I have been reading soooo much about this lipstick online and yet they have not yet launched in Delhi NCR. How can they be a hit already? Good PR?
I bought the shade Peach Club from asos.com. It cost me around 900 bucks including customs which is the price in India.

It is a lipstain which is a mix of lipstick and lipgloss. The consistency is that of a thick lipgloss which is completely opaque. The applicator is doe foot and applies well. 

The shade is a coral... mix of pink, red and orange. 

 

It applies comfortably and becomes matte in a few minutes... stays on for 4-5 hours and then fills into the fine lines. It becomes dry and I generally have to apply a lipbalm on top which turns it glossy.
It stays on for light eating and drinking but starts to come off after a heavy meal. Thats when it looks bad and needs a touch up or application of lip balm.

This is what it looks like immediately on application.

All in all, am ok about it. It does feel dry after a few hours and enters into fine lines which is a big con. But the color lasts since it becomes a stain after application of lip balm.
I don't plan to buy any more of these. 

I went to Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj for some work today and came across MAC's new collection. Below is my haul:

Top to bottom:
- NYX lipstick in Fig. Bought it from Sephora for Rs 360. Online everyone has been raving about these and I decided to try them out
- Inglot lip brush. MRP Rs 1000. I like Inglot brushes. They are cheaper than MAC and good quality
- MAC lipstick Up the Amp. MRP Rs 1100 from Playland collection
- MAC lipstick Candy Yum Yum. MRP Rs 1100 from Playland collection
- MAC long wear waterproof brow set. MRP Rs 1300. This is part of a new collection. The collection has gel liner for the brows, brow sets and mascara.

The brow set has to be applied over the brows (of course) with a mascara type wand. I am using a NARS brow pencil gifted by my sister right now and previously was using Oriflame's super cheap brow pencil. Have decided to try something new.

It is brown in color and has a mascara wand. Can I use it as a mascara too???

Left to right: MAC candy yum yum, MAC Up the Amp, NYX in fig.

Candy Yum Yum is a neon pink. I had to stand and recollect for 10 mins if I have this shade but then decided that I don't. It is a very neon pink and instantly brightened up my face. It is matte and has a crayon like consistency.

Up the Amp is a berry colour. I do not have this shade and decided to buy it.

NYX fig. An everyday colour... nudish... coral... for daily wear.

Swatches: Top to bottom : NYX fig, Up the Amp, Candy yum yum

MAC has launched a new collection this week. This is the mailer I received from the company few days back. Generally, the mailer comes in a week earlier and so I had expected the collection to be launched in stores next week. MAC launches new products on a Thursday and everytime I go on a Monday to check them out, they are already stocked out... or all the products are not launched in stores. Which is quite a bummer. Makes me think they launch like 5 pcs of each product.

Here it is... it has:
- bright lipsticks in matte and glossy
- cream blushes in pop colours
- liners in super pop colours like blue, orange, pink. I loved these but didn't want to spend on something I will wear rarely
- lipglosses
- eye pigments

Do check it out.

Vellvette is now fab bag and I received the January bag on Saturday. Yes!!! That late. What I have started doing is... I order the bag once I read the reviews... and if I like the products being sent. I paid for it on 31st Jan and received it 15 days later.

It came in a tacky pink colored bad quality bag. I am going to throw it away.

The products:

- Nyassa Alphonso Body butter: 50 gm. Rs 300 approx. Price of full size (100 ml) is Rs 600.
- Naked potion lotion: Rs 310 for 30 gm. Price of full size (200 gm) is Rs 1300.  Shelf life is only 3 months
- I love... Strawberry face mask 2 sachets 15 ml each: Price of full size (3 sachets of 15 ml each) is Rs 450
- NYX diamond sparkling red lipstick full size: Rs 600

My current body moisturiser is not suitable for winter and I wanted to buy a body butter. I am happy with this product. It smells fabulous... just like Alphonso mangoes... and is very moisturising. But it is expensive... Body Shop body butter costs around 1000 bucks for 200 ml and this is Rs 600 for 100 ml.

I was excited to receive the mask and used 1 sachet today. It is very thick and difficult to apply. It is very sticky too. It took a lot of time to dry. Well, atleast I got to try something new.

Naked is a brand launched by supermodel Lisa Haydon. I am looking forward to trying this out... even though it is expensive. This product does not have any preservatives. The only problem is I need to store it in the fridge... and the shelf life is only 3 months.

I hate this product. I love NYX and its products. But why has the team sent a full size of a shimmery shade??? What a shame!!! I cannot use this. It is plain tacky.

Overall, I like January bag. The current strategy of reading the reviews and then ordering the bag is working for me. 

I have been gone a long time but it has been busy... with my gym/jogging/dance sessions, work and family, I rarely get time. There are a few empties I have been saving up for reviews and finally I am going to blog about them.
I have stopped buying the Vellvette/Fab bag. Instead, I read reviews of the bags and then decide if I want to buy one.
Last month I received a mail from fab bag team with an offer- I could pick a shade of nail paint of LA Splash in the bag. There were some nice glitter shades and I decided to buy the bag. I ordered for sparkling rose which is a pink glitter shade. The bag arrived with another shade altogether... and I was pissed. The only reason I ordered the bag was the nail paint. On complaining the correct shade was sent but it took its own sweet time and the response from the team was not serious. I am surprised that IIM grads can screw so bad. The quality of service has definitely fallen.
Anyway, here is the bag and the products:

A lot of bloggers have liked this bag. I don't know why... the quality is bag. The previous bags were of a softer material while this one is very rough.

And this is what the bag contained. I received the glitter nail paint later ...

Kama Ayurveda Lavender hair conditioner: I have been using this for the last 2 weeks and I like it. It does its job... and smells quite nice.

Anna Andre nail polish remover: This was the bonus product in my bag. It is ok... nothing great. The Colorbar nail polish remover is so much better. Why is the team sending products worth Rs 79 is beyond me. They might as well send across Lakme nail polish remover.

LA Splash nail paint Blowfish Violet and Sparkling Rose: The nail paints are ok kinds. They take a lot of time to dry and chip within 2-3 days.

MUA lipstick and gloss: I have not yet opened this.

I am not too happy with the bag and its contents. I am not sure it is worth the 500 bucks I spent. 

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 cannot believe I have to eat my own words and wisdom acquired in 2 years, within a few days.

Here is what I said:

There is no lipstick which stays on all day...
- A matte lipstick will always be drying... it can either be lasting or be moisturizing
- Eating and drinking will always make the lipstick fade

I just found a lipstick with
- Stays on all day
- A matte lipstick which stays on all day
- Eating and drinking does not make it fade

Yes... it exists.. and I did not know it.... until today.

Unveiling, Mac Ronnie Red Bright Red... from Archie's collection. 

I was not very impressed with the Archie's collection... MAC comes out with so many collections it is difficult for them to be innovative everytime. I wanted to purchase the Pearlmatte face powder but they have not yet reached the stores.
What I loved was the packaging and was determined to buy atleast 1 lipstick. Ronnie Red seemed to be the most appropriate. It is priced at Rs 1100.
I applied it for the first time today at work. Unlike most women I don't shy away from bold lips at work... it brightens up my day... makes me feel confident and I actually look forward to waking up each morning and going to work. 

The packaging has Veronica on it with small hearts. It is adorable.

It is a blue based red... the base is a pink. It looks red in some lights and bright pink in others. More swipes make it more red. The swatches (above and below) have only 1 swipe. It is super duper pigmented and completely matte. 

It does not dry the lips (not one bit) and I generally need to apply a lip balm every hour. It stays on and on and on. While drinking tea I expected the rim of cup to have a bright red stain (which can get embarrassing and look yuck). I barely saw any marks on the tea cup. I rushed to the washroom after my meeting and was pleasantly surprised to see the lipstick still there. There was slight fading in the centre after lunch but not enough for me to touch up.

It easily stays on for 6-7 hours after which it fades into a pink and leaves a stain.

I love it.
Pros:
- Long lasting
- Matte
- Does not fade after eating or drinking
- Not drying... very comfortable to wear
- Cute packaging

Cons:
- None

This is a collector's item.

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

Bloggers in India (and not Indian bloggers) are in awe of Mac. I think its a decent brand... has more hits than misses... BUT it does have misses and the customer service sucks (more on that in some other post).

My general strategy is to go to Inglot, look for what I want, incase they do not have something I go to Mac. Nowadays, I only purchase from Mac when they have new launches. New launches is something that Inglot needs to do more often. But, Inglot is a better and cheaper brand.

Few months back I was looking for a maroon lipstick... the kind I have seen celebrities sport. They look very classy with an all black dress.

I could not find it in Inglot and headed to Mac. The BA pushed me to buy Sheen Supreme Good to be bad. I couldn't find it in the store recently so maybe it was limited edition or something.

It has a glossy black packaging, very different from the regular one. MRP: Rs 1400

Below are the pics:





It looks brown in the tube but is maroon in the swatch.





The top is uneven 'coz the lipstick hit the cap.



Maroon with a base of pink



It is extremely moisturizing and was melting during the summer in my drawer. It applies very unevenly. Thankfully, does not stain the teeth. Being so moisturizing, it barely lasts and does not look that great. Also, it needs to be applied with a lip brush. There is no way you can use the tube on your lips directly.



Hate... hate... hate... hate so much that I bought the same shade in pro longwear. When dark lipsticks apply unevenly it looks very bad and noticeable. A dark lipcolor needs to last long and look good.

Will never buy again.