suggestions. Have you tried any of the Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipsticks, if so what do you think about them?

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15 - Review

I have very dry and chapped lips, whether it's summer or winter. Most lipsticks dry on my lips too, and give the dry dehydrated lips look. Which is why I'm always on the search for a lip balm that keeps my lips hydrated. When I saw the Vitamin E Lip Care Balm at The Body Shop I had to pick it up. Especially cause of the added advantage of SPF 15, which I think is very important especially if you go to school or college.
The lip balm has a very faint sweet smell. It holds 4.2g/0.14 Oz. It doesn't feel cool on the lips. It's very moisturizng and still manages to somehow not feel greasy. Though I'd say the lasting power isn't too great. Since I have to reapply after around 3-4 hours. But I think it's really nice because of the SPF and how it moisturizes without feeling heavy or greasy at all. Though I haven't really noticed much improvement in my lips, but they do stay hydrated with the lip balm on. 
When going to college I mostly use this prior to putting lipstick, because lipsticks don't have SPF or any sunscreen in them. Also, it makes the application of most lipsticks smoother.
Overall, I really like this lip balm, especially cause of the added advantage of SPF. Also cause it soothes my lips and moisturizes them better than any other lip balm I've tried. 
Hope the review was helpful!