First Blog Award : Liebster Award 2016

Hi guys,

If you guys have ever read my older post you would know I'm very off and on kind of blogger and I blog as and when I feel like sharing a product that I like or really feel people should know about it. Hence I was extremely surprised when the beautiful Neha, of Theinstylejournal (a blog dedicated to her travels and beautiful pics) 

nominated for Liebster Awards. If you are someone who loves to travel please check out her blog.

What is Liebster award?

It is an award that exists only on the internet, and is given to bloggers by other bloggers. Liebster in German means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

There are some official rules about it.

If you have been nominated for The Liebster Award AND YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT, write a blog post about the Liebster award in which you:

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and post a link to their blog on your blog. Try to include a little promotion for the person who nominated you. They will thank you for it and those who you nominate will also help you out as well.
2. Display the award on your blog
3. Nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have a less than 200 followers.
4. Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award

So below are my answers to the question assigned to me by Neha

What motivates you to blog?

Firstly I love makeup and I have been reading makeup blog since I was in college. That’s how this blog was born, as I wanted to share my love and passion with other people. I have extremely hectic 9 to 5 job as a marketer and at the end of the day this keeps me sane as it’s my love.

How often do you post content on your blog?

This completely depends on my mood and work schedule but I would like to post twice week.

Which is your all time favourite movie and why?

Casablanca & Breakfast at Tiffany's there is just something I love about black N white movies that I can’t explain. Both are beautiful love stories I their own accord.

What is your favourite beauty product of all time and why?

Kajal and tinted lipbalms. I genuinely feel no makeup is complete without Kajal plus it was part of me since my childhood days.

Who is your inspiration?

My darling sister Rucha & my amazing BF, they always support and indulge me, no matter what, even when I behave like completely insane person (which happens quite a lot actually). They inspire me to be better person every day.

How would you describe your blogging style?

Eccentric, as I don’t follow a particular trend I like to blog about anything which I want to share with people or I feel people should know about it.

What is your favourite hobby?

Reading and sleeping, I can do both the things indefinitely.

Describe yourself in one word

Quirky.

Who are your favorite top 3 bloggers?

Ankita from Corallista, Sangeeta from BeautyNyx &  Shrey Jain of sjlovesjwellery

Which blogs do you check daily?

Corallista & sjlovesjwellery (youtubber)

Which is your favorite restaurant?

There are quite a few like Bar stock exchange (BSE), Poptates & TAP

Below are my nominations and the question that these beautiful ladies have to answer.

Nominations: (In no particular order)

1. Sangeeta from BeautyNyx
2. Melina of Mac-elina
3. Anubhuti from  senseiteve 
4. Shailaja of :  missionbeyoutifulblogg
5. Deepti of : bronzeandblush 
6. Ishita of :  wowmeposh
7. Jennifer of  indianbeautycaffe 
8. Mariyam from the Beautyholic 

Questions:

1. What motivates you to blog?
2. Which is your favorite beauty/skincare product of all time and why?
3. Favorite blogger/Youtubber and why?
4. Favorite movie/TV serial/Comic character you love and why?
5. Biggest risk you have taken and it paid off?
6. Describe your perfect weekend?
7. What will you carry with you if stranded on island?
8. One nick name people insist on calling you but you hate it
9.  Favorite song of all time?
10.  One celebrity you would like to go on date/have dinner with?
11.  Last line of your autobiography would be?

Awaiting your amazing responses.

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Colorbar Perfect Match Primer: Review

Hey guys,

So today I’m going to review one of the most of most import thing of makeup routine especially in summer when your makeup disappears at lightning speed due to heat and humidity. It’s  a Primer

Primer helps keep your product in place for long time by binding agent between your skin and makeup. It goes in after sunscreen and before foundation. It also helps to apply makeup much easily as it form a good base for your makeup to stick on.

For the longest time this was the only primer that I owned which you can guess from the wear and tear on its body, and I was quite satisfied with it. 

About Product (As on website)

This satiny touch oil free primer masks the fine lines and uneven texture, making skin marvellously soft and smooth.

Ingredients: Not mentioned.

Price: INR 725 for 30 ml (price may have increased now)

Shelf life: 4 Years

Where to buy: Colorbar website, Nykaa, Amazon, Flipkart

Packaging:

Colorbar Perfect Match Primer come is sleek semi transparent white color tube with sliver twist cap, which looks really classy and chic. Packaging is quite sturdy which makes it really travel friendly. It has a nozzle to dispense the product which helps regulate the amount of product released from tube.

Truthfully I could not have asked for better packaging.

Texture:

 It has smooth thick gel like consistency, which feels slippery on the skin due to all the silicone additives in it.

My experience:

Colorbar Perfect Match Primer blends easily on the skin making it smooth and reduces the appearance of pores. It smoothens the uneven texture of the skin which helps your foundation glide on easily.  All you require is pea sized amount of product for entire face. 

Coming to its oil controlling properties, my face stays oil free for good 5 hrs. Even in Mumbai Humidity. My foundation stays fresh and longer when I use it underneath it. It acts as a barrier between the natural oils of case and makeup and prevent the breakdown of makeup you require fewer touch ups.

 

Pros:

• Hides pores & Smooths out uneven texture,
• Controls oil for a longer time
• Helps concealer/foundation to glide on easily on the skin
• Spreads and gets absorbed very easily on my face.
• Increases stay time of base
• Gives a glow to face.
• Packaging is travel friendly
• Affordable
• Only small amount is needed.
• Didn't break me out.

Cons:

• Ingredients not mentioned.
• Contains silicone & parabens

Overall thoughts: 

It does everything you expect a primer to do – minimize imperfections, give smoother base for foundation, control oil and keep the base looking fresh for longer time. All in all a perfect primer and at reasonable cost.

Rating: 4/5

Recommendation: It is a decent primer which does good job on budget , but not really a must buy as there are lot of other budget primers in market..

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Hedonista Face Soufflé Review

First thing that comes to my mind when I hear Soufflé is the yummy French delicacy, which (unfortunately) this is not. But was what attracted me to this product. I had received Hedonista Face Soufflé in June 2015 My Envy box and I’m perpetually grateful for them to introducing me to this beauty.

I love the way hedonista has name this face pack as soufflé as the word soufflé is the past participle of the French verb souffler which means "to breathe" or "to puff”, which makes sense as it causes my face to breath.

About the brand: (As per their website)

Hedonista was founded with the firm belief that natural and sustainable products can be fun and luxurious, too. Our products are handmade, all-natural and cruelty-free.  Hedonista products are inspired by your many moods: unexpected, surprising, and whimsical.

For more details check out here and here.

About product: (As per their website)

No-guilt indulgence.

This decadent elixir of chocolate and rhassoul clay cleanses your skin inside out, and then imbues it with nourishment.

• Great for sensitive skin.
• Handmade & all natural: High-quality ingredients and organic oils for indulgent rituals.
• Luscious recipe.

Directions For Use: 

Apply a thin layer over cleansed face and neck. Click ‘Oompa-Loompa’ selfies. Wash off after 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cocoa powder, Calamine, Vegetable glycerin, Organic cocoa butter, , Rhassoul clay, Turmeric extract, Indian gooseberry extract, Xanthan gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Organic essential oils of lavender, orange & grapefruit, Sodium Gluconate, Caramel, Cedarwood oil. We use only food-grade preservatives. No animal testing.

Price: INR 1,650

Quantity: 115 gm

Shelf Life: 18 months from manufacturing. (6 months from opening)

Packaging:

Hedonista face Soufflé comes in green plastic tub with tight aluminum screw on lid and white lid to avoid spillage. The tub is not bulky, which makes it travel friendly. The tub is made from reusable plastic. The aluminum lid has colorful label on top and all the information the body of tub. The overall packaging gives a very youthful feel to this product.

Texture and smell:

Hedonista describes it as decadent and there is no other correctly word for it. It smells & Looks like chocolate and I had to do everything in my power not to eat it. It is extremely soft and fluffy like well beaten cake batter or chocolate mousse. Although it’s thick, it spreads easily and applies in thin layer.

My Experience:

My normal skin care ritual is to first exfoliate and then apply face mask while the face is still wet. I felt slight tingling sensation when I first applied it. It dries pretty quickly say 7-10 mins and comes out pretty easily with wet cloth or lukewarm water (Preferable).

During my first application I was little apprehensive of oily residue as it feels oily & sticky wile application but thankfully I had no such trouble with it. It leaves my skin feeling very soft and squeaky clean and impart natural glow.

It is hydrating mask which can be used as emergency fix for dry patches on face. It is a deep cleansing face mask which doesn’t sting or irritate the skin or cause breakouts. Being acne prone person it was one of fear but thankfully it did not break me out.

It will suit all skin type and works well irrespective of the season.

I love absolutely everything about Hedonista face Soufflé. EVERYTHING!!!

Pros:

• Travel friendly
• Leaves skin looking fresh and smooth
• Makes ages skin look supple
• Imparts slight glow to skin.
• Reduces redness and uneven skin tone
• Moisturizes skin well
• Doesn’t leave oily residue behind
• Doesn’t dry out the skin
• Smells delicious.
• Suitable for all skin type
• Little quantity is required for entire face.

Cons:

• I hate tub packaging as it can be bit unsanitary at time. Wish it came in Tube packing

Overall thoughts: 

Hedonista face Soufflé is a great mask if you are looking to reduce redness and add a glow to skin. This is a perfect mask for skin with pigmentation. 

 Rating: 4/5

Recommendations: Definitely a must try

Additional Information : Rhassoul Clay Benefits and Uses

The name “Rhassoul” derives from the Arabic word for washing, “Rhassala.” Well-known for its incomparable ability to absorb impurities from the skin and hair and give the skin and hair highly helpful minerals.

According to findings from various studies Moroccan Rhassoul Clay lessens dryness, enhances skin clarity and elasticity and has extractive abilities (Removes surface oil and oil from inside and around clogged hair follicles ) that confiscate impurities and unblock pores, even stubborn blackheads resulting in a general smoothing of the surface skin.

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Benefit Go TropiCORAL Kit: Review

So recently I broke my Sephora virginity by visiting the newly open Sephora in High street phoenix mall. I’m so happy that at last Sephora has opened in Mumbai. I know its old news but as you guys know by now I’m lazy so sue me…It was still exciting for me to go there. Coming back to point, I picked few products from the most Coveted brand Benefit

If you want to try couple of products from benefit but do not want to spend a bomb on them or if you are not sure if it will suits you then Benefit has come up with awesome solution to it. It’s Kit. So basically a kit consists of various deluxe samples of their popular products. I got their kit in Benefit Go TropiCORAL.

It contains below products:

So this is what the Kit looks like.

It also has a small look book inside.

Price: 1800 INR (I think, not sure)                                              

Qty: 4 ml of cha cha tint & high beam, 3 gms of Coralista Blush & 6.5 ml of Ultra Plush Coralista lip gloss

Packing: 

I love its packing. It’s somehow beautiful blend of being really cute and exceptionally sturdy, which makes it extremely travel friendly. The tint & High beam is housed in small sturdy plastic bottles with good applicators.  Coralista Blush is embedded in the kit itself but can be easily deported if need be. Applicator is of good quality but a bit scratchy. Ultra Plush Coralista Lipgloss comes in plastic tube that has nozzle which helps it to apply the product easily.

My Experience: (With each product individually)

Benefit Chacha tint:

It was probably the first tint I ever knew about. Benefit describes it as mango tinted lip and cheek tint but in reality it’s a nice orangey - peachy shade which looks quite lovely on the skin. I have fair to medium skin tone and it gives appearance of a nice radiant looking skin. It makes my skin look naturally flushed like after a good workout. As it is a tint it works in very subtle way, but color is definitely buildable. .

It dries very quickly so need to blend it fast else it will give patchy finish. It has very impressive stay time; it lasted for 5 hrs in such humid climatic condition of Mumbai. As the name suggest it’s made for lips as well, but I prefer to wear it on cheeks as it dries my lips and then look extremely patchy and gross.

All in all I really like it for days when I’m too lazy and want to look natural but put together.

Benefit High Beam

As per the description provided by Benefit, it’s described as luminescent skin enhancer which is lot of fancy words for a highlighter. It is a very nice satiny pink color highlighter which works well for people with pink undertones. My skin has yellow undertones hence it looks bit off on my skin, which is a shame as I had lot of expectation from it. It blends beautifully and gives very subtle glow and makes you look radiant and glowing without making you look like disco ball.

It comes with applicator wand which is of good quality and does a good job. I was bit disappointed with it but will definitely find a way around the pink undertones.

Benefit Coralista Blush

One of benefits bestseller, Benefit Box O' Powder CORALista blush described as a warm, coral- pink cheek powder (Blush). It has gold micro shimmer which again gives very nice glow to the skin. I like to use it as blush and highlighter all in one package. My inner lazy is always happy with such product.  It would suit most of skin tones, but darker skin beauties might have trouble with it showing up as the color is very neutral and only gives naturally flushed skin. It has pretty good staying powers and fades evenly after 3-4 hrs.

Mini Powder Brush

The Benefit Box O' Powder CORALista blush is accompanied with this small cute brush, which is only decent thing about it. It doesn’t really work and is very scratchy to the skin. So basically, a waste.

Benefit Ultra Plush Coralista Lipgloss

Last but not the least is Benefit Ultra Plush Coralista which as per benefit is a sheer coral color lipgloss and they could not have described it better as it really is a very sheer gloss. It adds just a hint of color to the lips but a lot of gloss. Since its gloss it’s not at all long lasting and disappears in 1 hrs. Max. It has sweet smell but not over the top and is not very stick in texture. Personally I’m not a fan of gloss so will definitely give it to some once else who would appreciate it better.

Overall, I think it’s a fantastic kit as it lets you try a lot of products without having to buy them individually, and I loved almost all the products from it.

Swatches: 

L-R: Chacha tint, High Beam, Ultra Plush Coralista Lipgloss, Coralista Blush

Pros:

Value for money

Travel size kit

You get to try sample products

Products cater to all your cheek needs

Really amazing products.

Cons:

None.

Under White Light

Under Natural Light

Rating: 4.5/5

Recommendation: I feel it’s a must buy, as you get to try products at fraction of cost.

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