Hi.... I visited the Bobbi Brown store in Delhi last weekend. How could I not??? It was all over the blogosphere. It is not a brand I was familiar with... plus I thought it is very expensive. I bought an orange matte lipstick and then went back the next day to buy a gel liner. I am loving both.

Below are my recent purchases:

L'Oreal True Match BB cream:

I have been waiting for this... finally, found it in Shoppers Stop. I tried it on today and loved it. It blends well and gives a glow to the face. It covers imperfections and has very good coverage. I could easily replace my foundation with this. It lasted all day on me. This is my immediate view. If it changes, I will do an in depth review. Rs 550.

Bobbi Brown grey gel eyeliner:

I like grey liners... they suit my eyes better since I have small eyes. Black just makes them seem smaller. After my Inglot grey gel liner dried up, I didn't buy another one. Bobbi Brown eyeliners are very famous and I wanted to try one. The brand has shades of brown and black. The liner has shimmer and I didn't purchase it on my first visit. I went again and tried it on. The shimmer is not visible and so bought it. When I apply it, it looks almost black but in the course of the day it looks more grey. It stays on and on. Plus the liner is not streaky (like MAC). Excellent purchase. Rs 1540 (yep... more expensive than MAC)

Bobbi Brown lipstick:

I have too many pinks and reds. I don't like buying same shade of lipstick in different brands. What is the point? I have developed an obsession with orange recently. Since I am fair I can get away with it. I picked up an orange matte lipstick from the brand. It is good... stays on all day... is not drying. The only problem is it settles into the lines at the end of the day and needs a touch up after eating. Rs 1300

Inglot mousse foundation:

Due to the heavy rains, I am very careful about make up. The last thing I want is my foundation dripping onto my clothes. Yuck!!! I apply MAC Studio Fix foundation these days. I was just checking out stuff at Inglot and loved the texture of the mousse. It felt soft and so silky. It feels very light once applied. I have stayed away from mousse after my horrible experience with L'Oreal Mat Morphose (literally threw it away). It gives light coverage and covers pores. I will wear it for a week and then review. Rs 1000

Inglot lip pencil:

I have 4 of these and I bought one more. Love them. Don't remember the price.

I was disappointed with the April Vellvette box and did not post the details here. Everytime they send me a lipstick it is this odd colour. I love bright colours and here they were, sending me boring silver (who wears silver?)... shimmery pink ... etc.

I love May'13 box... it is my favourite.

This month's theme is "organic".
The products:
- Clinique foundation
- Flormar lipstick
- Brocato shampoo
-Brocato treatment

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Foundation
It has 4 sachets of the foundation which is awesome. I will be able to use it 4 times atleast. I have received shade 3 which should match well.
The foundation has SPF 15, fights sun damage and repairs it from within.
I am going to try this tomorrow itself.

Flormar lipstick:
This is a full size product priced at Rs 700. I am so happy with the colour. Finally... something bright. It is very moisturizing and glossy. It feels like butter... and is softer than the Revlon lip butter. I may need to store it in the fridge.

Brocato Shampoo and treatment:
The shampoo and treatment are priced at Rs 375 (sample size) each.
They are sulphates and parabens free.
I am looking forward to trying this tomorrow itself.

Also, I have received a coupon for 15% discount at Nature's Co and and a complimentary spa. I am going to redeem it over the weekend.

I cleaned out my make up drawer... I generally do that every few months. I took the hard decision to throw away some products. I don't know the expiry so thats not the reason for throwing them out.

Here goes-

1) Body Shop Oil Free Balancing Foundation SPF 15: I was looking for the minerals foundation since I read good reviews about it but I bought this one instead. The shade does not match... but worse is that it is not waterproof. Even if I drink water and it drips on my chin... the foundation comes off. AND you can see the foundation... its horrible.

2) L'Oreal True Match Minerals Foundation: Shade is very light and I get boils/acne on my face when I apply it... so much for using minerals make up. Horrible

3) Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation: I bought this from the Parcos at the Delhi airport... I have an oily skin and like to pick up anything "matte". Very low coverage... comes off in a few hours... looks horrible

4) L'Oreal Matte Morphose: Another bad foundation from L'Oreal... such a waste of money. It makes me look white... it was so embarrassing when my colleague remarked that I am looking very "fair"... high time I threw it away



5) Calvin Klein lipstick/gloss: Ordered it from strawberrynet.com. Of course, the shade does not match... remember to check swatches online before purchasing next time. The shade is completely unwearable and I do wear bold as well as subtle shades

6) Inglot gel liner grey: This was my first grey liner... It has dried up... been less than 2 years. Strange since my L'Oreal and MAC gel liner are going strong. I have been adding duraline to use it for months now. Decided to throw it away finally.



6) Maybelline vivid and smooth pencil liners: Bought them long back... smudge like crazy... too soft... too light... don't last. Have not used them in years



7) Lord and Berry gloss in silver: Do not use silver...

8) Anna Andre lipstick: Received it in Vellvette box... horrible shade... too sheer

9) Chanel gloss: Sample pack: Transparent and weird

10) Maybelline water shine diamonds lip gloss: Not a fan of sparkly glosses

11) Maybelline lumi touch highlighting concealer: Too light for a concealer... do not need a highlighter... its too light

12) L'Oreal glam shine gloss: Another sparkly gloss... in the binC

So, I have picked the make up that will be used this entire week.... Instead of mixing brands, I have picked everything from MAC.











Products that will be used:

- Mac prep and prime primer

- Mac prep and prime lip primer

- Studio fix foundation

- Black and grey liner

- Brown gel liner

- Lipsticks- a brown nude, pink nude, orange, pink

- Mascara

- Concealer

- Colorbar eye lash curler (cropped out)

- Oriflame eye brow pencil

Beauty boxes are a rage in the USA and UK. It is a very unique concept and hats off to the person who came up with it. Consumers pay a small amount for a beauty box every month. Basis their preferences and skin/make up routine (filled in a questionnaire), a box with sample sizes (and sometimes full sizes) of premium brands are sent to them. They can try them out and purchase them as and when they like.

What is the benefit to the consumer?

- Access to premium and new brands available in the market right at home

- They can try the products before buying a full size one

- Extremely cheap



What is the benefit to the companies who give their products at nominal price?

- They can get consumers to try their products... this is important for expensive brands. Brands like Guerlain, Clarins, Keihls etc are generous with giving consumers samples to try at home. After all, a person will not spend 2-3k on skin creams/make up till they are absolutely sure

- Creates word of mouth. Most beauty bloggers subscribe to these boxes and blog about them. They try products, review them on their blogs. These reviews encourage other readers to buy the products

It does not lead to jump in sales immediately but over a period of time.

In India, the Blissdiscovered box was supposed to start last year but got cancelled 'coz they could not get companies to give sample. Thankfully, Vellvette box has succeeded. This is my 3rd or 4th box and I have already paid for the Feb'13 box. Jan'13 box is my absolute favorite... 'coz it has premium brands- Dior and Benefit. Nyassa is a new to me but I love body scrubs.











The box contains:

- Dior Capture Totale One Essential Super Skin Boosting Serum- 5 ml

30 ml of this costs anywhere between Rs 7835 to Rs 9000. The reviews online claim its a miracle product and improves skin texture and reduces lines in 2 months. The effects are supposed to be visible in 1 usage. 5 ml will cost around 1k. No, I did not pay that much for the box.

- Nyassa Belgian chocolate scrub- 40 gm

200 gm of this costs Rs 950 so the price of sample is Rs 190. This is a new brand for me... I have never heard of it. Another advantage of the box... I get to try new brands which  would otherwise not be available to me. I used the scrub today. It has been to be used on wet skin on body. The granules dissolve in the water and moisturize the skin. The smell is of chocolate. Its a good product and I will be able to use it 2-3 times more.

- Benefit Flawless Oxygen Wow Brightening Make up- trial size vials of 2 shades

I am so happy to receive Benefit. I have read so much about the brand but the products too expensive. If only there was a Sephora in Mumbai where I could try out the brand. The great part is that there are 2 shades of foundation- very light and light. The light one matches me perfectly. I used the foundation today and liked it... may even purchase it in the next few months. Its on my radar now.





Btw, the box costs Rs 399 and a coupon for Rs 50 discount is given with online payment. You have to pay in the beginning of the month, fill out a questionnaire and the box comes by the end of the month.

Here is the link: http://www.vellvette.com/

I am not getting paid for the review (though I will be happy if I am)... You can also buy products from the website.