Review: Rimmel Brow This Way - Brow Kit

Keeping it short and simple. A very good everyday use eye brow kit. Typically you use the wax to define your brows and the powder to set it. But I leave that vigorous process for my evening outs. On a normal day, I just use the powder to accent & define and it works just fine! 

This compact kit comes in two shades, medium and dark brown. 

I only wish that the applicator brush was a little longer for an easier otherwise I am a satisfied customer :) 

Review - Scandaleyes Retro Glam by Rimmel

here's my fab find - Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara by Rimmel

We all know that there are plenty of mascaras out there that promise great things and tempt us to purchase them only to be disappointed in the end. But this one, my friends, does the job. It's an excellent everyday use mascara that will make your lashes appear fuller and longer in an instant and as it says will give you that 60's wide eyed look

However, if you do try and coat it twice or thrice, it might get clumpy but the solution is to scape the excess product off the wand before use

I say it's an excellent everyday use mascara because, A, it gives you false-lash look without much trouble, B, it's pocket friendly and C, it's NOT waterproof so you can wash it off easily at the end of the day

For some the brush might be too big or hefty to use, in that case, you can use the tip of the wand to coat your lashes individually

I have been wearing it to work everyday and have not witnessed it to smudge or smear

So feel free to pick it up at your next drug store visit!

Review - Boi-ing by Benefit

writing my review after a year! ugh.. I know.. It's a shame..! But here's my take on the much talked about concealer Boi-ing by Benefit cosmetics

my guinea pig for the trial was my colleague/friend with medium-tan skin tone so for her I used the following shade

The before and after application:

My take:

Boi-ing delivers what it promises. It gives you full coverage that lasts upto 6-8 hours. If you're looking for a heavy duty concealer; you've found one!

The texture is creamy and a little dry so I will not recommend it to people with dry or aged skin as it may look cakey or crease

I would advise you to go easy when applying as a little goes a long way. Coating too much will only cause it to cake up or crease after some time

When applying with your finger, always dab the concealer onto your skin. Rubbing motion will cause lines. To make it (or any other concealer) stay longer and to avoid creasing finish off with a face powder

With the extended range it is now available in 5 shades and costs $20 (AED 89)

Product Review: Make Up Academy (MUA) 12 Shade Undressed Palette

A great Urban Decay Naked Palette dupe, this 12 shade palette by MUA is not only affordable (MUA Undressed Palette for PKR 750 - Urban Decay Naked Palette for PKR 7500 - Shut Up!) but also delivers in terms of texture and application.

Being an avid Urban Decay Cosmetics fan, this product has certainly got what it takes to be in my good books.

Courtesy: ETM blog

Courtesy: ETM blog

Point: The shimmery shades are more pigmented and goes on smoother comparative to the matte shades.

Nonetheless, with a price difference like that, it surely deserves to be in your vanity.

Peace & Love!

Regal - (Gold & Purple)

Face: Rimmel's Lasting Finish 100 & 202, Rimmel's Match Perfection pressed powder & Wet n Wild Mega Glo Illuminating powder

Eyes: MAC Carbon (outer corner), Urban Decay Frigid (centre) & Ruthless (under the eyebrows)

Mascara: Rimmel's 1-2-3 Looks

Lips: Mac Ravishing

Beauty Look - Rouge Noir

Face: Rimmel's Lasting Finish (100 & 202)

Lips: Homegirl - Kat Von D

Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked 2 Pallette

Mascara: Rimmel's 1-2-3 Looks

Review - Rimmel's Lasting Finish - 25 Hour Foundation

I have recently become a fan of liquid foundations and can't stop experimenting with 'em. I previously used to use stick foundation on my clients (that's what is prevalent here and I do use it on clients who need extra coverage) but many of my clients did not need alot of coverage. So as per my make-up philosophy "less is more" I'm on a hunt to find best possible solution for my different clients with different skin needs to give them natural and comfortable base that they'd love me for.

I have recently added Rimmel's Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation to my vanity. Starting with 3 shades:

These can cover fair to tan skin tone after I mix and match and will work on most of my clients but you can never have enough. All 3 have yellow undertones which is again Okay for Asian skin but this line offer foundations with pink undertone as well so you have a good variety to choose from. 

Review: It gives medium coverage and I have to use concealer on problem areas to get a flawless base. It's great for normal to combination skin with its semi-matte finish but I wouldn't recommend it to people who have oily or dry skin. It is a longwear foundation as it says; wouldn't melt away and is light weight.

My lip shade pick for 2013 - Addicted!

Im obsessed with this lipstick shade and the best part.. it goes with almost any color you're wearing! Only when wearing during the daytime I lighten it a bit by pressing a tissue paper in between my lips.

Lasting Finish Lipstick-Kate Moss Collection 109

Review: Lasts longer as it promises and gives a nice finish BUT becomes quite dry after a while.

MAC- Sounds Like Noise (Hayley Williams)

Review: Very hydrating; creamier than other MAC lipsticks.

Color Studio - Color Rush Lipstick - Tease Me

 

Review: Rich color and matte finish BUT the color bleeds (smudges) after some time.

Note: the first and last picture are my property. If you have to use it somewhere; please put up credits :)

Nail Color Trend 2013 - My 5 picks

Oxblood/Mulberry

 

Mossy

 

Orange/Mandarin/Tangerine

 

Hot Pink/Fuschia

Neutrals/Nudes

*these images are not my property and are meant for reference only.

Back to Basics! - Part 2

The first step to finding the right foundation is to determine which formula suits you the best. For oily/combination skin, opt for oil-free liquid foundation and for dry skin go for a cream foundation. Note that cream foundations or stick foundations (TV paint stick) provide thicker and heavier coverage comparatively.

To choose the right color, apply the foundation on your jawline and blend it. Choose the color that is similar to your original skin tone or just half a shade lighter. The natural the better!

If you're doing it for the first time, it's better to apply three different shades at once and choose the one that's closest to your skin tone.

For oily skin, the foundation sometimes tend to turn a little darker so wait for a minute or 2 before you make the final purchase. In my post earlier, I suggested to own a variety of foundations for different occasions. For example, on a weekend day-out choose a light tinted formula with SPF to avoid looking overdone whereas for an evening-out you can use a foundation that gives a little heavy coverage.

To get a perfect base do NOT forget to prep & prime! prepping means cleaning and moisturizing your face; it gives a more smoother application and prevents pore clogging. Primer makes your foundation last longer, appear flawless, minimises pores and reduce oil and shine.

My fav primer picks would be:

• All Mat by Make-up Forever
• Primed & Poreless Pure Oil-Free by Too Faced

Back to Basics! - Part 1

Ahh the dilemma of life! finding the right foundation that wouldn't melt away, turn grey, appear flaky, or make you look like a ghost in pictures. Well, let me be your saviour. Fortunately, we live in a time where we can pick a foundation to suit our skin type and tone from a wide array of products available. I'd advise to not rely on one foundation for all your beauty needs. Here's what I prefer:

Daytime/Everyday wear:

It's daytime and you want to look fresh and natural not a wax figure. If your skin isn't very troublesome or do not need much coverage BB creams are a best choice for you. God bless the inventor! Perfect for daily use; whether you're out working or going brunchin' and/or lunchin'. It includes foundation, moisturiser & SPF! What more could you have asked for?

For oily skin, pick the oil-free formula. I like:

For normal to dry skin:

 

For dark skin:

 



Its advisable to re-apply your BB cream if your out for more than 4 hours. Its not an all-day option.

Too much information? Let's take a break... about full coverage foundations please read Back to Basics! -Part 2...

Go bold! - Dark Lips

No you dont have to look like you just came out from a Vampire flick to wear dark lips (I love mulberry!)

This year is all about wearing bold colors. May it be your clothing, accessories or make-up.  Just make sure to even out colors on your face for when you wear a dark lip color it eats up other color(s) on your face. Make sure you balance it out with a right blusher/bronzer, eyeshadow, liner and your brows! Do Not blacken your brows; keep it similar to your hair color or to be safe use soft brown shades.

For the look above I have used:

Lips: NARS Viridiana (Semi Matte)

Eyes: Rimmel Scandolous Eyes (Liner Pencil) in Black

Face: Givenchy Le Prisme Visage (85 Amber Organza)

Blush: Loreal True Match (102 True Rose)