tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86577334124377213062024-03-28T04:53:07.946+05:00The Beauty FindsA blog dedicated to cosmetic cravings and retail temptationsThe Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-22687786330586693072016-04-20T17:04:00.001+05:002023-06-06T01:24:10.718+05:00Highlighters & Illuminators Collection - Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dearies, I would like to thank you for the love and support you guys offer in the form of feedback, queries, and just a little makeup chit-chat. It serves as a consistent motivator to keep on doing this. I don't get the writer's block often, but I do feel that repetitive product reviews sometimes make me lose my steam. Here's to hoping that your cooperation lets me continue with the current posting momentum. I have GBs worth of pictures and swatches lying around in my hard-drive that need to be edited and reviewed. Certain edited images look and feel 'dated' as well. Especially since I have used point-and-shoot camera for those. I'm resolving to post ALL of those before taking newer photographs :-) How about that?</div>
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On that positive note, let me share the peek into a part of my highlighter & illuminator collection. It has been updated now since I let go of a bunch of these and acquired new ones. I would describe this part as being more of a drugstore version (with a couple of exceptions). So, who wants recommendations and reviews for the highlighter options out there. Read up here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMebD2UkBbjWgxy_dGU_yYGk5XvaB0E1k7J6QISmUJ7f9zqNyiNoxA1JaudLlQ6ffIGkhnl9GGPAAhGnX06iebn6DTLQZDtfHFtRTCnrfMlDYRruX4HpZx5OpOTfqdQegwxwnkCg5XroQ/s1600/DSCN1570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMebD2UkBbjWgxy_dGU_yYGk5XvaB0E1k7J6QISmUJ7f9zqNyiNoxA1JaudLlQ6ffIGkhnl9GGPAAhGnX06iebn6DTLQZDtfHFtRTCnrfMlDYRruX4HpZx5OpOTfqdQegwxwnkCg5XroQ/s640/DSCN1570.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you are not distracted by the glowing pans in the picture above, let me bring your attention to a simple explanation and possible differences between a HIGHLIGHTER and an ILLUMINATOR. If you follow beauty blogs, Youtubers or makeup updates, in general, some of your might be aware of the subtle differences. I might add that there is NO clear or definite 'explanation' for these. These terms are used interchangeably quite often, so there is no compulsion that you stick to what I say. From my understanding:</div>
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Highlighters are powder, liquid, mousse, cream or hybrid products meant to add sparkle and glow to your features. Illuminators are meant to perform the same function in a more subtle fashion. Illuminators are usually cream or liquid forms that can be mixed with other products like moisturizer, foundation, sunscreen, serums, concealer, etc. Just like I mentioned before, there is no fixed definition and all makeup that you own is multi-purpose. You can (and I do) apply my "illuminators" on bare skin or sometimes on top of makeup like a highlighter and the results are just what I desire. Highlighters were previously differentiated as being more 'obvious in-you-face kind of glow. However, now you can find subtle highlighters or even hybrid products which double as a finishing powder while adding an iridescent look to your features. These hybrid products receive more marketing right now, but they are not new in the makeup world. My Mom's powder compact has remnants of glitter content from almost 20 years ago. One of these days I will put up a picture of the antique makeup item that we have with us. </div>
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If you were to ask - DO I NEED A HIGHLIGHTER? </div>
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I'd say, well, would you be happy if you won a billion dollars? Yes. The answer should be a resounding yes. Those going 'meh' can indulge in a one-on-one with me :D</div>
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Yes, you do need a highlighter. You can select the shade, finish, glitter/shimmer content, intensity, state, packaging and function suiting your makeup & skin preferences. At times, you don't even need to have a separate product. <span style="text-align: justify;">You can even use a finely milled eyeshadow to work as a highlight at times when you don't have any other alternative at hand. Certain eyeshadow textures allow you to get a beautiful finish/ A famous dupe of Limited Edition and much-raved-about MAC Whisper of Gilt is a Kiko Water EYESHADOW and a lot of makeup enthusiasts who could not lay their hands on WoG or would not like to pay an exorbitant amount on the WoG available at eBay and Amazon - can safely indulge in the Kiko dupe. I don't own it as of now, but will update you all if I ever grab that one. </span><br />
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Featured in the post today, we have the following products from my collection:</div>
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<b>1. Sleek Contour Kit - Medium:</b> It is a two-pan palette for contour and highlight. The highlighter is finely milled champagne shade with micro shimmer and rose undertones. I will try to refrain from using the superlatives, but I do gravitate towards Sleek's Contour Kit quite often. Its highlighter is something I didn't expect to love because the first swatch from it was lacklustre. The surface was slightly hardened as compared to other highlighters and I did not find it adequately buttery in texture. It did become more convenient with frequent usage. It is easier to apply it with fingers when I am in a hurry or use it with a brush for diffused glow. As I continued to use it, I learnt how it is meant for more sophisticated glow than the in-your-face Philips bulb light :-) This does not have chunky glitter, so I find it appropriate for a subtle highlight, especially down the bridge of the nose. As my skin is oily, certain highlighters emphasize the pores or make my face look like a slickball, when overdone. Thankfully, it flatters my skin tone and does not make the shine on the face seem overdone. It lasts well through 4-5 hours, with my frequent face touching habit. Perhaps longer with a fixing spray. The kit is your best bet, if you are new to contouring and require a powder product. Just grading the highlighter here - <b>Grade: B+</b></div>
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<b>2. Beauty UK Baked Bronzer:</b> Although the product is called a 'bronzer', it is a medium bronze-gold finely-milled highlight powder with a duo-chrome effect on the medium-to-tan complexions. I purchased this on a whim since I did not have any darker shades of highlighter in my collection. Technically, the purpose of this to make the skin have sun-kissed look, but the desi complexions can very well use it as an effective highlight that does not leave a white-ish cast. The most memorable usage of this was on an Eid look when I recreated the Natasha-esque glow. I prepped my skin with Strobe cream, layered a liquid illuminator without any glitter, topped it up with NARS Orgasm powder blush. Sleek Rose Gold can bring more oomph and intensity. Then I lightly "shaped" my cheeks with this bronzer. I guess it exceeded the 100 watt look. I was so "highlighted" and light-reflecting that I could serve the purpose of a fat concave mirror on the blind-corners of a road :3 It's very finely-milled, so you would not have to worry about this emphasizing your pores. I have not compared side-by-side, but I always thought this could double as a Betty-LouManizer's dupe... may be, in terms of texture and glow. The J-Lo effect is at your arm's reach now ;-) Definitely, one of the best bronzers at the price less than PKR 1,000. <b>Grade: A</b></div>
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<b>3. MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder: </b>It is silver-pink highlighter powder with cool undertones. This was a part of my wedding haul and reached me just a day before my wedding. Since I had packed up my other makeup and based on sheer convenience, I would reach out for this in my handbag. It accompanied me on the honeymoon as well and I can recount its no-fuss effectiveness through the lovely photographs. It is certainly not the best bet for a warm-toned person like me. Incidentally, my facial skin is relatively less yellow-toned than the rest of my body, so this kinda blends to give a frosty look. The texture is not as soft; somewhat scratchy. An up-side is that it has bare minimum fallout. It did not break on me during the rollercoaster rides and a wild speed-boating experience. That ought to count, no? It's travel friendly and I reached for this quite often, still barely affecting the top texture. I used very light brush-strokes or finger-blending for this. Either way, it diffused well on my skin. The longevity was not the best since it used to sit atop my skin and gradually fade away as I would touch my face or use cell phone. Even in this price, I have tried better alternatives. <b>Grade: B-</b></div>
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<b>4. Makeup Revolution VIVID Baked Highlighter in Peach Lights: </b>It is a silver-pink highlighter similar to MUA with stronger peach undertones that the camera did not pick up. I have reviewed it previously in details, so I would reiterate the same: It has a softer texture. It does blend well and doesn't leave a white-ish cast at all. Warm-toned beauties can use this as well if they're going for makeup look with silver or cool undertones. It would definitely be more appropriate for cool-toned ladies with pale-medium complexions. I applied Peach Lights very lightly on the high points of my cheek-bulbs and it looked nice over a flush of pale-pink blush. It stayed on for over 4 hours, until I removed it myself. It didn't do anything to cause or control my oiliness. It didn't settle in my pores, but whenever I wore this, I always opted for pore-filler or primer underneath. You can see it has pinkish color itself in a heavy unblended swatch, but that doesn't show when applied. Between MUA and MUR, this would definitely be my pick.<b> Grade: A-</b></div>
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<b>5. Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Illuminator: </b>It can be described as a rose pink and gold duochrome liquid illuminator without any chunky glitter. I got this a couple of years back in a Finding Mr. Bright Kit that I reviewed in the blog as well. Following its success, I have gotten the full-sized version of this and the love stays strong. <span style="text-align: left;">It gives the pearly finish of naturally highlighting the contours of your face. Benefit suggests to mix a pea-size amount of this pearlescent goodness in your base (moisturizer, bb cream, foundation) for a dewy finish. However, I use it directly on my cheeks for a subtle daytime dewy finish with or without a base. It fades a little after 4-5 hours (depending on the weather and your makeup base) and you can always retouch it to the desired intensity. </span><span style="text-align: left;">This has become my staple in daily makeup because it complements my facial features and flatters the skintone A LOT! One of Benefit's finest!<b> Grade: A</b></span></div>
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<b>6. Makeup Revolution VIVID Baked Highlighter in Golden Lights: </b>It is a white-pale gold duochrome highlighter powder. As I mentioned, the VIVID Baked Highlighters have been discussed on the blog previously, so don't mind me sharing the same thoughts here too: <span style="text-align: left;">I am smitten by this beauty. Internet is raving about this already. The buzz is that this is a dupe for NARS Albatross. I don't own one, so can't say anything about that yet. If you own both, do let us know your thoughts! The comparison with Mary Lou Manizer is what I am asked about often. To give you a summary, Mary Lou is more champagne and buttery than Golden Lights. That still doesn't downplay the gorgeousness that is this highlighter! </span><span style="text-align: left;">You need just a light hand a little amount for it to rock your face into dewy-awesomeness. It blends like a dream and stayed intact through the crazy BBQ heat and windy weather. I blotted my face often, so it might have faded a little because of that, but gave me a wear time of over 4 hours nonetheless. I took it off myself, so I have yet to see if it lasts even longer than that. For the price, you can't beat it. Especially when these don't have loose glitters in them to make your pores prominent. This one I wore with/without foundation and primer, yet never faced an issue of making my pores look like craters. </span><span style="text-align: left;">One beef though, the packaging appears sturdy-ish. However, the clasp or closure of the Golden Lights highlighter doesn't "click" shut to my satisfaction. It might just be a packaging flaw of that particular piece because the Peach Lights packaging doesn't have this problem. Also, it isn't so loose that it would break or open within my bag. Still, it is something which makes me feel I should be careful. If you have kids or clumsy-thumbsies, you need to take care of this. <b>Grade: A-</b></span><br />
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<b>7. The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer Luminizer: </b>It is a finely-milled soft champagne highlighting powder with golden undertones. There has been a comparison post of Cindy LouManizer & Mary LouManizer that I have covered on my blog. Do check that out. Since I do not own Cindy now, I included Mary Lou only, and my experience with Mary Lou-Manizer is aptly described as "awesomest". The texture was buttery smooth without any glitter flecks (which are a deal-breaker for me). It was pigmented and intense, so I had to apply ever-so-slightly on the high points on my cheeks. Initially, I felt comfortable applying and blending this with my index finger without any complaints. Later on, the stippling brush would give nice diffused glow. I mentioned using Mary-Lou for my own wedding functions. It ticks all the right boxes for me, but is it a universally-flattering highlighter? I am afraid, it's not. There seem to be certain question marks with it. One, it is reported to leave white-ish cast on people with skin-tones NC35+ or medium-tan. Given the fact that majority of our population lies towards the medium-to-tan complexions, it might not be the best bet for dusky dames. Another issue which I sometimes noticed was that the Mary-Lou applied heavily would emphasize pores in the absence of the base or primer. However, it did was not a big issue as I would lightly dust it with a fan brush and the pigmentation showed up nicely on my cheeks. Another thing worth watching out for is that the highlighter is prone to breakage. Don't let this take a fall! The Cindy arrived broken to me. Mary Lou is still going strong. <b>Grade: A</b></div>
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<b>8. Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in Pink Light: </b>It is a silver-pink liquid illuminator that gives a pearlescent glow without any glitter particles. It is my favorite illuminator for frosty glow to the skin. As I told, my skin is neutral-warm on the face, the overly cool-toned items do not work nicely on me. This just blends well while imparting an obvious glow. I use it on bare skin on good-skin days when I wish to look "lit". It was my aim to use this Instagram term at least once in my highlighter post :D All righty O! I have tried mixing Revlon with the foundation and it gives better results when i do it with relatively heavier foundations like Estee Lauder's Double Wear and MAC Studio Fix. I have tried mixing it with primers and I plan on doing a post on that too since the results vary. It still is a solid product that would be an underdog in the world of illuminators. Not my staple, but something I would wish to keep in my stash. <b>Grade: A</b></div>
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<b>9. NARS Illuminator in Super Orgasm: </b>It is a pink-gold duochrome illuminator liquid with noticeable chunks of glitter. I lamented about this particular thing in my 2015 Product Disappointments. Recounting my experience, I'd say that I have a love-hate relationship with this. It is one of those things that you hold very dear because it's expensive and find different ways to make it work for you. My bestie, F, is a highlighter junkie and that is the ONLY makeup item she wears/likes. She was a big fan of e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip and wanted something higher end in a liquid form with warmer undertones to use it as highlighter + tint for cheeks. Since she was fixated on it being a liquid and there were rave reviews about NARS Illuminators along with the swatch pictures, we chose Super Orgasm. The first time I swatched, it was a tad too glittery with no tint or peach-pink color. My friend is a cool-toned NW15. She applied a couple of times with fingers and felt the same. It vanished, leaving visible chunks of glitter. On her sister, however, NC35 this looked more flattering, but did not last well. Over time, its consistency changed to being more liquid-y. She passed it onto me to use and finish. I tried incorporating it in my routine, but couldn't bring myself to like it beyond the swatch. With great sadness, had to pass this on. I have heard great things of Copacabana Illuminator, but I am wary of trying that out after this fiasco. <b>Grade: D</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVyqNz632rDSnHIMErP4G-IZmDpZi2RpSn3RAtd3PshD8iRZs2VicZYV0zE3eqk-NZrjFjC7T0DsQ7SxhPr1N-OZ0qTM6ZCVwEcnqp7qLv4WbFBJSvpk8tAr8HaKB4izQwYL3ipyngE0/s1600/DSCN1596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVyqNz632rDSnHIMErP4G-IZmDpZi2RpSn3RAtd3PshD8iRZs2VicZYV0zE3eqk-NZrjFjC7T0DsQ7SxhPr1N-OZ0qTM6ZCVwEcnqp7qLv4WbFBJSvpk8tAr8HaKB4izQwYL3ipyngE0/s640/DSCN1596.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Lou-Manizer - Golden Lights - Undress Your Skin - Peach Lights - Sleek Highlight - Baked Bronzer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAaQECXH8xi5OCPAKhqWsYiPwJkdaQkFHhV4TdHKZ12QodsTEbFw9mUjtK0GcjVWlGBlPtzYr2mEce-fx1kONYM_TDiNyYZ58ogyIFMyylWQDTq1cmsDys2Uu0vYH2orZ5srqGMmTWSg/s1600/DSCN1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAaQECXH8xi5OCPAKhqWsYiPwJkdaQkFHhV4TdHKZ12QodsTEbFw9mUjtK0GcjVWlGBlPtzYr2mEce-fx1kONYM_TDiNyYZ58ogyIFMyylWQDTq1cmsDys2Uu0vYH2orZ5srqGMmTWSg/s640/DSCN1600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mary Lou-Manizer - Golden Lights - Undress Your Skin - Peach Lights - Sleek Highlight - Baked Bronzer</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB5XSkLBslx4p3q7RGbjq0IuLZ_w2dufgNtDhwgxjgO1fIY43204FLCxaLMbdJqR7paXreBURN_WjRh9Mp4BuzQJoOtwdDbJORvm7zEubnq1LcOov-IoJONc3iZCX2PGC9PywK3gv_qw/s1600/DSCN1604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB5XSkLBslx4p3q7RGbjq0IuLZ_w2dufgNtDhwgxjgO1fIY43204FLCxaLMbdJqR7paXreBURN_WjRh9Mp4BuzQJoOtwdDbJORvm7zEubnq1LcOov-IoJONc3iZCX2PGC9PywK3gv_qw/s640/DSCN1604.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Orgasm - Pink Light - Girl Meets Pearl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV12a9YExYX0l161YlifpDfiaFGM-dlEfvniPilTEKgKrqk0JtJjuyYy4BFF-It9B93OoA6PeOcKEUd-nHeIUM8KZUXB0-BfdCWeSTIlxy2AVUgK4M7ph1hPg6y5Rw6PZYMyGGDWS62A/s1600/DSCN1606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV12a9YExYX0l161YlifpDfiaFGM-dlEfvniPilTEKgKrqk0JtJjuyYy4BFF-It9B93OoA6PeOcKEUd-nHeIUM8KZUXB0-BfdCWeSTIlxy2AVUgK4M7ph1hPg6y5Rw6PZYMyGGDWS62A/s640/DSCN1606.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Super Orgasm - Pink Light - Girl Meets Pearl</td></tr>
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These photographs were taken from my point-and-shoot camera under not-so-flattering lights & focus. I am salvaging the photographs collected over time, so I would request your patience in the future posts with lower picture quality :-) Once the stash and backlog of these end, I would only be sticking to DSLR shots :P<br />
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It's a relatively dated post and I have almost doubled this number of highlighters, so there will be a Part II real real soon <3 Just trying to stream-line so much more for you all! Hoping that you liked the first installment.<br />
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Would love to know your feedback - which highlighters do you love in your collection? Which ones are you looking to try out next?<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia<br />
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-86652534387064468562016-04-13T18:44:00.001+05:002023-06-06T01:24:16.607+05:00Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hello, loyal readers and 'patrons' of the blog! I spot a couple of new folks too, hey to you guys. What might look like an abandoned blog to you is just a testimony of how I need to organize my life :-D Won't harp on about the how's, why's and what's right now, but I've had the first "major" wedding to attend after my own and our family's last - so it had been busy. After that hiatus, it took a while for me to recover from the plethora of things that had piled up - both at home and at work. </div>
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The up side of this is that I got to use many products that had been lined up. I've gathered my thoughts on what I need to say about them. The first and foremost on my list has been something ANTI-AGEING. It is a topic that I am asked about quite often. Family members, friends, and blog readers want to know about different things like the best age to start anti-ageing, the best products, the best splurges, the drugstore alternatives, the natural products, and so forth. I am in no way an expert, so I won't pose like one. To be honest, it is difficult to give a definite answer to this, so I am on the quest to find better responses and trying on different products to gauge their impact on the skin. I am on that side of the fence where the ageing effects haven't quite kicked in for now. The products I tend to use are more of the 'preventive' sort for me in the early 20s. That being said, I include my Mother Dearest in such experiments because being the graceful 40+ lady, she can evaluate the practical effectiveness of the products in a better way. </div>
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Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum happened to be one of the recent products that we tried. At a time, we only incorporate one anti-ageing product, keeping all other skincare routine the same, so it helps in experiencing the impact of the products a little better. It is one of the higher-end products. Let's find out if it worked the magic:</div>
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Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir is from a luxury British skin care line. Elemis claims that effective ingredients make the serum a potent concentrate targeted towards plumping, smoothing, and nourishing the mature skin. What the main ingredients are and what they do:</div>
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- Anti-ageing Tri-Peptide: helps to visibly fill out wrinkles for plumper and smoother skin</div>
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- African Birch Bark Extract: enhances the synthesis of collagen and prevents premature ageing due to oxidative stress</div>
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- Red Seaweed Extract: is rich in plant sterols, thus stimulating drainage and microcirculation</div>
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- Padina Pavonica Extract: increases moisturisation, firmness and elasticity of the skin</div>
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- Hyaluronic Acid: helps to improve skin texture and provides instant hydration</div>
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- Camelina Oil: is rich in omega 3 fatty acids that help to limit trans-epidermal water loss and provide superior moisturisation</div>
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Another major claim from the company is that the clinical trials spanning over 30 days reported 79% of participants feeling that the super serum improved their fine lines and wrinkles. </div>
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I'd be honest, among the ingredients mentioned, I had only heard a good deal about the Hyaluronic Acid. It's hard not to notice this being a buzz-word in skin care, especially anti-ageing one. This is a naturally-occurring substance in human bodies and one of its many benefits is that it helps retain moisture content in the skin. That's a sought-after feature as the mature skin tends to dry out and loses its plumped-up look. Replenishment of hyaluronic acid helps in better water retention, damage repair, and restoration of collagen effectiveness. I was fairly optimistic about the usage of this elixir. Naturally, my Mom would have been in a better position to test these claims, so I sought her help. </div>
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Let me indulge you in some 360 degree shots before we get down to business about this fancy elixir</div>
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Elemis recently upgraded of this product as being an improved version in terms of packaging and formulation. There is not much information or independent reviews available for this one because it is a fairly new product with availability through premium channels. Starting off with the packaging and bottle design, the product comes in a minimalistic cardboard package design that stays true with the luxe feel of other Elemis products that I have tried in the past. Inside, the bottle is a 15ml heavy plastic-metal hybrid material with pump dispenser. The first thing I noticed was the bottle was considerably thinner and smaller than what I expected seeing the cardboard box. It's a plus if you travel often and like to keep this in your handbag. It requires minimal space in that regard.<br />
Another potential downside was that the packaging was opaque - so I couldn't tell how much product I had used up. With tubes and transparent (or semi) bottles, you can always tell if you need to plan the replenishment.<br />
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I gave the whole briefing to my Mom about how and when to use this as per directions on the box. She stood there, silently judging me like "I gave birth to you. I brought you up. I know how to handle a simple pump bottle with serum, genius" :-D<br />
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She and I used it twice a day during colder months in Lahore. As a quick reiteration, I have a combination skin that leans dry during winters and very oily in summers. My Mom's skin is similar, except that hers has grown considerably drier as she's aged. Her skin stays normal in summers with perhaps a little shine on the t-zone. In winters, she requires adequate moisture retention for her skin. In terms of skin care, she keeps it basic with a Pond's Miracle face wash or Dove Soap and an occasional usage of L'Oreal Hydrafresh, Clinique Dramatically Different, or Oil of Olay moisturizers - depending on the availability. Mine gets a little more elaborate than that. Won't do any name-dropping here since I am not consistent in my product choices and their frequency. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer remains the only constant for me.<br />
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The product description and directions ask for shaking the bottle well before dispensing the product. The first time I used it, I didn't follow that and the product came out in a consistency where something water-based and oil-based are separated. It literally was the first pump only and in subsequent usage with proper pumping, didn't face that again. Given the high price and less quantity of the product being used on a 'sharing' basis, I'd only use a pump-ful of product in one go. My routine was less than regular, but my Mom followed through twice a day - once in the morning after face-wash and at night for the bed-time skin care. It was a clear liquid with smooth texture and runny consistency. I tried capturing it in the camera, but the auto-focus won't pick it up properly. Presenting a collage for you to give an adequate representation of what I am saying:<br />
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We would massage it into our facial skin in gentle upward circular motion, avoiding the eye contours. On my skin, the greasy residue would stay for a while before getting absorbed. That would happen almost every morning and I'd be left with those grease-marks on the phone screen, if I were to touch my face within 30-50 minutes of its application. It wasn't convenient for me to use it in daytime, so I switched it into being a nightly thing and did not face any oily residue the next morning. It would get absorbed nicely and my skin would inexplicably look fresher the next day. It was not the brightening or super plumped up look because as I explained before, my skin is not showing any visible signs of ageing on the face except the genetic hooded eye fine lines and that area wasn't recommended for this serum. </div>
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Let me narrate my Mom's experience which was more consequential. She has used Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, L'Oreal Revitalift, and Pond's Miracle Cream previously. Among those, she appreciated the Olay Regenerist product as it primed her skin beautifully and gave a smooth and slightly airbrushed look. She has natural blemishes and freckles on her otherwise clear skin, so that impact was noticeable. With Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir, she witnessed remarkable albeit short-lived change in the texture of the skin and the plumping quality. Unlike me, her dry mature skin was more receptive to the greasy content and that did remain on the top of skin - but for few minutes only. She was able to forego the use of moisturizers. Beyond its absorption, she would experience subtle tightening of the skin that remained very noticeable to her. It would make the cream foundation apply very easily. The consistent usage that lasted almost 3.5 weeks, she could find considerable improvement in her skin hydration levels, despite the Lahore winters. Did it make the wrinkles go away? No. There was an overall improvement in the nourishment and plump-ness of the skin, but the wrinkles are not reversed. The brand did not claim to deliver these benefits, but just for the sake of audience's clarity - there was no anti-dullness, blemish or age-spot correction effects on her skin. She did however experience the glow on her natural skin with an airbrushed look and the high-cheekbones that catch the light effectively. It went beyond the Micro Scuplting cream by Olay, so the hydration, firmness and improved texture claims hold true for Elemis Super Serum.</div>
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Her concern was to find something preferably fit for the eye contours as well as carry SPF for daytime usage since she's never kept up with copious amounts of products for skin care and would prefer an all-entailing product. Till then, this remains her favorite out of ALL that she'd tried before. That, of course, comes at a hefty price tag. It might not be the universally-suitable in terms of its affordability. Being said, it is a luxury beauty item and the price point remains aimed towards that target market. Is it the best that is available in the market? No. Is it that best that she has tried? Definitely yes.</div>
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Elemis Pro-Collagen Super Serum Elixir is launching in Pakistan at the retail price of PKR 9.820/- It will available at Springs, Scentsation, Amethyst Spa and Mubashir Khan Salon in Karachi and Alfatah in Lahore & Islamabad. Stay tuned to <a href="https://web.facebook.com/ElemisPakistan/" target="_blank">Elemis Pakistan</a> for upcoming launches and an amazing set of products, if you wish to indulge yourself in the luxury beauty items <3</div>
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I would like to know if you have boarded the anti-ageing train. What products would you like me or my Mom to try next? Would love to gather your feedback in the comments below!</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; font-style: italic;">Disclaimer: This post may contain PR samples given for review. The opinions expressed are unbiased & honest depending upon my experience.</span></div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-2206484898545925132016-03-03T17:54:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:09.416+05:00February Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey, beautiful people! It is almost spring season and before the Basant touched base with Pakistan, the PSL fever is running strong. Did you find yourself completely caught up in the craze? I thought I will be harder to sway since I am not too keen on sports. ... but it had me. It totally had me! We should give due credit to the efforts to revive the cricket spirit in Pakistan.<br />
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Oh, and we have had an overdose of RED through the Valentine's Day. Did you guys celebrate? I had a quiet midnight detour to Subway for sandwiches - haha, and a surprise rose and balloon :D It was a surprise since we had exchanged the gifts prior to the V-Day and was primarily occupied with my Sister-in-Law's wedding events.<br />
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The #30DaysOfMakeup self-challenge was going strong and I will update you all on that in the next post, hopefully. Till then, let's have a look at which products made it to the February Favorites:<br />
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<b>MAC Lipstick in Chili </b>- The users describe it as something of a dark red. I do find that it has red undertones, but predominantly, it looks more like orange-brown on me. It probably was one of the first MAC lipsticks I got in my collection. It reminded me of mid-90s when I would watch my Mom sporting a similar shade. This month, I had an ongoing #30DaysOfMakeup challenge for my own self. In that, I tried different lip colors and daily makeup usage for at least one item. It has been a wonderful experience which I shall pen down separately. On fine morning, I took out this lip shade and worn it in multiple swipes. Not only did it speak volumes of professional finesse, but also stayed put for over 12 hours. Yep! More than half a day. I did not use any lip primer or any special technique for applying this. Just the good old direct swipes from the lipstick bullet. I sipped green tea, munched peanuts and corn, drank water multiple times, pursed and pressed my lips, unintentionally wiped my mouth with tissues (lightly), and just led a normal work day. It transferred in the beginning of the day, but then reduced to more of a stain. I glanced at my reflection at a store display mirror in the evening and was surprised to see the color going 70-80% strong. It stayed put until I used Simple wipes to get my makeup off at the end of the day. That alone earned it a special spot in the Favorites <3<br />
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<b>MAC Lipstick in Impassioned</b> - It has been a month of rediscovering MAC. The preamble to me using the MAC lipsticks is same as above. Another "transforming" experience was with Impassioned. I do need to say that I tried different MAC lipsticks from my stash through the #30DaysOfMakeup, but there were just two which made a lasting impact on me - Chili and Impassioned. So, this one is a bright pink-coral shade with warm undertones. On me, the coral in the lipstick becomes more pronounced. I never quite understood how my lips or the skin absorb certain undertones and intensify the other. Let me know if you feel that's a thing or am I being too particular. Okay, so Impassioned - I had been avoiding Impassioned for quite some time since I am not too keen on its coral impact. I decided to give it a shot (when I eenie-meenie-mynee-moed aiming at the MAC lipstick holder in the drawer, lol). For the first couple of hours, I was too aware of my lips. It transferred tremendously, but the next 10 hours, its balmy feel died down and it became like a rich pigmented stain. The pink became more obvious and I couldn't help but appreciate how flattering it had looked. It brought on a warmth to my cheeks and turned into a comfortable bold. Definitely one of my good-lipstick days :)<br />
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<b>DMGM Photo Finish Concealer in Shade 02</b> - It was an impulse grocery trip purchase while I try to test different concealers within affordable and high-end range(s). As my aim is to test the concealers vouched for by different people, I brought this one home in a shade that has strong medium-pink undertones aimed towards covering dark circles. On many levels, this is not the best concealer out there. I will elaborate on these pointers in a separate post. I love about this is the moisturizing creamy effect under the eye area with medium-sheer coverage. Sadly, my dark circles are not fully concealed by it and I find it to be on the sheerer side. So much so, that it cannot adequately cover the orange correctors underneath. However, I enjoy the natural look that I get and I can sport this throughout the day without any creasing. It is a good buy for those with minimal dark circles and medium complexion.<br />
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<b>Tarte Maracuja Oil - </b>I have not yet explored the benefits of Maracuja Oil as listed on Tarte website because you need to incorporate the same in your routine for over a couple of weeks to feel any noticeable difference (or the lack of it). I was on the lookout for a drop or two of oil to mix with my foundations during colder weather. The quantity and drop-dispenser has been the most helpful in controlling the right amount of product that I want to mix in the foundation. So far, I have tried oil mixing with Estee Lauder, Masarrat Misbah and MAC foundations without any complaints and it does make the finish luminescent enough come across as dewy and healthy. I cannot comment on the skincare benefits as of now, but I did has not caused any breakouts, so all's good on that front. I will update as the weather changes and my skin becomes oilier.<br />
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<b>Real Techniques Blush Brush</b> - I wonder why I have not mentioned this in the rave reviews before. This brush makes my blush application easy peasy. I don't have to fret and switch my brushes for different formulations. It works perfectly for cream, powder and mouse blushes. I tend to apply my liquid or lacquer brushes my fingers. If need be, this works well for sheering and blending the blush till it is wet. I like my blush pigmentation to be strong, so the issue with such intense color payoff is that they are harder to blend into an even finish. Real Techniques Blush Brush in dense dome-shaped bristles ensures that you are able to pick the right amount with a light handed and be able to be get a diffused look of rouge on your skin. A thumbs-up for me through the years.<br />
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That is it from my side. Let me know of your favorites this month and which ones of these have you tried - how has your experience been? I would like to know it all right here. Bless me with your love and comments.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia </div>
The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-86987040739167387412016-02-09T11:54:00.001+05:002023-06-06T01:24:16.792+05:00My Colourpop Collection - Review & Swatches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Buckle up, sweet-peas, we're in for one heck of a ride!<br />
I had been meaning to do this for a long time. You would have seen me briefly discuss Colourpop products in my 2015 reviews. I also shared a few swatches over my social media - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thebeautyfinds" target="_blank">Facebook</a> & <a href="http://instagram.com/thebeautyfinds" target="_blank">Instagram</a> - and that intensified the review requests from my lovely readers. This is the first 'overall' review of its type at The Beauty Finds, so I hope I am able to do justice with it.<br />
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Despite being the new kid on the block, Colourpop has created quite a lot of waves in the world of beauty. So much so, that the ripple effect reached right across the ocean (and land) to Pakistan. </div>
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The first time Colourpop got my attention was through an Instagram hashtag. At that time, they had launched quite a few lip products in collaboration with famous beauty gurus. I noticed that the Colourpop had US-only presence through its exclusive webstore. Across their offerings, there was a $5-everything price-point. At that time, their product range was limited to eyeshadows, pressed pigments, lippie stix and lippie liners. It seemed like a niche brand with a variety of very bold and unconventional colours. It has garnered quite a lot of attention since then. I am difficult to sway when it comes to eyeshadow singles. I never bought eyeshadow singles before, but I made an exception for Super Shock eyeshadows. What do you know, soon after, 3 eyeshadows & 2 lippie stix made me a 'Colourpopper' :-D<br />
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<This place shall serve as a tombstone of a sad joke I inserted and then removed><br />
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Moving ahead, I want everybody to know that I do love Colourpop. There is no suspense in that. The brand, as I said before, gets featured in my posts and favorites. Throughout this mega-review, I will try to list down the goods, the bads and the ugly as impartially as I can possibly be. Shall we take a look at the picture-heavy swatch-fest that is going to follow:<br />
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<b>Colourpop Cosmetics - What You Need To Know</b></h2>
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To those who are new to this brand, Colourpop is a makeup brand based in California, United States. It is exclusively available <a href="http://colourpop.com/">Colourpop.com</a>. The product portfolio of Colourpop now includes, eyeshadows, lipsticks, lip liners, liquid lipsticks, blushes, highlighters, bronzers, contour powders, and eyeliners. There are limited edition collaborations and sets of different products coming in frequently. The regular 'single' items are priced between $5 to $8. The value or limited edition sets, however, have a higher price-point for multiple products. Colourpop offers free shipping beyond $30 and in my experience, there have been no additional taxes in the final checkout (for delivery to US) from the brand, so yay! The products are claimed to be cruelty-free. As for the 'vegan' claims, there are certain exceptions to this that the brand highlights in its FAQ page. You can also email their customer service to inquire about the Carmine or other ingredients if it is something you are particular about.<br />
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Initially, brand's availability was limited to US and its territories. They have now expanded their shipping to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc. They have a quirky marketing style, which - thankfully - is not over-the-top. I believe the social media contributed the most to its immediate rise to fame. Those Instagram-perfection looks made many curious to try their products. One great thing that I'd like to mention, Colourpop does update swatches on different skin tones that might give you fair idea about how it would look on you. They are still arm-swatches and edited to a degree, so it might not be a replacement for the self swatches in-store... but, a good alternative, nonetheless. Since they don't have any store location as of now, webstore swatches and those from your own research are what you can rely on. In Pakistan, Colourpop is available through pre-orders and in-stocks of cosmetics pages on the Facebook. Oh, and now you know what 'specialty' you can ask for when a relative/friend of yours offer to bring anything from the US!<br />
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In this review, I shall share my experience with the brand for the following items:<br />
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- Super Shock Eyeshadow<br />
- Lippie Stix<br />
- Lippe Liner<br />
- Ultra Matte Lip<br />
- Super Shock Cheek - Blush & Highlighter<br />
- Creme Gel Eye Liner<br />
- Creme Eye Liner Pencil<br />
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Yep, that is a whole lot of Colourpop for one post. I did consider breaking it down into parts or for each category, but then, a complete one-post review might help some of you to pick Colourpop products from a overwhelming array of gorgeous colors. Let's have a look at each of these in detail. Oh, and I must mention that I have kept the swatches with minimal retouching of any sort, so what you see is 98% raw image with perhaps just 2% of cropping/tilting/shifting and no color filters. I did, however, take the pictures in ample indoor lighting with flash (in most cases).<br />
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<b>Super Shock Eyeshadows</b></h2>
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Colourpop Super Shock Eyeshadows retail at $5 for 1 oz. Presently, all Colourpop eyeshadows are present in individual packaging. There is no palette form, yet. The collection versions of the eyeshadows are also packed as 3-6 individual eyeshadows bundled together. Colourpop markets its formula as something that needs to remain securely air-tight for its 'magic' to remain intact. It is not possible in a palette, I believe. It could be one of the reasons they're refraining from palettes. I am venturing an educated guess here, though.<br />
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Packaging wise, Colourpop Super Shock Eyeshadows come in a thick white plastic twist-up pots. The plastic is not flimsy, but adequately sturdy. Colourpop advises to firmly close the twisting lid of the eyeshadows to keep the texture of the eyeshadow at its best. The deep pots may be deceptive. The product does not run all the way down to the bottom. Instead, there are shallow pans - just like of any other eyeshadows - that sit atop in the plastic pots.<br />
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I am jumping quite a few hoops here, but I so want to comment on the texture of the eyeshadows. Even when there is a variety of eyeshadow in different types of finish, the texture in the pan remains fairly consistent. Super Shock Eyeshadows are soft enough to be classified as "cream" eyeshadows. A little press on the pan will make you get the bouncy/cushiony feel. It is quite soft, so that does make it prone to breakage, the pot were to take a fall. The soft texture makes the color payoff amazing. A downside for the softer eyeshadows is that I am super careful about carrying them in my bag - I rarely do that, by the way. Heck, I even open the lid as gingerly as possible. Because of this, I have only used Super Shock Eyeshadows when I have ample time and seating arrangement to get ready, so that I don't encounter a fumble & tumble situation. If you usually do the makeup on-the-go, I can't comment on how well it will hold up. Some reviews mentioned that the formula of the eyeshadows changed and dried up a little. I have not encountered any such problem so far, the oldest of mine is from a year ago. Still applies the same.<br />
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Colourpop claims that depositing the color onto your eyelids is best done with fingers. I agree. For shimmers, metallics and ultra-metallics, that seems to be the best option. The softer texture does make the colour payoff intense, overall. On the flip side, it does disturb the embossed pattern on the top of the product in the first few uses. If you continue using fingers, the top layer flattens in a way that I find it harder for the brush to pick up the product. In such case, the brush is to be swiped and pressed multiple times on the top layer of the eyeshadow, causing a mess. Moreover, the deposit through finger-method wastes more product in my experience. The pigmentation transfers intensely on the finger-tip and once you rub it on the eyes, only 60% of the product will transfer. For a second swipe, you will need to the run the finger on the shadow again. Hence, the wastage keeps happening and you'd need to wipe the finger, eventually. I have read of complaints where users are unable to get the right amount on the brushes and then transfer them on the lids. I have not faced such issues because Sigma eyeshader brush does deposit good amount on the lid. I use MAC Fix+ to dampen the brush for greater payoff of shimmers. For blending, bothe Real Techniques and Morphe eye brushes work just as well.<br />
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I have hooded eyes, so I only apply the shimmery shades on the moving part of the lid that doesn't run right up to the hood. I never needed to apply primer underneath this for the color to show-up, but I do try fixing methods for greater longevity. Due to the texture of my skin and the shape of my eyes, I do experience certain cracking of the layered eyeshadows. Shimmers, in general. do transfer on the hood of my eyes. Since the Super Shock eyeshadows are creamy, I do tend to apply minimal amount of them, so that they don't settle in crease or transfer much on the hood. I will elaborate on this in the individual reviews down below. One word though, I have taken the points off all of these with the super care that they need in handling and the ultra soft texture prone to breakage. They are a stellar product, but the 'layer creasing', 'wastage', 'application' fix explained above apply to almost all of them:<br />
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I own a total of 9 eyeshadows from the Super Shock range. I have carefully selected each of these depending upon a million online swatches and what I need in my stash. I find the metallic and ultra-metallics an absolute JOY in terms of their finish and pigmentation. There is certainly something about a shimmer or metallic eyeshadow in full-bloom that takes my heart. I do love one of the matte eyeshadows from their range. They are some of the better matte eyeshadows that I have tried till date. I do hope that that they make the packaging more convenient without foregoing the "goods" of their current formulation. I could use them to be a little firmer though. Still, I have tried to incorporate a variety for better reviews. First up, let's have a closer look at the swatches and grades of these three - Hammered, Moonshine, and Roulette.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammered</td></tr>
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Hammered looks like an olive-gold shade on the website. As a thumb-rule, I always see the color on the website and imagine whatever it is shown there, it will turn out to be a shade or two "darker" in real. Similarly, Hammered turned out to be this molten black-gold color with definite olive undertones. I have only used this on the lid and it does photograph well to show the olive color better. It catches light beautifully and I love that it is packed with shimmer particles that do not travel all over my face. In texture, it is smooth and buttery. The swatch below is shown with one finger swipe only. I do need to use the fixing spray and a tacky primer on the moving part of the lid for longevity beyond 4-5 hours. Without them, it does last for 2-3 hours beyond which you may experience a little creasing/fading. Despite its flaws, I am a sucker for the shade and will continue to wear this in glam smokey looks.<br />
<b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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Moonshine is a wood-brown eyeshadow with gold shimmers. The shimmer particles in Moonshine are less dense. It does give you an option to use it on the lid or perhaps as a transition shade on the crease. The sparse shimmer does spread a little over your face. Nothing significant, though. The brown color brings a nice warmth to the natural brown eyes and it does the eyeshadow more wearable if you like the safe neutrals with a little kick for the semi-formal or formal occasions. Its texture is a tad firmer than the other counterparts and I did not experience any significant creasing once layered evenly over the lid for about 4-5 hours. The vibrancy of the eyeshadow did go down a bit due to humidity and oilier lids. It might not be a favorite of mine, but I do see myself reaching out for it.<br />
<b>Grade: B+</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGAQdTOuCLlNRJ_1qOYYMkb4YwpdDs2kxciHQuwZsjjhJhxGqL-ZSth3N53sY-jtQC_A8YSygEUDn14KV72geH1gzgA3EIJ583V_rx0zXVEfyPvw_DXDzb3ZME0I6I-jzougjskV-JGo/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGAQdTOuCLlNRJ_1qOYYMkb4YwpdDs2kxciHQuwZsjjhJhxGqL-ZSth3N53sY-jtQC_A8YSygEUDn14KV72geH1gzgA3EIJ583V_rx0zXVEfyPvw_DXDzb3ZME0I6I-jzougjskV-JGo/s640/DSC_0104.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roulette</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Roulette is an intense jet-black matte eyeshadow. I was on the hunt for an intense black since MAC carbon swatches looked disappointing. I shortlisted this and a Makeup Geek eyeshadow pan. Since I was placing a combined order for Colourpop, I thought this will just be convenient at $5 a pop. It does have the smooth texture as the shimmer ones, but I feel it is easier to pick up from the brush. It is super-duper intense, so work slowly to blend this up. It didn't crease on my outer eye corners where the 'hood' effect is most pronounced. It doesn't grey-out on the lid, so I am usually quite careful to not smear it carelessly on the lid. Removing or correcting it might become a pain with the rest of the makeup already done. I did a light one-swipe swatch below and that does showcase its intensity which can be layered or built up to your liking. Definitely a must-have if you don't own a deep black. Just a tip, you can try layering sheerer blacks on a gel eyeliner pencil or creams for the intense smokey eye.<br />
<b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLoCj8qYZt256PLbF1BheQzN1hSeLbr6k6Q0WUDWZs-UTNV6_O7Lq-NiaOl6IIBfBF0s3mHUAkpS47WLanO2TAvl_dJJ3ODkMcgAjL4ZJwcK25_uJClcLBvhs9-KdTGbTfG30mzkHlcU/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLoCj8qYZt256PLbF1BheQzN1hSeLbr6k6Q0WUDWZs-UTNV6_O7Lq-NiaOl6IIBfBF0s3mHUAkpS47WLanO2TAvl_dJJ3ODkMcgAjL4ZJwcK25_uJClcLBvhs9-KdTGbTfG30mzkHlcU/s640/DSC_0105.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammered - Moonshine - Roulette</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvFm_25bs_djSFw-oPFfOFE_54zlA8iPInGY4nQk1M2l8rcWEXuGqcvDlsF0CEximyqx8NnAjXvhGEi-x53ntu40LLp8pjHMesVQ5xHOjkouwUwpfIPugWeJ8hN7pTRMLEr1O1KFYqis/s1600/DSC_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvFm_25bs_djSFw-oPFfOFE_54zlA8iPInGY4nQk1M2l8rcWEXuGqcvDlsF0CEximyqx8NnAjXvhGEi-x53ntu40LLp8pjHMesVQ5xHOjkouwUwpfIPugWeJ8hN7pTRMLEr1O1KFYqis/s640/DSC_0114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bae, Lace, and Coconut classify as the 'bolds' I have in my collection. This brand had some of the most eye-catching vibrant bold colors, if you are into them. I am not a vibrant eyeshadow fan as such, but these were calling my name. I have used them for a pop of color and over the lid in a smokey eye. Either way, they are very gorgeous and worth having in your arsenal when you're all about flaunting ;-) Let's have a closer look at their awesome-ness. Spoiler: Coconut swatches beautifully <3<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbKzDH900WR-P_Cq7MfJUcZ5z24GpkWhCgnDpd9r7jBqH5fQZb5E4MkJ1QTBiiF72QpvE_s0uyc6yCXL789xh3UdxPK07_ayWhyj6BVzZiwCkZh8xg61u45S5ftP6tCwY-UZKw4T76tQ/s1600/DSC_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbKzDH900WR-P_Cq7MfJUcZ5z24GpkWhCgnDpd9r7jBqH5fQZb5E4MkJ1QTBiiF72QpvE_s0uyc6yCXL789xh3UdxPK07_ayWhyj6BVzZiwCkZh8xg61u45S5ftP6tCwY-UZKw4T76tQ/s640/DSC_0116.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bae</td></tr>
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Bae is a duo chrome brown-turquoise with the teal glitter specks. I have had a similar shade in Wet n' Wild Comfort Zone Palette that I reviewed on the blog previously. I found the shade quite intriguing. MAC and Makeup Geek have similar duo-chromes in their collection as well. How I found it different than the Comfort Zone shade is that the duo-chrome effect is not as pronounced while the teal shimmer flecks are denser in this one. I have used it as a crease transition color - which is odd for me since I never wore glitter shades in the crease. This just made sense with the grey-teal look that I was going for and I used it as a layer over a more blended matte brown shade, the effect was gorgeous. It lasted almost 4-5 hours on me, but the glitter did fall out a little during my vigorous blending strokes. Still, a recommended shade for y'all.<br />
<b>Grade: B+</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiiQTYpn152-llGbERNe6up4CXTJ_PC1CPdRZmQMksNjAoIHea7HGJBu6nyGIVGf5UdhD9Yzr2wSO9HlWws5ikMUKbAMnVFoWP6gw_x5eZ8n_8Hr92i64kMi0P-x9X351XY5RQ4pzCkI/s1600/DSC_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiiQTYpn152-llGbERNe6up4CXTJ_PC1CPdRZmQMksNjAoIHea7HGJBu6nyGIVGf5UdhD9Yzr2wSO9HlWws5ikMUKbAMnVFoWP6gw_x5eZ8n_8Hr92i64kMi0P-x9X351XY5RQ4pzCkI/s640/DSC_0117.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coconut is described as a bright peacock teal by Colourpop. I had to stare at it for a while just so I can give an appropriate explanation of the color. Whatever the color is, I had my eyes set on it the moment I saw the pre-release swatches. This is the quickest I have added something to the cart :-) I mean just LOOK at it, damn! I have never quite appreciated or worn a blue eyeshadow before. There is something about my childhood and seeing an aunty don a royal blue eyeshadow on the lids with a matching blue dress AND jewelry along with the talon-sized bright blue nails painted with polish. Not to forget the blue chunky glitter in her hair. Yep, that description is about right. So after that traumatic sight as a kid, I had been put off with blue eyeshadows... until this one came along. I have worked it on my lower lashline as well as a pop in a smokey grey look. It looks wonderful and stays put very nicely. I didn't experience any fallout or spray of shimmer with this one. A total win!<br />
<b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcEf413hFDwjwqzQJhfvkGfKtU-BW88XHh_cABbnrOxmkAkRzmDS83azXkuoVFXNJU_VKhl4ZSXTqbEkvKwuzSzYbpqszHmXJQd2WpC3y10sZagXL6xuHErRPs1ngncipgKae6rbiD68/s1600/DSC_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcEf413hFDwjwqzQJhfvkGfKtU-BW88XHh_cABbnrOxmkAkRzmDS83azXkuoVFXNJU_VKhl4ZSXTqbEkvKwuzSzYbpqszHmXJQd2WpC3y10sZagXL6xuHErRPs1ngncipgKae6rbiD68/s640/DSC_0118.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lace is an interesting medium-purple with blue shimmer specks. The presence of blue micro-glitter does make it an interesting choice. Most of the purple eyeshadows that I have tried do not live up to the true purple shade as it is in the pan. When given a sheerer swipe on the lid, it comes off as a muted deep purple. As you pull off a more pigmented punch of color, it shows up as brighter purple with visible glitter. I have used it in a smokey neutral look with deep browns. It is an unconventional combo that paid off well. The eyeshadow had slightly firmer texture than the rest. A good pick if you are a purple fan.<br />
<b>Grade: B+</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa4m_6TUWDkLvhGBTtxOFE97M11Qtxn32UhyphenhyphenLTLtjSZjbivzKZTrl0-WkraxJ7ZDJMvPXbXiQsDKKa1DgDzpnu40OhlBCOEVc_UfQxXrPHpfzyqUcKTxvd7jyEBA0wgumqVIxQIp-hDM/s1600/DSC_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa4m_6TUWDkLvhGBTtxOFE97M11Qtxn32UhyphenhyphenLTLtjSZjbivzKZTrl0-WkraxJ7ZDJMvPXbXiQsDKKa1DgDzpnu40OhlBCOEVc_UfQxXrPHpfzyqUcKTxvd7jyEBA0wgumqVIxQIp-hDM/s640/DSC_0121.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bae - Coconut - Lace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwK4rOTn7fkZwF954mfmbChnF15kOVCpXLGiahHXqnIJ3OBp4ScYiu7wFha7DLRjSEXXRXM6fcQdjxPysLnCYla-juXDcDiTR5hvapbn_tLsrdO31abFhx3t4XdEuo8zNtQWpFCRk1sc/s1600/DSC_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwK4rOTn7fkZwF954mfmbChnF15kOVCpXLGiahHXqnIJ3OBp4ScYiu7wFha7DLRjSEXXRXM6fcQdjxPysLnCYla-juXDcDiTR5hvapbn_tLsrdO31abFhx3t4XdEuo8zNtQWpFCRk1sc/s640/DSC_0125.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coming onto the "staple" metallics one should have in their stash - Get Lucky, Glitterati, and Liberty. I see all the bridal looks with vivid metallics on their lids, it makes me want a similar effect without using loose pigments or glitter. If you don't have a silver/gold shade in your eye makeup stash and want to test the formulation from Colourpop, these offer the best start. They can be used more often and incorporated in different looks. No wonder, I find these to be the best of the bunch - as per my personal preferences <3 Too bad, the lighting and camera couldn't quite showcase how great these are. Do check out more swatches online to see how it looks on different skin tones. I have used this on my niece and it complemented her duskier skin tone so beautifully. Let's take a look at the swatches below:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UxRe2odQZiJ1h9oupEtatyN4otEXfqir_O4CNRKDLvuiUeXud4RMRf7kQ-OONWFzWszofZDjGfmLc_J39vjXNIz4tWbXqhtccJQndJE5Rh7q_JjHcXZO1AeSz6fR7EtpSgUIiFngksk/s1600/DSC_0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UxRe2odQZiJ1h9oupEtatyN4otEXfqir_O4CNRKDLvuiUeXud4RMRf7kQ-OONWFzWszofZDjGfmLc_J39vjXNIz4tWbXqhtccJQndJE5Rh7q_JjHcXZO1AeSz6fR7EtpSgUIiFngksk/s640/DSC_0127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get Lucky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Get Lucky is a medium-gold metallic shade. It leans warm, but definitely not the deeper gold color. I remember carrying it in my makeup pouch and I had to do a formal makeup look for my sister-in-law's impromptu engagement party. Unfortunately, my dress and jewelry were grey and this was all that I had. I put it on the lid and covered it up with a least pigmented shimmery grey eyeshadow in my SIL's stash and lightly patted a glitter eyeliner on top. People were asking me which parlor I went to and if I knew what color they used on my lid. This was the validation this baby deserved. It stayed put in the humid weather and my oily lid. Partially, it could be due to the sealing I had on the top of it. Still, I have used it a bunch of times afterwards too and it stayed nice and fixed. The oilier lids might make this slip a little, so you'd need a primer. Overall, a must-must-have.<br />
<b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWDvL01lU6QRB0PwphHmBafFpBDaz3dADnJA0F8JfOzz2ZuSWa_bVN9PnGKQfVGR2l8GSB6DXT2SPbDGPTneJezDOyWkadUjTrp5hUFR3sa8ipUpFTixdr_wM8g4TQItd8C0IGjbZsos/s1600/DSC_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWDvL01lU6QRB0PwphHmBafFpBDaz3dADnJA0F8JfOzz2ZuSWa_bVN9PnGKQfVGR2l8GSB6DXT2SPbDGPTneJezDOyWkadUjTrp5hUFR3sa8ipUpFTixdr_wM8g4TQItd8C0IGjbZsos/s640/DSC_0128.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glitterati</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Glitterati is a silver-grey base with lots of gold shimmer specks. This became my obsession when I was on the hunt for something that would complement my off-whites and skins without leaning towards silver or gold. This is perfection, in terms of the shade. When I first opened the pot, I did feel it had a chemical scent. None of the other eyeshadows had it. It was a turn-off, but that 'scent' did not linger and was gone the second-third-fourth times I have opened and used the pot. This does have very soft texture and amazing pigmentation. I have to be the most careful while handling it. I found it to be a little creasing beyond the moving part of the lid. More so than the others. Next time, will be trying it with sticky primer, perhaps. The gold spray does fall out a little. As beautiful as this shade is, I still love it with all its flaws and will keep purchasing its backups.<br />
<b>Grade: B+</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgILr6Qg91fUzxqTswIxM5NW69dGjf55zzVO69m891RoLZaocl8nzGIa1xuB_hiHnTEHtYdu9v80pnlj8LBT1mS4-WJW-653uvF9_GO5zWfE4_rO55qeaF35hn63TUgugqK-7vEsYREO8/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgILr6Qg91fUzxqTswIxM5NW69dGjf55zzVO69m891RoLZaocl8nzGIa1xuB_hiHnTEHtYdu9v80pnlj8LBT1mS4-WJW-653uvF9_GO5zWfE4_rO55qeaF35hn63TUgugqK-7vEsYREO8/s640/DSC_0130.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liberty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Liberty is your standard no-nonsense silver metallic shade that is almost a staple. It leans a little towards the cooler undertones that would work with all types of shimmery silver looks. Its formulation is more stiff than the other eyeshadows, but that does not affect its pigmentation. I wish other shades had the same formulation. It was very easy to show a swatch of it and it took one finger swipe for the magic to unlease ^_^ It applies with ease and stays put great without primer for over 5 hours. I don't do silver clothing/makeup much, but this does flatter my warm skin tone. Another one of my favorites.<br />
<b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJX7T5aVfro4aKv0cV7xRwyEl1Vz_Iv7g2rW2qhb6xiDl5LN7GaVH4AZlXWJt4lSC4vwglokhJoSDB23disGc5w27_vuSJZM-BZq6FSeLvOcYsxpCWWfq3rfO2-PXIgx65BL2MfCJK98/s1600/DSC_0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJX7T5aVfro4aKv0cV7xRwyEl1Vz_Iv7g2rW2qhb6xiDl5LN7GaVH4AZlXWJt4lSC4vwglokhJoSDB23disGc5w27_vuSJZM-BZq6FSeLvOcYsxpCWWfq3rfO2-PXIgx65BL2MfCJK98/s640/DSC_0131.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get Lucky - Glitterati - Liberty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I shall repeat - even though the Super Shock Eyeshadows did not get the best 'grade' points, I still find them awesome and would recommend Coconut, Roulette, and Get Lucky with all my heart. These do have shallow pans and the product wastage might use these up sooner than you'd wish so, but that is still a blow I am ready to take at the wonderful price point of $5 a pop. I sincerely wish that Colourpop finds out a way to protect their "magic" in the Super Shock formula and introduce a palette option. with a relatively firmer formula. If that were to happen, I would surely give the same shades an absolute A+<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ultra Matte Lip</b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UzN9qS0g_hNs20JMVEH8qnIhFttRjgmOk9TeTLKN4QFXkVJtIyBU9kXXftsPoHffxo0Yyep_rdz9xaNEGpRCy0KePRqwD42kWWHGcixvywQ6OA0iuDsUa12hHTf8fwZu38VQQ_IUul4/s1600/DSC_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UzN9qS0g_hNs20JMVEH8qnIhFttRjgmOk9TeTLKN4QFXkVJtIyBU9kXXftsPoHffxo0Yyep_rdz9xaNEGpRCy0KePRqwD42kWWHGcixvywQ6OA0iuDsUa12hHTf8fwZu38VQQ_IUul4/s640/DSC_0057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip was launched in 2015 and became one of the most-hyped products from Colourpop even prior to its release. Yours truly was among the ones hunting for swatches by policing the hashtags on Instagram almost every hour. A big sigh of relief was heaved by me when I got to know that they will retail at $6 each for 1 oz of product. It was impressive that they were releasing over a dozen shades in their first go to cater to everybody - wherever their preference lies on the spectrum. Since the original release, Colourpop has come up with a couple of dozen limited edition shades as well as additions to their permanent line. In the Holiday Season '15, Ultra Matte Lip became available in packs of "mini" (deluxe) sizes which became a hit for those who wanted to experiment with different colors or liquid lipsticks, in general, without purchasing the full-sized items.<br />
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Ultra Matte Lip claims to be a super pigmented formula matte lipstick that glides onto the lips to offer a smooth matte and long-lasting kiss-proof finish. The packaging is thick plastic tube with a standard doe-foot applicator wand that most lip glosses and liquid lipsticks have. It is not customized or shaped any differently than your regular gloss applicator to aid the application. It's okay, though. I feel it does the job just fine. You do need to use a lip brush or line with pencil if you wish to get a uniform application. All of the shades deliver packed punch of pigmentation and they dry out to become matte - super matte. As for the "smoothness", I felt that it varies on the type of layer you apply. I never felt the need to reapply these because they would fare well above the 6-7 hour mark. By the end of it, there would be a stain left with most of these. The stain starts to vanish from the inner middle of the lips beyond 8 or so hours. Sometimes even longer - if you haven't had much to drink or eat.<br />
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My biggest beef with liquid lipsticks has been the drying formula. They are being launched left, right and center. Yes, I have tried different brands and their formulations and I have used lip balms and lip primers underneath them. I have used glosses on top of the matte liquid lip colors and tried almost every trick there is in the book of liquid lipsticks. I will spare certain details of my experience and list them down in a separate post dedicated to liquid lipsticks.<br />
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In case of Ultra Matte Lip, the formula launched in the beginning was relatively drying. It would apply nicely and would not cling to any patches to make the wear worse. However, as it would dry, I would feel the natural crease and wrinkles on my lips to appear more pronounced. It was disappointing and the same hue & cry was raised by different MUA, bloggers and vloggers worldwide. That apparently amounts to something as the brand's subsequent releases had improved formulation - without them marketing as such. The newer shades definitely were more forgiving and stayed put like suede than cracking crinkly layer.<br />
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Just so you guys know, I still use the old formulation and have learnt to apply it. Just use the thinnest layer possible with enough product to give you opaque coverage. You know how we are conditioned to press our lips together with regular lipsticks to even out the coverage. Yeah. Don't do that with liquid lipsticks. Must fight the urge. In most cases, that disrupts the smooth drying layer of the lipstick and it becomes prone to flaking off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpODz3INvPZDBG5M71OCAjExk91RycoMDaS7QHqZ_-hhvtbQBdjOcW-R8JFCr5RwPrJUj0QTLjlxGhMxMjRWaBTHHoy-w86AeYcpnMxOGwxogqAvsNpkMH24d4NYtTfVk4XBo1LHymTc/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpODz3INvPZDBG5M71OCAjExk91RycoMDaS7QHqZ_-hhvtbQBdjOcW-R8JFCr5RwPrJUj0QTLjlxGhMxMjRWaBTHHoy-w86AeYcpnMxOGwxogqAvsNpkMH24d4NYtTfVk4XBo1LHymTc/s640/DSC_0150.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drive In - More Better - Scrooge - Mars - Creeper - Bumble</td></tr>
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Let's have a brief look and grade points received by each of the six shades that I currently have:<br />
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<b>Drive In</b> - It is a cool-toned medium purple with strong pink undertones. Those who love the purple lipsticks, but are not quite sure of how it would go with their personality/dressing - you guys, you should try this safe-bold shade. Depending on your skin tone, either the purple or the pink of this color be more pronounced. On me, its purple undertones become more evident. I love how the color goes with summery wardrobe of mine. It was one of the original shades and does dry my lips out a little. However, it gives a nice coverage and lasts well above 6 hours. <b>Grade: B</b><br />
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<b>More Better</b> - It is a deep berry shade with warm undertone. Man! This color, I tell you, is a keeper if you feel as strongly about the berry lips in winters as I do. Definitely one of the better formulations. I don't feel it to be drying on me like the others. It still has the traditional liquid lipstick feel, but I find its matte appearance to be more 'forgiving' than the overly dry-matte. I thought the application would be wee bit streaky, but thankfully, it wasn't the case. It does dry to become somewhat darker than the swatch, but I love it! It did smudge a little during the day as I would drink and eat. The stain was deep enough to last through the day. I guess the transferability is the price for more comfortable texture. Nonetheless, loving the vampy and mysterious shade <3 <b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<b>Scrooge</b> - It is a warm rose-pink shade with berry undertones. It sure is different from More Better, but on my lips, it looks like it belongs to the same color family has More Better's. Not that I am complaining.. but I did think I would keep one for myself and pass the other one along since the tubes also looked quite similar. I applied More Better one day and fell in love with it. I thought, Scrooge might be the one to go. However, the next day, I applied Scrooge and was wowed by it too. It is one of the better formulations and pigmentation. Looked absolutely gorgeous and lasted well through a very oily breakfast that I had. It did fade from the inner middle of the lips gradually - the same transferability as More Better. I couldn't bring myself to part from any of these two. Stellar colors <3 <b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<b>Mars</b> - It is a bright pink with red undertones. I am a red-lip lover, but bright pinks inspire me more. I had a real tough time deciding between Sundae and Mars while buying them. I have an array of bright pinks, so I wanted not to repeat any shade (lol, like THAT would be possible). Since I had selected Drive In which had blue undertones, I went for the warmer pink - MARS. The drying texture problems aside, damn! I love the color, the pigmentation and how magnificent it looks against my complexion. Would have appreciated more if it weren't drying, but it does have impressive longevity and lasts over 7 hours on my lips. <b>Grade: B</b><br />
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<b>Creeper</b> - It's a bright red with neutral-warm undertones. Under certain lights like the one this swatch is in, it comes off as warm undertoned, but on the lips it is true bright red. I was a little disappointed in how dry and wrinkly my lips look after applying it for testing purposes, but it was my husband who made the comment about how gorgeous the red color is. Gaining a bit more confidence, I wore it for a photo-session and long drive to the beach last year. Gotta hand it to Creeper, it crept up on me. The photographs were beautiful and I couldn't be more satisfied with how the color 'looked'. I still feel that its drying texture causes me to wear it less or with utmost care - but even with that impediment, I have worn this quite a lot last. <b>Grade: B+</b><br />
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<b>Bumble</b> - It is a flesh-toned rose pink color with neutral brown undertones. It was a love at first swatch. There were quite a few neutral-looking colors in the original release and I wanted one which is not as nude or pale as Donut because that type of shades call for a full-faced grooming and I usually wear just the lippie, unless it is something formal. I landed onto Bumble and does dry to be a little darker than the swatch. It was one of my last year's favorites because I got the most frequent wear out of this. It does have drying texture, but that is somewhat less than its counterparts in the original release. The wear time is impressive over 7-8 hours and then some. Definitely a must-buy for y'all! <b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwQ48HVFtoPq7cBUcSDuwWH3A3BsJEeWZNXD22tF0Bvb6UTCFJPV1lCGb9UtwnR_-UVaqo0ljjTQGzxJ2pxwJ_XumF9toRAdSH1GbNkNOUJFLwOnEvtYWzR35UAGfFCeuwmzoaEKCqR8/s1600/DSC_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwQ48HVFtoPq7cBUcSDuwWH3A3BsJEeWZNXD22tF0Bvb6UTCFJPV1lCGb9UtwnR_-UVaqo0ljjTQGzxJ2pxwJ_XumF9toRAdSH1GbNkNOUJFLwOnEvtYWzR35UAGfFCeuwmzoaEKCqR8/s640/DSC_0159.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drive In - More Better - Scrooge - Mars - Creeper - Bumble</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Super Shock Cheek</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMeJpHKoWYgf_bagvzA8GciQK9GEStn3wiMFSMoxjiRubCIAuTJzz9WrHGj-eFgU4mYda6qv4U42DSGgadddy2ZGNMy7HcgSZFxokp_-YzTvTFdObKiVaI76bGULG2X6CFvFJEOQNXbU/s1600/DSC_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMeJpHKoWYgf_bagvzA8GciQK9GEStn3wiMFSMoxjiRubCIAuTJzz9WrHGj-eFgU4mYda6qv4U42DSGgadddy2ZGNMy7HcgSZFxokp_-YzTvTFdObKiVaI76bGULG2X6CFvFJEOQNXbU/s640/DSC_0160.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Colourpop Super Shock Cheek retails for $8 for 1.5 oz of product. The product range contains matte and pearlized finish in blushes, highlighters, and bronzers. They were also a major release of the brand in 2015. Before that, cheek products were a part of limited edition collections, not available separately. When they introduced the permanent range (and subsequent releases), they made an impact with the wide variety of colors. The dizzying array of colors makes you take a while to decide which one should you pick. On the cheek, the differences in the shades isn't quite evident because it is supposed to be sheer and light-handed. Shades that are thoroughly different in the pan end up looking quite the same on your cheeks. I expected them to be super pigmented, since I had tried the eyeshadows already. Let's have an individual look at these and the experiences:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKBekfCmqhw00fdxj9HxHVx7Pb7YS_bdob3Fq7EBRYbHQDweeAn9tZr12utOvHzkflU491Ztkn_vT7s1WxEVkoxq-66anIsdK55o9FChc4lfDSSSe0c5pz79c9JxAjehZ3EotEClPz8E/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKBekfCmqhw00fdxj9HxHVx7Pb7YS_bdob3Fq7EBRYbHQDweeAn9tZr12utOvHzkflU491Ztkn_vT7s1WxEVkoxq-66anIsdK55o9FChc4lfDSSSe0c5pz79c9JxAjehZ3EotEClPz8E/s640/DSC_0161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I selected Fruit Stand, Wisp, and New Lowes from the Super Shock Cheek range. The blushes and highlighters come in the white plastic pot packaging identical to the eyeshadows. The sizes of the cheek range are bigger than the eyeshadows. The clear plastic inner of the twist-up lid lets you see the color in the pan. Colourpop recommends closing this properly to keep the 'magic' of the shades intact.<br />
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It is soft and a little spongey like the eyeshadows, but possibly firmer. Yay! I was worried that I would have to be as careful in handling these as I treat the eyeshadows - like a ticking time-bomb. I don't toss these around or mishandle them, but yeah, there is a level of comfort. I have travelled with one of these in my bag and haven't faced any problems yet. Preferably, these still are my stay-on-the-bed-do-the-makeup picks.<br />
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Pigmentation is remarkable with all three. Just like the website explains - you can pick the most pigment with the fingers. I did try that with the highlighter one and that works. Blushes I haven't quite applied with the finger, but I did swatch using the index finger. They are a bit messy, but the swatch tint remained even when I wiped my arm off with the makeup remover. Don't worry, they don't stain you much, just enough to let you know who's the boss in the pigmentation department :P<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3Am2Eio1dgSGi1UCnUrrkyF5ofGMalVf31COYshE7IUmK3hHvSyLeOSgIEzOc7tQvKHT8mSxK1IuBLjjbPv1R2hcETYKGnzvgD-KuZYjNBy6Yx0hUPweD6Vh2opuXwGwDNqlXvmHIdM/s1600/DSC_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF3Am2Eio1dgSGi1UCnUrrkyF5ofGMalVf31COYshE7IUmK3hHvSyLeOSgIEzOc7tQvKHT8mSxK1IuBLjjbPv1R2hcETYKGnzvgD-KuZYjNBy6Yx0hUPweD6Vh2opuXwGwDNqlXvmHIdM/s640/DSC_0162.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Lowes</td></tr>
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<b>New Lowes</b> is a berry shade with maroon / wine undertone. It is a matte blush, so you would not find even a hint of satin or shimmery finish. I did not experience any fallout from these in the pan yet. You might have experienced certain powder blushes being dry in texture or clinging to the peach fuzz on your face. That usually is a dealbreaker for me. I love how this diffuses on my skin with the little-st touch of Real Techniques blush brush. It is a synthetic brush that makes the pigmentation appear just right on my skin. Even on the bare moisturized skin, it flatters my complexion and lasts well through 5-6 hours. It is a cool-toned berry shade that looks luxe with all types of desi complexions, especially in the winters. I love it for office days when I am going for minimal eyes and lips. Highly recommended! <b>Grade: A</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi-DQ-qB0yRultU2dN30Y9at11m5NBpb5YSMwSpp5c0qqxPuKcBO12O-fayPeBdg8Oe2wqanArkVettFtN2UMAawGQpOY_8YcTOHy5jhvhh4bBt9EDvKK03UIpvt7FuqY573j2o6I5Q4/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHi-DQ-qB0yRultU2dN30Y9at11m5NBpb5YSMwSpp5c0qqxPuKcBO12O-fayPeBdg8Oe2wqanArkVettFtN2UMAawGQpOY_8YcTOHy5jhvhh4bBt9EDvKK03UIpvt7FuqY573j2o6I5Q4/s640/DSC_0163.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Stand</td></tr>
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<b>Fruit Stand</b> is a bright coral-pink shade with strong orange undertones. I know many of you would see the almost-neon shade in the pan, but don't let that scare you awar from the super summery shade that this is. There are different options similar to this shade in the original blush range by Colourpop. Some lean towards pink, others are more orange or coral. The website describes it as neon red orange and I can see how they might classify it as such. The matte shade, again, diffuses beautifully on the skin, with and without the foundation. It warms up the complexion for the summery days and it gives a nice flush of color to last you over 6-7 hours. Try to use a lighter hand because they are crazy pigmented! <b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXel5I0gybVCMV5DlkRCxgfac7h0oJ9AotXWhJzJjyyGN8al4Tt1RlleJ5YroSZSp69U9wgkRqiKF7GKifTljOoXc-_D4R00zwk_Il4P1oeWN0_PUmZgrayf0X4qJV4GR_lxdKriAd71o/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXel5I0gybVCMV5DlkRCxgfac7h0oJ9AotXWhJzJjyyGN8al4Tt1RlleJ5YroSZSp69U9wgkRqiKF7GKifTljOoXc-_D4R00zwk_Il4P1oeWN0_PUmZgrayf0X4qJV4GR_lxdKriAd71o/s640/DSC_0164.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisp</td></tr>
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<b>Wisp</b> is a champagne powder highlighter with a very creamy feel. I kinda miss the texture Colourpop has on most of its items. They give an identity or the Colourpop feel to the products. A plus side of not having the texture embossing is that the usage doesn't make the surface uneven - like other products become. Colourpop describes it to be a duo-chrome gold-champagne highlighter. In the pan, it comes off as champagne, but the gold specks become more visible once you swatch or apply on the cheeks. Against my skin, the gold becomes prominent and you can see that the swatch for the below. Compared to the blushes, I feel that it has softer texture and hence, more fallout. You can see in the picture that I have partially blended all three swatches since nobody wears powder products in their opaque glory. The highlighter travels and smudges a little. On the facial skin, you need the pores to be filled and closed well, unless it might make them prominent. I dust this very lightly with a fan brush over the top of my cheeks and the sun-kissed radiance does make my skin appear healthier. One slightly annoying thing for most highlighters is that the shimmer or micro-specks come off as I attend the phone calls. They transfer onto the screen of the phone that I have to wipe off every time. The fixing sprays don't make it better either. It is a good highlighter, but definitely not the best in this price. <b>Grade: B-</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYkoJfvqtbhmmUsghZUfl4Nt9ahleAgoXeJ8aTjR2fPvt3LVmtixhWRvD09_rl_pFhWg4xcct_miSCOkRk06A4I_Pp5pdpfMmmLOUiY4DC9zO68nfRYxF6oS7V9r9hDTLk7QeaOuWWyM/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYkoJfvqtbhmmUsghZUfl4Nt9ahleAgoXeJ8aTjR2fPvt3LVmtixhWRvD09_rl_pFhWg4xcct_miSCOkRk06A4I_Pp5pdpfMmmLOUiY4DC9zO68nfRYxF6oS7V9r9hDTLk7QeaOuWWyM/s640/DSC_0165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Lowes - Fruit Stand - Wisp</td></tr>
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<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Creme Gel Colour & Liner</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6n_n-33TVZeyw21bD9A9xQoWjNFZY244Z69KlHq3EZLDupRjHao0_YzSLYmTjJ90mEG1nJM2Iz1wmX2w8XLGHfR9kpz7qt3KIwqCN3Dz2maMnu1Kvp38ljLGk4SYIv0Jh0clPWz1j6A/s1600/DSC_0057-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6n_n-33TVZeyw21bD9A9xQoWjNFZY244Z69KlHq3EZLDupRjHao0_YzSLYmTjJ90mEG1nJM2Iz1wmX2w8XLGHfR9kpz7qt3KIwqCN3Dz2maMnu1Kvp38ljLGk4SYIv0Jh0clPWz1j6A/s640/DSC_0057-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Colourpop Creme Gel Liner and Creme Gel Colour are yet another release by the brand in 2015. With mattes, glitters, and metallics ranging from neutrals to bright and bold colors, the liner range was something I had been hoping to try. You can find different drugstore brands having a range of creamy eye liner pencils in an array of wearable & impressive shades. There are many things that should go right with such liners. First off, they need to be pigmented, glide on smoothly, be resistant to smudging, should be able to last longer on the lashline and not be an irritant to the sensitive eye area.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYpwcDYGlq3F4i4xVm_yUEjHb8jM0YZG0YC8xOceReFXaqt1bZqxnBvSOTKO4asV3aPQBTd1iAdOB_Qgt6SUtIdRpzne8BKXc2U8m3QRvVUjKFoEBS6xvUp1LzygygNUG2ahoJfLGUrw/s1600/DSC_0168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYpwcDYGlq3F4i4xVm_yUEjHb8jM0YZG0YC8xOceReFXaqt1bZqxnBvSOTKO4asV3aPQBTd1iAdOB_Qgt6SUtIdRpzne8BKXc2U8m3QRvVUjKFoEBS6xvUp1LzygygNUG2ahoJfLGUrw/s640/DSC_0168.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the retail price of $6, Creme Gel Liner and Colour are available in 1 oz. quantity. The brand claims that the colors are pigmented and glide effortlessly on your skin. They can be blended with a stiff pencil brush for a more smoked out effect. The liners come in a variety of shades from deep intense mattes to super metallic glitters. Every shade has a gel liner pot version and a pencil version. I commend this since not everyone is comfortable with a gel formula, but might fall for the same shade. This gives you the convenience of applying the gel liner and then perhaps carry the pencil for touch-ups.<br />
Since these are two different types of products, I shall do a more elaborate individual product review for them:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2qW4dHo2CDwccLWsa1YcevpTz94wG1eL7a1Tc10sPvtPEYE2nZORicnvMcZB42q9SfY_qF_e62noxuE4DkRyByS-weo7V0dWzoyLrWWBmIR2FMkITYa3qJ6DNy1MDA4oO5yWNgoZDsg/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2qW4dHo2CDwccLWsa1YcevpTz94wG1eL7a1Tc10sPvtPEYE2nZORicnvMcZB42q9SfY_qF_e62noxuE4DkRyByS-weo7V0dWzoyLrWWBmIR2FMkITYa3qJ6DNy1MDA4oO5yWNgoZDsg/s640/DSC_0172.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kicker</td></tr>
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<b>Kicker</b> is a cool-toned metallic silver gel eyeliner. It is packaged in a sturdy glass pot that is roughly the same size as Bobbi Brown's or L'Oreal's gel eyeliners. It has a thick white lid which closes securely onto the liner jar. I am glad to comment that it is one of the sturdier packaging from Colourpop. You do need to securely twist this one shut because any gel liner would dry up if exposed unnecessarily to the air and its constituents. I stared at the pot for quite some time since this just looked like molten metal. My Hollywood reference for that would be Unicorn blood in Harry Potter! Nope, there is no Dark Lord for whom I am reaping the blood :-P<br />
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Back to the makeup lingo. I used a thin slanted liner brush to graze the top of the gel with gentle-st of touches. The gel was soft and creamy and the arm swatch glided beautifully on the back of my hand. The color dried up after few minutes and after that, it did not budge as I put my hand under the tap water. The smudging did happen as I lightly rubbed on the swatch. Over the course of the day, a silver stain remained nice and bright on my hand until I used a waterproof makeup remover wipe. Wearing the shade on the eye was easy breezy. I am not bold enough to sport it by itself, but I used it to outline my black eyeliner and used on the lower lash line. Both ways, it went on nicely without any glitch or tug on the eyelid. I have only recently grabbed the piece, so haven't experienced any drying as of now. Will edit and update you guys once I get more usage out of it. This will definitely be going in the wedding looks I am about to do for my Sister-in-Law's reception and events :) I haven't tried it as an eye base to silver eyeshadow or smudged the liner for a smokey effect, so can't comment on that. It did, however, last on my lids for over 5-7 hours without smudging. For its price, it is definitely a smooth fuss-free gel eyeliner that you should try!<br />
<b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS4qRD1NJu3cPCDyNbGT3wXuxUbKu6IgOy36MtDW7B8Qu2TlCC7ai3pmoM1KJL8U-ZZD4d-IJXFLb9uuE2HRi6uyRe6NAASAbriSUIYafnLpiJuYj5QzftLH9_KSwcsRv7rU-UCTSViM/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTS4qRD1NJu3cPCDyNbGT3wXuxUbKu6IgOy36MtDW7B8Qu2TlCC7ai3pmoM1KJL8U-ZZD4d-IJXFLb9uuE2HRi6uyRe6NAASAbriSUIYafnLpiJuYj5QzftLH9_KSwcsRv7rU-UCTSViM/s640/DSC_0173.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Sting</td></tr>
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Bee Sting is a gorgeous pale blue color with a florescent quality to it. This color is what I plan on sporting all summer round. Packaged in a twist-up plastic pencil, the 1 oz. of product retails for $6. The packaging reminded me of others I have seen in drugstore like Maybelline's Colossal Kajal, Jordana Eyeliner, Essence eyeliner pencils, Avon, etc. There is nothing ground-breaking about that and you do have to be careful during hotter weather to put its lid back on nice and slow. I have had quite a few broken creamy pencils as the liner was dispensed too much. It is also prone to breakage that way - just as Colourpop also warns you. Be careful, folks.<br />
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In texture, it does have the creamy gel feel, but that might not be as pronounced as the cream-color version of it. Relatively firmer texture allows you more control in applying eyeliner on the go. I am not too sure if I mentioned it adequately before, but these are marketed as multi-purpose products. So, don't limit them to the usage around the eyes only. Certain bright colors are also declared to be unsafe for the sensitive eye area due to their ingredients. The disclaimer has been included in the description boxes underneath each color on the Colourpop website. So, coming back to the usage experience, I am fairly pleased by the color and its performance. There are a few unconventional colors which you can try and pair with NYX or Essence colored mascara for a pop-eye look :-) On my lids, this fared well for over 4-5 hours without fading or smudging. I don't usually have a habit of rubbing eyes, but I did end up doing that a couple of times while I had it on. Thankfully, it only smudged to 10% of its intensity on my eye after vigorous rubbing on my behalf. I wear contact lenses and they haven't been irritated or become sensitive to this.<br />
<b>Grade: B+</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT308z_6gkMOkQItliS3PgKBX2YhmUf0afJa2RhTiSxpz4kjaSSTU1eMimUK-FMJwAlLd_szbcFiIv5_gHf_Inup-CWoqDGZ7J2r_ZX65nmtQhJKGKUoqhUrVXpCWRD99_KeElt0oya4/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKT308z_6gkMOkQItliS3PgKBX2YhmUf0afJa2RhTiSxpz4kjaSSTU1eMimUK-FMJwAlLd_szbcFiIv5_gHf_Inup-CWoqDGZ7J2r_ZX65nmtQhJKGKUoqhUrVXpCWRD99_KeElt0oya4/s640/DSC_0175.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Sting - Kicker</td></tr>
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Lippie Stix & Lippie Pencil</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bhhMVduLHOo4iPl5hedcuVfJupK2RkZf6qXqz7XRwZdvvnS3XZNH68Op10V96medA4uS3HkyfKMvBKl99gAWJNWf_MtuxJ_xwIVmIt4uRNSZY5JxlzjVoBCZjqkTwaucbDZroVUPAgM/s1600/DSC_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bhhMVduLHOo4iPl5hedcuVfJupK2RkZf6qXqz7XRwZdvvnS3XZNH68Op10V96medA4uS3HkyfKMvBKl99gAWJNWf_MtuxJ_xwIVmIt4uRNSZY5JxlzjVoBCZjqkTwaucbDZroVUPAgM/s640/DSC_0058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Colourpop Lippie Stix and Lippie Pencils are from the initial product range launched by Colourpop. Retailing for $5 a pop, Lippie Stix and Pencils continue to thrive as the community favorites among all those who have had a dose of it. Being a lipstick hoarder, I was intrigued by what Lippie Stix had to offer. I won't lie, I was kinda let down by the phrase "lippie stix". While I do appreciate cheeky product names, this didn't quite wow me. It has kinda grown on me now, so I won't discuss too much around it. So, the variety of Lippie Stix comes in matte, creme, sheer, hyper glossy and a newly-launched matte x range (which is supposed to be super matte, perhaps like retro mattes from MAC). In a couple of limited edition deluxe kits, Colourpop introduced special sizes of Lippie Stix and Pencils as being double sided lip products. If I hadn't grabbed too many of these already, I would have definitely checked those kits out.<br />
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Lippie Stix are packaged in white plastic twist-up 'crayons'. Lippie Pencils, however, need sharpening. I find the twist-dispensing more convenient for pencils as well because I am the one who often forgets to carry the sharpener along in my makeup bag and then I continue using the pencils till the limit that I am swiping the wooden edges against my skin. So, yeah, I hope Colourpop upgrades the Lippie Pencil packaging.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx1VHpBtgnBOR5VvTsJxzHeY3qSloqL9tuIz-uXsm60MFyJSoHQNs0iGUmoyHygL7AX2W-tpV81qdila9JhKiXV8HbCv-ueJEP8D7v1nbGGPFk8c5t9hWLs2uP4qK9Ab2EhaoWKEwmrA/s1600/DSC_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOx1VHpBtgnBOR5VvTsJxzHeY3qSloqL9tuIz-uXsm60MFyJSoHQNs0iGUmoyHygL7AX2W-tpV81qdila9JhKiXV8HbCv-ueJEP8D7v1nbGGPFk8c5t9hWLs2uP4qK9Ab2EhaoWKEwmrA/s640/DSC_0183.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The slanted edge of the Lippie Stix is wide enough to comfortably cover my lips and help in precise application. The bottom and the plastic on the Lippie Stix covered by the white lid is in the color of the shade of the lipstick. It helps you differentiate and identify the shades. I apologize for not photographing that. I hope my explanation will suffice. For reference, the pictures you see on the website of Colourpop, the actual shades are a tone or two lighter than what they appear in the bullet of the product. I appreciate that they use women of color to show different types of swatches. It just gives you a fair idea about how the color would look on you. These swatches do take a while to show up for newly released items though - unless you are searching on social media ;-)<br />
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I have tried the matte, creme, and hyper glossy finish of the Colourpop Lippie Stix. I will briefly discuss the individual colors below, but one of the remarkable traits of these are the color payoff and longevity. Even the creamier versions last so well on the lips that you would be amazed seeing your lip color intact after having a particularly greasy feel. I am turning too superlative in case of the Lippie Stix but they are an absolute joy to work with. So easy to carry, wear and retouch. I am particularly happy about the range of colors I have selected. haha! I was disappointed when Colourpop packaged Bossy in the box for sheer Peacocky (that I had originally ordered), but I understand the mess-up since I placed my order during Black Friday and Holiday period. I hope they rectify the probability of this happening - even during rush sales and shopping season.<br />
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Commenting on the longevity of these - well, I have gone normally between 7-8 hours with deeper colors. They do leave a stain that lasts almost over 3-5 hours. Yep. True Story! I can't wait to let you know the individual ratings for these:<br />
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<b>Lippie Primer</b> - I got this to compare with my MAC Prep and Prime Lip. For $5, it is the best dupe I have found for what Prep & Prime does to my lips - making the application for liquids and mattes easier and making them last considerably longer. <b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<b>Lippie Pencil in Brink - </b>It is a flesh-rose color. Slightly darker than the Lippie Stix in the same shade.<b> </b>This.is.my.Holy.Grail.Lip.Pencil! I have never liked lining my lips or appreciated how lip pencils bring a structure to your lip color. I did have a few Rivaj, Rimmel, and Essence lip liners, but never had this creamy luxury for $5. I have worn this with the most un-work-able colors and the Brink shade complements my natural lip color oh-so-beautifully. <b>Grade: A+</b><br />
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<b>Brink</b> - It is a rose-brown color with neutral pink undertones. The matte finish is comfortable semi-matte that does become more matte as the wear-time prolongs. It gives opaque coverage in one or two swipes. This lasts well through meals and stays put through 6-7+ hours. I do feel that you shouldn't expose this or any other Lippie Stix directly to sunlight/heat in the scorching summers as they are prone to melting and breakage. Other than that, it is one of those universally-flattering colors that you must own <3 <b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<b>LBB </b>-<b> </b>It is a standard warm berry color that I go ga-ga over. It reminds me of MAC Rebel, but this remains a little fresh with strong pink undertones, while Rebel turns more intense berry on me. The coverage is opaque in 2-3 swipes, but I do like keeping it one-swipe berry pink for more longevity and less transferability. It effectively stains the lips and lets you sport the gorgeous color for over 5-6 hours. <b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<b>I 'Heart' This</b> - It is a deep pink with red undertones. Looking at this color, I am reminded of the slurpy slush I like in Summers :-) This gives you the most luscious pink-red lips that are at par with the pout Chanel features in their print ads. It is almost blasphemous to compare such high-end brand with this, but I can proudly say that I did give up certain shades of Guerlain because I had been equally comfortable in the Colourpop ones <3 So, this one feel a tad sheer than the other mattes. I do enjoy the creamier feel of it, but it is better if you line these with the same liner for the liners to be sharper and less prone to smudging. Oh, and it lasts almost 5-6 hours as well. <b>Grade: A</b><br />
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<b>Behr Hug </b>- It is a bright red with neutral undertones. It is a true red that I purchased on an impulse. I would not call it my favorite, because the competition is tougher for this one right here :-) I love my reds in MAC. Anyhow, this has a very comfortable creme opaque coverage. I didn't quite feel this being much different from the mattes of Lippie Stix. It lasts well through 6-7 hours and leaves a stain for another 2-3 hours. <b>Grade: B+</b><br />
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<b>Go Fish</b> - This is a classic medium coral-pink. I got this without any swatch/review and man, I never thought I would obsess over a glossy coral this much. This just lightens up my face with its lovely coral sheen and complements my complexion with the pink undertones. Although it is categorized as hyper glossy, this is what you would call a creamy finish in other lip products. This lasts so well that my lips have been comfortably stained by it for over 12 hours without any complaints. I will keep repurchasing this for... like ever. Oh, and this is the one that stumped a Guerlain for me :-) <b>Grade: A+</b><br />
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<b>Clique</b> - Although the website and online swatches make it more of an orange-red, this comes off as a true orange with slight red undertones on me. I was underwhelmed by the shade because I wasn't too sure of the face prep that this would require for a proper lip application. Such oranges and corals make my teeth look yellow and emphasize my moustache :P ehm... the threading growth, if I am to quote it in a lady-like manner. I have not worn this for more than a couple of times till now. It is opaque in a single swipe and relatively more matte than others. Lining with a red lip liner or using it in an ombre does create a bold impact. It lasts considerably well on my lips and does leave a comfortable & even stain for more than 6-7 hours. <b>Grade: A-</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUtA0YyRFNGMN5rpgAdJbBhaFOrbpRcj34vvuz1eaQ6RFe6NM9c80pSZf9woQWK7vFNHVCove-Wb4nzxODk6vY7I1-qoT_obIm0tQjv5UeOpMZlFEXIAHLJ-9cVK35eoscGxj2rsbZ04/s1600/DSC_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUtA0YyRFNGMN5rpgAdJbBhaFOrbpRcj34vvuz1eaQ6RFe6NM9c80pSZf9woQWK7vFNHVCove-Wb4nzxODk6vY7I1-qoT_obIm0tQjv5UeOpMZlFEXIAHLJ-9cVK35eoscGxj2rsbZ04/s640/DSC_0186.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brink (Pencil) - Brink - LBB - I Heart This - Behr Hug - Go Fish - Clique</td></tr>
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.... AND with this, I shall take a bow in front of all those who read through my ramblings to reach at this stage. The whole post was written in parts with different states of mind, so I hope you don't hold any errors against me :-D Feel free to ask for more details about any of the products and I shall make sure to reply you directly or add the required information in the post itself. </div>
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All in all, I feel Colourpop is a promising newcomer in makeup brands that you guys should try out. It does have areas that it needs to work on. I hope the relevant departments are keeping the ear to the ground or more like... their eyes on the social media forums to gather all the intel and see how they can work through these shortcomings. The products are remarkable in their pigmentation, but the performance needs to go beyond pretty swatches and static pictures, right? </div>
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I love their products and they are a part of my daily routine, but I did strike off the marks where needed for it to be presented more objectively. If I were to recommend Top 5 products from the ones I have, that list would be:</div>
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<b>1. Lippie Pencil & Lippie Stix in Brink </b><i>(okay, yeah they're two - but no, we will count it as one! :P )</i></div>
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<b>2. Super Shock Blush in New Lowes</b> <i>(I find Fruit Stand to be comparable, but not everyone has a shade similar to New Lowes in their stash)</i></div>
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<b>3. Ultra Matte Lip in Scrooge</b> <i>(I am torn between this, More Better and Bumble...)</i></div>
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<b>4. Super Shock Eyeshadow in Gliterrati </b><i>(because... just look at it!)</i></div>
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<b>5. Super Shock Eyeshadow in Get Lucky </b><i>(You can't go wrong with a bright gold)</i></div>
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As for availability, you can order these through online Facebook pages dealing in cosmetics or request your relatives / friends / contacts in US to bring these beauties. Sadly, Colourpop does not deliver to Pakistan or has any official distributor of their products.</div>
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I am looking forward to your feedback! Let me know your experiences and wishlists from the Colourpop range.</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-121263233146089302016-01-31T17:27:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:09.202+05:00January Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTiey-W2eWyoZXzouc4rDqyN3MZPBXDluPP69YDxZRohq1aCZwFJRWxNnCZgXoBjqP4Lw46Tozh1B21DLy9qz75QY8yXewijZXRot5rgiB5iVwEvHmYsIUmTJzAiHyg_mooRCsFIcXTk/s1600/JAN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTiey-W2eWyoZXzouc4rDqyN3MZPBXDluPP69YDxZRohq1aCZwFJRWxNnCZgXoBjqP4Lw46Tozh1B21DLy9qz75QY8yXewijZXRot5rgiB5iVwEvHmYsIUmTJzAiHyg_mooRCsFIcXTk/s640/JAN.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hey, y'all! Who is still writing 2015 on official documents and then hysterically finding a blanco to make things write? *looks around* no one? oh... yea... me... neither :-/<br />
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So, here, I vow to be regular in posting the Favorites second year in a row. In addition to this, I did something a lot of you have been asking about. Sharing the makeup collection and how it is stored. I got around organizing my makeup on a week-day, yeah. lol. I had to hurry up and take pictures along the way. If you haven't already, look at my *almost* complete stash pictures in their raw form and not-too-fancy organization that I shared on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thebeautyfinds" target="_blank">Facebook</a>?<br />
Also, I plan on sharing monthly/weekly/fortnightly bag of products that I am using to keep my collection items in rotation. Perhaps from February. Hoping that it goes well.<br />
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Without further ado, let's go ahead and reveal what worked for me in January 2016:<br />
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<b>L.A. Girl Pro.Conceal Orange Corrector </b>- To be honest, the true orange don't work great against my complexion. Peach-toned color correctors hide my pigmentation better. Still, I wanted to compare the options out there for you guys and grabbed this one in my last haul. The blendability of this one is great. It does have its downsides, but you can top it off by your foundation or concealer to kill the orange tint beautifully. The orange won't peek through. It is tricky to dispense the right amount of product and the consistency needs a little shake-up before usage, but the tiniest amount does the deed for me, Make sure you pat on the concealer and use a medium-full coverage foundation over this. It is creamier and leave a tint. You might need to prime and set it for longevity depending on your skin type.</div>
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<b>Benefit Roller Lash Mascara</b> - It is a repeat from my 2015 Favorites post that I did a couple of weeks back. This found its place in the list because I have been reaching out for this one quite often. In addition to what I have said previously about this one, I love the fact that its brush doesn't carry excess product. The wand is neat and applies the right amount of product that I need. My biggest pet-peeve has been taken care of with this one.</div>
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<b>Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Tipsy </b>- The color is raved about and looks good in the pan. I, for one, wasn't quite impressed initially. Its texture in the pan was relatively harder. The good thing was that it had no fall-out (I am looking at you, MAC sheertone blushes -_-). Still, I needed to swipe my brush multiple times to get the desired <strike>baboon cheeks</strike> pigmentation. Recently, I tried to reuse it with the RT Blush Brush and was amazed at the diffused peach pigmentation it left on the bare moisturized cheeks. Looked effortless. Made me wonder what must I be doing wrong / different previously. It has become a strong contender against my favorite peach blush - Clinique Peach Pop.</div>
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<b>NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger </b>- I am guilty of using a concealer darker than my skin tone over the dark circles. Many makeup artists might not agree with this choice, but the days when I don't want to wear a color corrector, this works wonderfully for me and I can sport just the concealer without full-face makeup. I abhor overly highlighted undereye area and would very much like it to be at an even tone with the skin - dark circles covered and shadows lifted. Using lighter concealers can work if you use it to "top off" the fully color-corrected and covered undereye circles. Otherwise, it leaves a greyish cast or reverse raccoon eyes which are a "sweety-no!" for me. The tiniest amount of Ginger shade is so pigmented to cover my dark circles by 80-90% - no kidding! I shall reveal more in the reviews to follow, but this one is a keeper. </div>
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<b>Urban Decay Glide-On Eyeliner in Perversion</b> - This is, without a doubt, the most intense black pencil eyeliner that I have tried till date. There might be some with better or comparable lasting powers, but this doesn't smudge on me. I don't quite wear this on my waterline much, so can't comment on its performance in that area yet. Still, it has been my go-to eyeliner pencil for quite some time. I am glad I repurchased a travel set with two other neutral dark shades in the Sephora $10 Black Friday deal ^_^</div>
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This was quicker than usual, right? What have you been loving this January?<br />
I am sad to not have witnessed the winter in Lahore / Islamabad in its full glory this time. I still wear lawn and haven't used a shawl or winter fabric (other than a linen dress) for over two times. *sigh*</div>
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How has your winter been? Let me know in the comments below!</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-91361228019436724582016-01-29T16:18:00.004+05:002023-06-06T01:24:17.078+05:00Products I Love-Hate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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An appropriate title would be Products I Sometimes Like*</div>
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*Terms and Conditions Apply.</div>
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Have I confused you with this twisted explanation? Yes? No? May be?<br />
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Things are going to be a lot <strike>worse</strike> better with what I have to say here:<br />
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Sometimes makeup feelings are complicated. When you use an item, you may not absolutely love or hate something. Right? '<br />
There is stuff that is mediocre.<br />
Stuff that is not great, but not so bad either.<br />
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Your makeup feelings and experiences cannot be black or white. Good or Bad.<br />
It is rather easy to pop open a bottle of any makeup item and apply it on yourself.<br />
When you do that, what results to you expect?<br />
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You think that we'd either love it or hate it. More or less than other items we have in the same category. </div>
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*sigh*</div>
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Sometimes, life isn't that simple. </div>
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There are certain products that I grabbed after rave reviews and a lot of hype surrounding them. It was only natural to expect a lot out of them. In a way, they did work well for me. Some of them became a 'favorite' of mine. However, they either stopped being their awesome self or would require special effort to get desired results. In few cases, I discovered a better item(s) in terms of price, quality, and performance, that - naturally - made me question my previous choices. Fallen from grace, if you may.</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-28308062808104351062016-01-21T16:29:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:11.093+05:00Makeup Revolution RADIANCE Radiant Lights Palette<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJNRs_EZfhFJNc1-7I2_OOOTDg6sq-VlqncI2Z4mjU2KmBh8Rvfy8gwyajZHLKDdG0ULtJVSfn_XjIhIyNDB9GI2PStoPzcLXXDPjEwDf_jx-MQ7e3hyO_0HKlAaqSzqNficcFy6Laak/s1600/DSCN2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJNRs_EZfhFJNc1-7I2_OOOTDg6sq-VlqncI2Z4mjU2KmBh8Rvfy8gwyajZHLKDdG0ULtJVSfn_XjIhIyNDB9GI2PStoPzcLXXDPjEwDf_jx-MQ7e3hyO_0HKlAaqSzqNficcFy6Laak/s640/DSCN2475.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hey, buds! We're all smitten by highlighted cheeks, right? From subtle glow to a 1000-watt bulb, we have our preferences somewhere on the spectrum. I started off by liking in-your-face type of highlighter effect. I was not to be blamed - who wouldn't get mesmerized by those ethereal brides that Natasha's Salon shared on social media? I was awe-struck. </div>
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However, as I matured into making wiser choices, I kept bold highlighting for semi-to-formal events only. In other days, I was on the hunt for finding something as subtle as an illuminator, but in the form of a powder. One recommendation was the Hourglass Ambient Lighting palette - since the price of that one would burn a volcanic-crater-sized hole in my wallet - I was intrigued by what Makeup Revolution had to offer in its Radiant Lights Palette. The <a href="http://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2014/11/makeup-revolution-vivid-baked-blusher.html" target="_blank">VIVID Baked Highlighters</a> had been used by me previously, so the bar of expectations was set real high. Let's see if this newly launched palette by Makeup Revolution lived up to the hype:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49QyMLW7Yo0g7HoqvvCppAqZg9kPSgcEcM2y-PfbbRDnS-HFRxv9MY2LlkisNl_PwKIOw4ppTGLH9NfAyGvYoHpQvXmSNWFcAOxZEdNddDkZzc27rG_2K4pEtdnP08uV1KuJTZ_paTK4/s1600/DSCN2474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49QyMLW7Yo0g7HoqvvCppAqZg9kPSgcEcM2y-PfbbRDnS-HFRxv9MY2LlkisNl_PwKIOw4ppTGLH9NfAyGvYoHpQvXmSNWFcAOxZEdNddDkZzc27rG_2K4pEtdnP08uV1KuJTZ_paTK4/s640/DSCN2474.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Makeup Revolution RADIANCE Radiant Lights Palette retails for PKR 1,300 at <a href="http://reforma.pk/">Reforma.PK</a> in Pakistan. Although the Makeup Revolution products retail at Daraz.PK as well, but I have not been able to spot it in their products as of January 19. It is a highlighter palette which claims to deliver "instant radiance" with "soft and natural illumination" for a "sophisticated" look. The outer cardboard packaging is a sleek rose-gold metallic finish that looks chic and shiny. Being the nail-biter that I am, I had to wrestle a bit with the cardboard packaging to open decently. It was slippery, at first, but I did succeed, eventually. One small observation that might be indirectly related to this as well. You need to hold the palettes with a little care because the shiny cardboard packaging is prone to slipping from the moist hands or loose grip. That's not a packaging fault, rather a question of personal attention. Why is it even remotely relevant here? Because highlighters are generally more prone to breakage as they take a fall even though the outside packaging looks sturdy enough. Let's hope we don't get ourselves in the fumble, tumble, and jumble mess :-D The back of the packaging has ingredients mentioned for your review.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAng_4w_Wqs97yrQHP_KuXIDvNPulAX63ReUS_8uMdzomNCnw0UG59HHn6m_WWj0e-jzJXJJnJWTJGWbDYIxVSVIeQ8_D1aTzcU1EgEV0SkuPLqP4C7hE6SbM5jFFI_xuBqh_xoS9XLtE/s1600/DSCN2481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAng_4w_Wqs97yrQHP_KuXIDvNPulAX63ReUS_8uMdzomNCnw0UG59HHn6m_WWj0e-jzJXJJnJWTJGWbDYIxVSVIeQ8_D1aTzcU1EgEV0SkuPLqP4C7hE6SbM5jFFI_xuBqh_xoS9XLtE/s640/DSCN2481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside, the palette is made of black glossy plastic that does not appear cheap or flimsy. Good thing, its snap closure is pretty slick and you won't feel any rattle. The plastic surface of the palette, however, is susceptible to finger marks. Inside, there are three round pans of the highlighters and a mirror on the upper lid. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYs6WE7Eu0E4JxkZFM6iwuC8MomwWIJkGYCFXnwMvZ12yMxxfe0zEiSUi-lmKlJpba6UUCVPkOkMX2so15SJ3RNvaLs_gT8tLjoNvqGjl9HqNiWjUkG0YGMKOIw1HKgMSFR4GI1cqabE/s1600/DSCN2489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYs6WE7Eu0E4JxkZFM6iwuC8MomwWIJkGYCFXnwMvZ12yMxxfe0zEiSUi-lmKlJpba6UUCVPkOkMX2so15SJ3RNvaLs_gT8tLjoNvqGjl9HqNiWjUkG0YGMKOIw1HKgMSFR4GI1cqabE/s640/DSCN2489.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpovMt9dnTgLMq7hYN1bUR56p1CA-QjwFk3lL29nXwVgSyA28LxbpSrbI0tGKWRpMIynfmP0B21uVnvhoQo8PlrRFbK0tsO9O9xTN4sSXCeIkgf09Txv_o7GPzPU6ZJk31mRwSi-PqsI/s1600/DSCN2499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpovMt9dnTgLMq7hYN1bUR56p1CA-QjwFk3lL29nXwVgSyA28LxbpSrbI0tGKWRpMIynfmP0B21uVnvhoQo8PlrRFbK0tsO9O9xTN4sSXCeIkgf09Txv_o7GPzPU6ZJk31mRwSi-PqsI/s640/DSCN2499.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As the palette claims, these are definitely very smooth and natural as compared to those in-your-face intense highlighters. I do appreciate both kinds of highlighter, depending on the occasion/need. </div>
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From L to R, these are Breathe, Exhale, and Glow.</div>
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In the pan, Breathe looks like pale skin with pink undertones. It has no glitter particles, but a satin powder finish.</div>
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Exhale is lighter than Breathe, but with more cool-toned peachy glow. It is right in between the shimmer and satin finish, no glitter particles.</div>
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Glow is an orange-bronze shade with warm undertones and micro-glitter particles.</div>
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For reference, I am NC20-25 skin tone. In the arm-swatch, you can see how these look on my skin. They're pigmented and buttery, so they can be easily swatched using your finger or brush. While the color payoff is great, it definitely allows you to build the color up in layers if you wish so. In all, it can be anything between a sheer wash of color all over your face or be a noticeable highlighter on particular areas of face. The diffused look is what they do the best. Hence, the claim of sophistication holds true. Moreover, in terms of tools, I have experienced no issues with these whether I used fingers, Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, blush brush or a fan brush to apply these on my face. The powders blend beautifully. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHBbDbGBoivof22gjoHJdrZsf8jYD8YAUremetrs4V1NH4sl3olCiSA8hQ6wdrCKsRJpWS7FNBilC8URwHviL-mFfyWjHzP5TbcVLkN1u-S5YsyN3TQno4_0WIOZ3iHlVjFuAaRulrUo/s1600/DSCN2495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHBbDbGBoivof22gjoHJdrZsf8jYD8YAUremetrs4V1NH4sl3olCiSA8hQ6wdrCKsRJpWS7FNBilC8URwHviL-mFfyWjHzP5TbcVLkN1u-S5YsyN3TQno4_0WIOZ3iHlVjFuAaRulrUo/s640/DSCN2495.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All those who are hoping for this to be the dupe of Ambient Lighting Powders by Hourglass would want me to answer the million dollar question - Are they a dupe? I do not own an Ambient Lighting Powder to share a side-by-side swatch, but I have tested them out on few occasions. Their smoothness and undetectable glow on the face make them a much-raved high-end product. While Breathe and Exhale are close contenders to perform in a similar manner on fairer skin-tones (NC15-30), duskier skin tones might not garner the same results with this palette. Breathe has been used all over the face as a foundation setting compact powder by me. In Summers, it did not show noticeable results because my skin would become an oil slick any way. In less humid weather conditions, however, it helped making my matte foundation photograph as luminous. I applied Breathe as an undereye highlighter, but did not find it effective in ensuring longevity of the concealer or the foundation. It is my favorite shade of the three and looks gorgeously natural on the cupid's bow and down the bridge of the nose as well. Exhale was best used on the cheeks for a more intense version of the glow-from-within look. When in hurry, I can even sweep the shade under my brows, in the inner corner of the eye or even on the eyelid for a more polished look. Both Breathe and Exhale help in achieving a diffused glow on the skin without making the pores more obvious. On good-skin days, I sometimes layer these up on the bare moisturized skin too and love the outcome. Glow is least used by me because it equals as a bronze highlighter. Those who wish to warm the face up with a bronze glow might find this more helpful. For desi skin-tones, it can double a sun-kissed blush/highlighter. The presence of micro-glitter does not emphasize the pores, but they do travel all over your skin. Breathe and Exhale visibly last for almost 3-4 hours. Glow more longevity than these two, but it cannot be applied all over the face</div>
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Overall, it's a great product that is to remain in my stash. It does deliver onto the sophisticated natural glow claims. I can't vouch for the product's performance beyond NC30 skin tone, but the fairer complexions can surely benefit from the illumination. It will most definitely benefit the beauties with oilier skin to do subtle strobing with a fine powder highlighter instead of a liquid product. If you expect to set your foundation/concealer or control oil with it, I am afraid, these will not serve that purpose. These do not claim so either, so can't blame. I would, however, recommend that Makeup Revolution comes up with perhaps two-three different palettes that would cater to people of color. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfUczKWkZDcq0n755MIus0kin6nod8jSxAvvkWD9CpbpzlC2kuu2-AFzshPTDBOMVqIwjetocIzlAAD9Ncez2UkWH2mTvPXesggqMPck2BFHQS30Xmw3yeqlLF6OsJrzBTwi7QvqAeho/s1600/A-.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfUczKWkZDcq0n755MIus0kin6nod8jSxAvvkWD9CpbpzlC2kuu2-AFzshPTDBOMVqIwjetocIzlAAD9Ncez2UkWH2mTvPXesggqMPck2BFHQS30Xmw3yeqlLF6OsJrzBTwi7QvqAeho/s640/A-.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette is available at Reforma.PK for PKR 1,300. Have you tried the palette yet? Would you like to give it a go for a smooth dewy look that does not take you overboard?</div>
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Let me know in the comments below <3</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; font-style: italic;">Disclaimer: This post may contain PR samples given for review. The opinions expressed are unbiased & honest depending upon my experience.</span></div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-13522083037370245022016-01-19T10:23:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:10.254+05:002015 Product Disappointments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxRt3DVWVgWRlVbiaP-l0Qo6MNswcBcYCnl0B_eiqca0iT2YpcUmE1G6k4Pq7Ok6RrWsf_GOIUqFNTaSRCRrcSGrAQpGv2virtkHHBCrPZBiE_37s_CCZiCPpxBJzmcQxBYWkTA7XJQ8/s1600/Untitled111%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxRt3DVWVgWRlVbiaP-l0Qo6MNswcBcYCnl0B_eiqca0iT2YpcUmE1G6k4Pq7Ok6RrWsf_GOIUqFNTaSRCRrcSGrAQpGv2virtkHHBCrPZBiE_37s_CCZiCPpxBJzmcQxBYWkTA7XJQ8/s640/Untitled111%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hey! It's a little too "late" to do a "2015" series because we're officially edging towards the end of January. In my defense, I didn't plan on doing a product regrets / disappointment / fail post this year. Why? Well, there were several products that didn't work out the way that they should. Some of them had issues with their performances, others were simply not suiting me. Instead of waiting a whole year, I am thinking to make this more of a quarterly feature. Let's see how that pans out!<br />
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Okay, a little clarification on what I am about to show you now. These are not 'bad' products per se, but failed to deliver well as per their claims and my expectations. Some of these get rave reviews from bloggers & vloggers. This is not meant to be a brand-bashing post either. You are welcome to try these out for yourself, if you wish so :-) Just read the following words of caution before you invest in any of these:<br />
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Some of you might be surprised by what I have here. Let's have a closer look at the what's, why's, how's, shall we?<br />
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<b>Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara</b> - I spent my year trying to find a good replacement of They're Real by Benefit. Ideally, I wanted to grab a mascara that's cheaper in price point, but works well on the days when I don't want to 'waste' good mascara. Please tell me I am not the only one who does that, haha! Anyway, I had read reviews on how Thick & Fast by S&G is a no-nonsense type of mascara with standard bristles brush that work well for an everyday look. The formulation of the mascara was thinner than my liking and it would take a while for it to dry. With sparse lashes and hooded lids, it would always cause some transfer and smudging on the upper eye area. The wetness from the mascara caused my lashes to fall limp - just how water or moisture messes up your hair straightening (my curly hair sisters will be nodding in unison on this. We will fight together for a cure of that -_-), the lash curl loses its shape if the formulation of mascara is a very wet one. Moreover, it runs at the slightest hint of water. I once made a mistake of splashing my face with water while I was wearing this. It bled and ran on my face in black streaks. Sorry to the next person who entered the Ladies' Restroom and saw me recreating bloody mary's look, you were scarred for life, I believe :-P In short, a big No to this from my side.<br />
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<b>NARS Illuminator in Super Orgasm</b> - It was the hardest for me to put this one up here. I have a love-hate relationship with this. It is one of those things that you hold very dear because it's expensive and find different ways to make it work for you. My bestie, F, is a highlighter junkie and that is the ONLY makeup item she wears/likes. She was a big fan of e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip and wanted something higher end in a liquid form with warmer undertones to use it as highlighter + tint for cheeks. Since she was fixated on it being a liquid and there were rave reviews about NARS Illuminators along with the swatch pictures, we chose Super Orgasm. The first time I swatched, it was a tad too glittery with no tint or peach-pink color. My friend is a cool-toned NW15. She applied a couple of times with fingers and felt the same. It vanished, leaving visible chunks of glitter. On her sister, however, NC35 this looked more flattering, but did not last well. Over time, its consistency changed to being more liquid-y. She passed it onto me to use and finish. I tried incorporating it in my routine, but couldn't bring myself to like it beyond the swatch. With great sadness, had to pass this on. I have heard great things of Copacabana Illuminator, but I am wary of trying that out after this fiasco.<br />
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<b>Essence Get Big Lashes Triple Black Mascara</b> - I am a big fan of Essence mascaras. They truly deliver a variety of options in a cheap price tag. Get Big series was an overall favorite for me. The grey one in the same collection had a great brush shape and performed very nicely. It may have been discontinued now since I haven't spotted it in kiosks for quite some time. This purple version with seemingly 'tiple black' claims became a part of my stash last year. My biggest beef with it is that flat top of the brush. It causes the mascara to deposit in a thick layer every time you take the wand out. You would have no choice, but to rub it on the tube's opening. It makes the mascara to dry out and lose a lot of product. Even if you try to clean the tip of the wand, there will be some of it left and if you have smaller eyes or an unsteady hand, this will not get to the inside corner of the lashes to apply a coat nicely. If you're not careful, there is a huge probability of it smudging all around. Not good. A total toss :-/<br />
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<b>Pantene Oil Replacement Nature Fusion Mask</b> - This is an after-shampoo mask version of the Oil Replacement serums/leave-in conditioners that Pantene introduced in Pakistan. As I mentioned previously, I am very enthusiastic about the damage control/reversal hair masks and this didn't cost much for a decent-sized jar, so I got it from Hyperstar in one of the grocery trips. For the first couple of washes, I did not feel any difference in my hair immediately after using it. I changed the shampoo and followed instructions written on the back. Sometimes used it after oiling my hair, other times simply a two-day-old wash. Still, nothing noticeable. The only difference that it made was after oiling and that was ironic - so much for being an 'oil replacement' -_- It simply was an added step, nothing else. I did finish this completely, but would never repurchase or recommend it to others.<br />
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<b>Bare Minerals Try.Believe.Love Starter Kit</b> - This was a great value deal, to begin with. Even though the sizes were tiny, it did have a good selection of different products for you to try. I am not comfortable with the 'loose' mineral makeup. I keep feeling like I'd spill it around. The two brushes from the set were decent. They were too small, but that could work for travel purposes and just as a handy thing to keep in your bag for touch-ups. I remember gingerly opening the Original foundation and the Concealer. It sounded weird that a powder concealer would work just as well as the cream/liquid/stick versions, but I gave it a shot to be utterly disappointed by the crumbly and powdery texture. The foundation itself was patchy, with no coverage whatsoever. Wearing these products in summers became a nightmare when my skin would sweat and the patches would become more prominent as this stayed atop my face & pores. It was unsavoury to look / feel. These had to go. I am not too sure if BareMinerals will ever attract me. May be next time I shall visit Sephora and test their products instead of online ordering.<br />
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<b>Boots Henna Intensive Hair Treatment </b>- I have read reviews that highly recommend using Intensive Hair Treatment series from Boots. This particular one for the color damage took my fancy and I purchased it from Al-Fatah, Lahore. For the price, you get a decent amount of product, so if you see in terms of value - this definitely is a good bargain. The first few times after using it, I imagined my hair being... ummm... "squeaky". To elaborate the feeling, the wet hair would not feel smooth or soft. Instead, they'd be harder in texture and would feel like how your hair are after a session in the swimming pool or perhaps after cleansing your hair with a strong shampoo. It was surprising that a 'mask' would give off the same feel. I let that not make me biased and continued using this till it was almost 50% consumed. Beyond the squeaky wet hair, the texture and strands felt no improvement with different combinations of shampoos along with the Boots Hair Treatment. It's still in my cupboard as a timeout. Not sure if I will ever get back to this.<br />
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<b>Catrice Liquid Metal Eyeshadow in Can You Sea Me </b>- It photographs beautifully! Like a forest-green beauty. It will mesmerize you with its texture and color, no doubt. Will it perform just as well? Nope. The Liquid Metal eyeshadow range from Catrice is pretty darn great. I have tried a few metallic shades and their pigmentation and longevity were amazing. I grabbed Evoblution and Can You Sea Me in a grocery trip because they looked so very exquisite and there were no testers. When swatched, both the shades felt somewhat powdery and harder in texture. Although I am not a big fan of Evolution as well, but the Can You Sea Me was way more disappointing. It swatches differently than what it looks in the pan. The swatch was more black with a tinge of green. Perhaps a good variant for smokey eyes, but that's not what I got this one for. The pigment was harder to pick up with a brush and consequently, it applied poorly on the lid. I strongly recommend that you swatch the testers before purchasing because even though it had a cheaper price tag, it was majorly disappointing for me to not have that ultimate green that I wanted.<br />
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That's all, folks! The products that became a major disappointments of 2015. As I said before, the list goes on... and I will continue to share them more frequently, if anything were to fall EXTREMELY short of its claims on me.<br />
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What products did you buy due to the hype and found them to be a dud? Let me know in the comments below <3<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-20197339490456528952016-01-16T15:37:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:10.532+05:00My Birthday Haul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In a year, I have transitioned from a compulsive shopper to a compulsive shopper undergoing recovery. I have shopped almost everything from my ever-growing wishlist, Alhamdulilah. One positive step that I pat myself on the back for is - decluttering my makeup drawers CONSIDERABLY. It is not all sorted, but I have narrowed it down to things I use or will use in foreseeable future. A lot of the hoarding happens as I attempt to try and review everything for the blog (or my own comparative knowledge). Beyond that, many things remain untouched in the back of my stash and new ones pour in. To top it off, I have a weakness for in-stock items. That is when I do the impulse purchases. Otherwise, I am very very methodological in selecting pre-order items. I wish I could ever show you the utmost madness I go through while short-listing the items to buy. There are recommendations, research, swatches, excel sheets (LOL), price analysis, comparison with existing collection, sales analysis and so much more. Consequently, the products that come in are fairly dear to me and of good use. I have come to realize that you can only apply limited number of things on your face/body. Frequently switching skin care doesn't happen to me either. Even though I am a "beauty" blogger, I am pretty much low maintenance - meaning, you will not see me in makeup often. Taking everything in regard, hoarding too many products does not only cost me my hard-earned money (lol, yeah, husband's too while I am at it :P), but the stuff remains unused in the confines of my wooden drawers. That is why, I held few major blog sales to declutter and screen my closet. It will continue for a while till I have sorted my ... stuff together :-) Here's to becoming more ORGANIZED in 2016!</div>
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All right! Coming onto the items that I am about to show you, I did shop in small bundles all year round before going on a spending ban for 4 months. There is always so much going on that I skip on sharing it all in a proper blog post. They do, however, get showcased on my social media. If you don't want to miss it, do follow these updates on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thebeautyfinds" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/thebeautyfinds" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. Without further ado, let's see the haulin' that I did! <i>Don't forget to say Masha'Allah </i>:-D<br />
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Tada! MASHA'ALLAH! Since I received the packages in parts, there seems to be a lack of uniformity in the pictures. Some items had been greedily swatched by the time I am putting this post up :-) Sorry, it is difficult to resist - albeit for a good cause. I will mention a list of all products at the end and in the spirit of keeping it short & sweet (lol, I wish!), let me highlight the main items and my thoughts behind selecting them.<br />
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Foremost is my new <b>Remington S9600 Silk Straightener </b>which costs around PKR 8,000 from Naheed Super Store (Bahadurabad, Karachi) and PKR 7,400 from Imtiaz Super Market (Korangi, Karachi). Agha's and Hyperstar did not have this in stock. Neither did Al Fatah (Lahore) when I checked there last month. It is one of the newer models of Remington. You can pick this or Remington Keratin Therapy because they're essentially the same, except for the feature that Silk Straightener allows you to have a temporary increase in the straightener heat for those pesky curly hair that would not budge. It is important for me since I have some very stubborn curls on the roots. If you don't have them, Keratin Therapy would work just as fine for you. I planned on ordering a GHD from their sales. Honestly, I was not too sure if I want to commit to spending that much on a straightener when Remington has done the job just as well for me. I have tried GHD a few times (at a friend's), so I do not have any doubts about its capabilities. Internationally, there were mixed reviews on how GHD quality has decreased over the years. This was coming from the users of GHD who had their first flat irons for over 8-10 years, but the second purchases lasted through 2 years or even less. :-D However, the Eclipse version that I was interested in was either out of stock or grabbing the full box from an online seller meant paying extra shipment charges. I went back and forth with the idea... Especially when I was so stingy about the cost-benefit analysis with my gift money All in all, I resorted to drugstore straightener and I am quite pleased with the results. My hair remain straight till the next wash. Before, my straightening would barely lasted through an hour or two in its prime. The humidity would get to the roots. To curb that, I had to put in A LOT of products in my hair. I have used it a few times since I got it and will update if anything changes <3<br />
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Another highlight is a pair of <b>Banda FitFlops in Tan </b>leather. We're catching up with the FitFlop trend here in Pakistan. I got my first three pairs from Shoetique in UK on sales a few years back and since then, I am hooked onto them. You are able to find several replications of FitFlops in local brands, but nothing lasts as well or genuinely come close to curbing my back pain like an original FitFlop does. True, they're a splurge, but trust me, I have worn my pairs in desert, on rocks, in the snow, and in rain. Used 'em. Abused 'em. They have the usual wear and tear, but are STILL going strong after 3-4 years of CONSTANT wearing. By constant, I mean constant - as slippers, as office shoes, as everything. The only drawback of them is the scooter-look (lol). They are comfy, but not the cutest looking shoes. I have foot-related issues and have certain requirements regarding my footwear that leave me with limited options. They look quite "butch" on my feet - a fact that I have made peace with. However, for more formal settings, I needed something a bit more 'elegant'. Banda FitFlops are the new generation FitFlops with a thinner sole and heel. It has sandal and slide versions in different colors. Almost all of them cost around GBP 85 - 110, unless on sale. During Black Friday deals, I spotted TAN (and other colors) at Nordstrom, but before I could successfully purchase, my size had flown off the shelf. I ended up finding it on Amazon at a great deal and grabbed it. It took me a while to find a reliable vendor - which is a risk in itself if you are not ordering through official website. When I received them here in Pakistan, I was somewhat disappointed in Amazon (seller's) packaging and customer service. The item was wrapped in a thin plastic bag, no box and with hard acrylic/plastic inserts that were meant to maintain the shoe's shape. Those, however, were too hard against the soft original tan leather and caused certain scratches during the transit. If given a choice, I would pay a higher price at stores like Nordstrom or Shoetique and have them reach me in perfect condition. Thankfully, the scratches were one/two and turned out to be very minor that they remained invisible until you specifically looked for them - still, the thought that it could have been much worse without any chance of refund/replacement is daunting. Take care when you order from Amazon. Other than that, they are a beauty - by the standards of a comfy-shoe-a-holic. They fit perfectly and feel amazing throughout the day.<br />
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I have expressed my utmost love for the <b>Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation in Medium Beige</b>. It can be used on any occasion due to its blendability and coverage. I had a shade darker than my skin tone which I gave away and grabbed Medium Beige. Since the pigmentation levels and undertones over my face vary, I feel the foundation is lighter than my liking. I don't wish to give this one away again, so I will definitely see how I can make this work for me during Summers.<br />
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The best time to shop for NARS is during the three-four Black Friday sales at their website. Unless you have Sephora VIB, Rouge or special points to redeem during the sales or so, the best sale on NARS is the 20% off with free-shipping on their official website. I looked through all the products and went through my rigorous shortlisting procedure to choose these beauties - <b>NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger</b> - I have only swatched it once till date, but the tiniest swatch under the eyes covered my dark circles by 90% without any assistance from eye cream, serum, primer or color corrector. It is shade darker than my skin tone, that helps cover my dark circles well without making them look grey. I would not be able to use it on the rest of my face for any blemishes or so since Custard would have been a better match for NC20-25. It is love at first swatch and I will compare it against the much-raved Maybelline Fit Me to let you know the results. <b>NARS The Multiple in Orgasm </b>- If you have read my 2015 Beauty Favorites post, you would know how The Multiple in Copacabana won me over. I wanted to grab one of my favorite blushes in the ease of a Multiple - enter Orgasm. My experience with NARS Super Orgasm Illuminator was less than satisfactory. It would flatter duskier skin, but blended into oblivion on mine. The amount of glitter chunks in liquid illuminator version was a turn-off as well. I was a tad unsure about how NARS Orgasm Multiple would turn out. To my pleasant surprise, it was amazing! I do plan on getting South Beach, Portofino (may be), Laos and Siam (hell yeah). I toyed with the idea of purchasing NARS Sheer Glow or All Day Luminous foundation, Dolce Vita Lipstick, Vera or Janet in Audacious Lipstick, Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Pencil (omG, love!) and Mata Hari Powder Blush. Due to budgetary choices, I made the decision of purchasing something I had been aiming for quite some time - a RED blush - <b>NARS Powder Blush in Exhibit A</b>. It comes off as a red with warm undertones - something that would flatter the warm skin tones. It might look outrageously loud in the pan, but you can work it as an amazingly natural cheek color in every type of look/occasion. This is an actual picture of the Exhibit A blush that I took today - It is LOVE <3<br />
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Bath & Body Works holds a special place in hearts of those who love fragrance & body care essentials. From the cult-classic pocketbacs to 3-wick candles and fragrance mists, BBW has a wide range of products to cater to everyone's preferences in fragrances. They had an incredible semi-annual sale with good cut-downs and bundle deals, especially on the seasonal fragrances. I am a big fan of <b>Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom</b> fragrance mists, so got that for my Mom. I'm a fresh-scent person, but it is a scent that I fell head over heels for. Must-try! Other fragrance mists from Bath & Body Works were <b>Jingle All The Way</b> and <b>Beautiful Day.</b> Really happy with Beautiful Day! <b>Bath & Body Works Moonlight Path Body Butter, Pocketbacs </b>in<b> Energy, Stress Relief, </b>and <b>Paris Amour </b>were my other picks from the sale at great prices.<br />
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I love neutral eyeshadow palettes for the occasional times when I actually wear anything other than eyeliner and mascara. All of my palettes lean warm & gold and I wanted to grab something in the silver-smokey undertones. <b>Morphe Eyeshadow Palette in 35D</b> is something I have been eyeing for quite some time. Although the Black Friday Morphe sales made the brushes go out of stock, I was lucky enough to grab two eyeshadow blending brushes from <b>Morphe M441 and M433 Blending Brushes</b>. I can't say much about either of the two Morphe finds yet because I haven't used them much.<br />
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<b>Benefit Roller Lash Mascara</b> and <b>Girl Meets Pearl </b>are two of my wishlist items. I have used and reviewed Girl Meets Pearl on the blog and the regular readers know my love for They're Real mascara. I tried Roller Lash by borrowing from a friend and just as my previous mascara was breathing its last, I wanted to switch it up and see if the new Roller Lash is worth the hype for the short, sparse and stubby lashes that do not hold the curve. Will definitely be doing a comparison post for the two mascaras.<br />
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<b>The Balm Schwing Eyeliner</b> and <b>Urban Decay Travel Eyeliner Set</b> were purchased by me for the days when I do not have the patience to carefully draw the line using Inglot AMC 77 Gel Eyeliner. Both of them were intense in pigmentation and I absolutely adore how Schwing turned out to be. People need to rave about it more often. Definitely an underrated product, I feel.<br />
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<b>Tarte My Favorite Things</b>,<b> Laura Geller Gilded Honey</b> and <b>Bite Beauty Luminous Lipstick in Pepper</b> included three of my wishlist items that I was able to grab at a good bargain. Gilded Honey's packaging and size were less than impressive, but the product itself was remarkably good. #WhatHighlighterDreamsAreMadeOf. Seriously! I wanted to grab Guava at the 50% off sale as well, but may be next time. Maracuja Oil from Tarte remains untouched so far, but I am happy that I got it in a value pack with full-sized Lipsurgence and deluxe cheek stain - all in the price for which the Maracuja oil deluxe would retail alone! I had tried Bite Beauty lipstick formulation before in brighter shades, but this wearable color allows me to sport a nude-rose lip in a long-lasting creme finish.<br />
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Last, but not the least - Colourpop. I am amazed by the value-for-money offerings that Colourpop has. I have lined up a big review of Colourpop items, so I will not say much about them yet - except for the fact that I love their products. All of them.<br />
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This combined haul was made possible due to my beloved husband who, for once, gave me a free reign to splurge on cosmetics. It's my birthday and once-a-year (a decade, in his words) occurrence, so I cherish it THE MOST <3 I will try to be a good girl this year and use at least quarter of my stash to try new stuff :) Insha'Allah!<br />
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The ladies behind cosmetics businesses on Facebook are the ones I am extremely grateful towards. Aisha of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MacAddict848/" target="_blank">MAC Addict</a>, Summaiya of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Endulgence25/" target="_blank">Endulgence</a>, Maruee of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/zenskyfashion/" target="_blank">Zensky</a>, Sidra of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InternationalMakeupinPakistan/" target="_blank">International Makeup in Pakistan</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ayeshaismail13" target="_blank">Ayesha Ismail</a> did a fabulous job of procuring my much-loved items. I adore them and you MUST check out their pages for the drool-worthy pre-orders and in-stock items <3<br />
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As promised, here is a list of complete haul items, Masha'Allah! They were in parts and on sale, so the prices might vary now - hence, not quoting them:<br />
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- Remington S9600 Silk Straightener<br />
- Nivea Men After-Shave Balm (to use as makeup primer)<br />
- Victoria's Secret Bombshell Perfume<br />
- BBW Fragrance Mists in Beautiful Day, Japanese Cherry Blossom, Jingle All The Way<br />
- BBW Pocketbac Sanitizers in Stress Relief, Energy, Paris Amour<br />
- BBW Body Butter in Moonlight Path<br />
- Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation in Medium Beige<br />
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger<br />
- NARS Multiple in Orgasm<br />
- NARS Blush in Exhibit A<br />
- Laura Geller Gilded Honey Baked Highlighter<br />
- Soap and Glory Kickass Compact Powder (an older purchase from UK)<br />
- Urban Decay - Triple Threat Travel Pencil Set<br />
- Fitflop Banda Shoes in TAN<br />
- The Balm Schwing Black Liquid Eyeliner<br />
- NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Cannes<br />
- Morphe Brushes for blending - M441 and 433<br />
- Bite Beauty Luminous Cream Lipstick in Pepper<br />
- Benefit Roller Lash Mascara<br />
- Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Illuminator<br />
- Morphe 35D Palette<br />
- Tarte My Favorite Things Bestsellers Set with Full Size Lipsurgence, Maracuja Oil, and Highlighter<br />
- Colourpop Lippie Stix - Primer, LBB, Bossy, Clique, Behr Hug<br />
- Colourpop Super Shock Eyeshadows - Bae, Roulette, Get Lucky, Glitterati, Coconut, Hammered, Silver, Mooning, etc.<br />
- Colourpop Eyeliners - Silver (gel), Bee Sting (pencil)<br />
- Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip - More Better, Drive In, Scrooge<br />
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Thank you for going through the picture-heavy post! Do let me know in the comments that what would you like to see a mini / detailed review of ? <3<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-63891008057066296862016-01-14T16:17:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:14.317+05:002015 Beauty Favorites - Lips<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey, dearies! I am overwhelmed by your love and response on the 2015 Favorites post. Thank you for your continuous support. Motivates me to be the nice girl who posts often :-D As you all know, my love for lip products knows no bounds. If given a choice to keep one makeup item for life, it would be a lipstick. There is something about it that's an immediate mood-booster for me, even if the rest of my look resembles that of an asylum runaway. </div>
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Without further ago, let me share the run down of all the products that I have discovered and loved through 2015. To the other lipsticks in the stash, I did not mean to discriminate against you:</div>
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First, let me begin by remembering those who have fallen. You are gone, but never forgotten. Your remains in my drawers are a tribute to how awesome you were in your bloom: Guerlain Chamade and Illamasqua Climax. The summers melted you before I could. I never let out an actual anguished scream on a makeup item, but I let out a big one for Guerlain, followed by a full minute of minute of silence. Yes, I have a knack of being dramatic. I still have the bullet in a container that I vow to use and end before this quarter :) Summers is generally a bad time for lipsticks. No matter how nicely I store them, the temperatures make the creamier ones prone to breakage. Hoping that this year the liquid lipsticks and plexi-glosses are a good replacement. </div>
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My lips have natural fine lines. Certain matte formulations in the lip products make them even more pronounced and give off a feeling of them being parched. I find creamier and hydrating formula more forgiving in that regard. However, they slip and transfer during the day and that's a wee bit of a turn-off for me. This year was dedicated to liquid lipsticks. I wanted to try different lipstick formulations in liquid form and give a big round-up. I am still working on that and will hopefully grab a few more (after a spending ban) and share my findings.</div>
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<b>Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Bumble & Creeper </b>- Colourpop's release of Ultra Mattes took the beauty world by a storm. I went berserk looking for different swatches online before they released to shortlist the ones I'd like to try. When selecting more than one lip colors from the same range, I like them to be different in terms of finish/shade to have a good look at the spectrum of their offering. Bumble looked like a rose-brown color that would flatter everyone, It truly is a universal color, I feel. Creeper on the other end was a fire-engine red. It was neutral true red that brightened my face up enough to receive a nod of admiration from my hubster. Win! I wasn't quite thrilled with the formulation since it would dry my lips out within a couple of hours. To be honest, almost every other mattifying formula will be drying to your lips if you compare it with a conventional lipstick. I crossed liquid lip products off my trial list when I initially tried a few different formulations. They are more intense and brighter in pigmentation, but the ease was missing. As I adjusted my expectations and tried to make them work, I discovered some of the more forgiving shades/brands. I apply a thin layer for these two Colourpop Ultra Mattes and use a thin brush to make sharp lines. Thankfully, the drying issues are significantly decreased by this. Bumble and Creeper were from their newly launched lines. The formulation of other Ultra Mattes that have been released after the original line, an upgrade is done to make the liquid lipstick less drying and I love that!<br />
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<b>NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp & Copenhagen </b>- I caved in to the hype of SMLC later than I should have. Truth is, I was actually too early aboard that train. The not-so-popular version of NYX liquid lipsticks was the Xtreme Lip Cream. Before purchasing that, I researched on the older line of SMLC and found out that they were less pigmented than Xtreme Lip Cream - so I ended up buying Buttery Nude almost 3 years ago. It took me a while to buy these since I was on the hunt for a bargain. One fine day, I got it through ULTA 40% off sale at the least PKR prices possible and I chose two very different shades - Copenhagen and Antwerp. The formulation is like soft mousse-cream, very light and decently opaque. Just how people either love or hate Wet n Wild Mega Last lipsticks, these have received mixed reviews. I like how this is a decent step from the conventional lipsticks and not quite drying on the lips like most liquid formula are. I love berry shades and Copenhagen is the perfect fall color. Antwerp mimics those pale pink lips and cheeks that you see in the ancient pictures of alabaster skin. The good part is, it gives the same impact on my NC20-25 skin tone with pigmented lips. The wear-time is good 4-5 hours without drying the lips. After that, I usually reapply or pat it down to a stain. This one doesn't peel off and leaves a nice stain on the lips. I recently acquired Cannes, but have not even swatched it yet. Will surely be updating you all on that one too.<br />
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<b>Clazona 24-HR Matte Lip Gloss</b> - It's a bit unnerving to call something a "matte" "lip gloss". Clazona could have done better than that. It is misleading because you can't tell what the end-result of this would be. Anyway, I was intrigued by Clazona as Shehrbano of <a href="http://fromothersideofmirror.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From The Other Side of Mirror</a> shared a swatch of hers over social media. The picture in the poster is also through the courtesy of Sherry. Read up on her review and check out her swatches - you will be more than interested in grabbing these budget beauties in your next trip. Locally, Clazona is available at small cosmetics stores since it might not have a full display counter. Al Fatah, Colour Collection, Quik Check and Destiny in Lahore stock these (as per my knowledge). In Karachi, Vicky's and Lifestyle Cosmetics in Khadda Market plus Naheed might stock these (among other places that I have no legit information of). For less than PKR 200, these have a variety of pinks, browns, rose, reds - all wearable colors. They are significantly drying on the lips, but the trick of thin application serves well. They are non-transferable and keep the color intact for over 6 hours.<br />
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<b>Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita </b>- The formulation of Kat Von D is the benchmark against which every other liquid lipstick is evaluated. It might not be THE pioneer of the liquid lipsticks, but certainly perfected them beyond the indie goodness. Lolita is a neutral mauve-brown shade which is a must-have for those who seek wearable liquid lipstick shades. It doesn't flake or peel off on my lips. There is a new version of Lolita in the market and appears more rose-brown with less mauve-y undertones. That one resonates better with my liking, but I would still not give up on Lolita 1. Bauhau5, Mother, Double Dare and Susperia remain on my wishlist that I hope to acquire this year.<br />
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<b>Lime Crime Velvetine in Wicked</b> - My interest in this one was fueled by Instagram. I grabbed it as soon as it showed up in a Facebook page instocks. The color appeared darker than what I expected and bolder than what I would have normally worn. Still, it defines awesome-ness. Berry, rich and dark velvet of awesome-ness. The consistency is just perfect. Not too thick or thin. Its comfort of wear and pigmentation are remarkable. It doesn't peel off or settle in my fine lines either. I will be checking out Pink Velvet and Salem next!<br />
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<b>MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Relentlessly Red</b> - It is red, pink, coral - all wrapped into a matte and long-lasting package. If you are wanting a full-blown red color, this might not be your pick. If you can look beyond the name, you will find a velvet matte finish color that stays fresh on your lips for the 7+ hours. If you wish to grab something deeper than this, the same range has All Fired Up and I find both of these flatter your skin very much. I have been grabbing this often for all sorts of occasions and routine usage. Love it!<br />
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<b>Colourpop Lippie Pencil in Brink</b> - I didn't think I had it in me to love a lip pencil this much. They were considered an unnecessary step for me which I skipped almost always. Since I grabbed this in my first Colourpop haul, this is the absolutely best MLBB neutral lip liner that is creamy and precise enough to stay put throughout the day. Moreover, I love pairing it with all sorts of lipsticks. The milky light corals that stayed in my stash for so long, but were not being used... now they flatter me as I make a slight ombre or draw a natural line around the lips to make any color look more mature. With the Brink lippie stix, it just ups the amp SO much!<br />
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<b>Makeup Revolution Amazing Lipstick in Dare </b>- I love my red lipsticks. You can find a detailed post on the MUR Amazing lipsticks range here on the blog. Out of those, Dare stood out the most and I have been using it so often as a quick red that flatters my skin tone so much. Atomic is another intense red shade from the same collection, but I find myself reaching for Dare more often. The sad part of this would be that the packaging of these lipsticks is somewhat flimsy and I am unable to carry them around in my office bag. They're relatively soft, so you have to be extra careful with them during summers.<br />
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<b>MAC Amplified Lipstick in Brick O La</b> - I am wearing this right now! It is something that online swatches never convinced to buy. I spotted this during an in-store visit and was quite impressed by how wearable flesh-toned brown this is. On lips, it looks a little brighter and makes you appear more...ummm.. polished. That's what I thought of when I first wore it to office. Since then, it has become one of the most used MAC lipsticks of my collection.<br />
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<b>MAC Lipstick in Viva Glam Miley Cyrus </b>- I was smitten by the lip color when I first saw it at Instagram in a pre-release image. I am not a fan of Miley, but the shade was so darn good. It went out of stock almost immediately and I couldn't grab one when I wanted to. Later, on my usual Al Fatah browsing in Lahore, they had these lipsticks available and the lady informed that they are just unpacking these for display. I couldn't be happier. That is the quickest I have made the decision on something :P It is very similar to Impassioned, but leans more pink on me. It is another one of those bold face brightening shades. If you find Candy Yum Yum too out there and would like a lighter fuchsia to make your lips pop - this is it!<br />
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<b>Revlon Kissable Just Bitten Balm Stain in Honey </b>- I have raved enough about this one for years. Just to reiterate for those who are reading this up for the first time - this balm stain is your best friend for making your natural lip color a bit more enhanced. It applies sheer, but you can build it up to your liking. It is never opaque, but more like a translucent finish at its best. My recommendation would be to not swipe it too much because you'd end up getting the stain to be patchier as the time lapses. For more even and gorgeous stain on your lips, 2-3 swipes would be more than enough.<br />
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<b>Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Plumrose</b> - It had been a part of my stash for over a year, but I rarely reached out for this. So much so, that I handed it down to my Mom who is a fan of neutral shades. Once she came to visit me and I HAD to ask what color was she wearing because it looked breathtakingly beautiful flesh color with mauve undertones. When I found out, I had to take it back - LOL :D No, actually, it is still with her, but I totally wore it when stepping out for a drink or a quick trip to the market. The watermelon-y fragrance that I hated in Color Statement lipsticks is gone, Thank God! The wear time and finish is pretty decent and they are very comfortable to wear. I do recommend this!<br />
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<b>Makeup Revolution I Heart Makeup Super Wow Stick in Call Me</b> - If you haven't already, head over to my review post and check out the swatch for this collection. You are bound to fall in love with the bright & bold colors. Call Me is my favorite and they are the perfect velvet mattes that do not budge. They give a suede-like finish on your lips once they set and will last you through a hot day with meals and drinks. Call Me is the closest to my ultimate love - RUBY WOO <3 perhaps even brighter. Comparisons of the two are also shared on the blog :) For an economical price tag, you get one of the best lip formulations I tried in 2015. Available at Daraz.PK and Reforma.PK :)<br />
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<b>Colourpop Lippie Stix in Go Fish</b> - I got this without looking at any reviews and the finish was described as 'hyperglossy', so I thought it would not be opaque or long-lasting. Well, I was wrong on both accords. It is slightly creamier than their cream finish and a hint of glossy finish that would make your lips appear voluptuous. The shade is my FAVORITE! It is a perfect balance between pink and coral to flatter me with and without makeup. It is bold and a total statement lip color that you can sport with minimal or natural makeup. It lasts SO well and stains the lips very nicely for over 7 hours :-) Oh, and it photographs brilliantly ;-)<br />
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.....and that's a wrap!<br />
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There were many lip shades that I couldn't include since I HAD to make finite number of choices that fit in a poster :-D Some of those are highlighted in the Monthly Favorites post - all of which you can see on my Facebook page albums.<br />
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What lip colors have you loved and would like to recommend?<br />
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My wishlist this year includes (but is not limited to):<br />
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- NARS in Dolce Vita, Dragon Girl, Yu<br />
- Estee Lauder Color Envy<br />
- Bite Luminous Creme Lipstick<br />
- MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Color<br />
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick<br />
- Guerlain/Lancome/Chanel/Bobbi Brown - different high end formulations<br />
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Do let me know what you aim to try this year?<br />
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Cheers,<br />
<br />
Bia<br />
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-77548133208837359952016-01-12T18:06:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:15.334+05:002015 Beauty Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey, peeps! There has been a lot of social media debate about whether or not to wish New Year. It is a calendar change which is cathartic in certain ways. Here's to wishing that you make good of 2016 and may the fate be ever-so-kind towards all of you!<br />
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Did you guys make any beauty resolutions?<br />
More so, what are the results of your last year's beauty resolutions.<br />
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One of my 2015 resolutions was to share my favorites every month. I did. Even if I was submitting September Favorites in December ;) You can check 11 months of Favorites on my Facebook. The last three months did not have corresponding posts because I was short on time due to frequent travel plans and work/family commitments. Another resolution was to declutter my makeup drawers and that I effectively did for the most part. I did rediscover some of the old favorites and hauled my beauty wishlist - courtesy of my dearest husband who agreed to it... begrudgingly :-P<br />
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I am back to a spending ban and have lots of creative aspirations for 2016. Hoping that they pan out well. I will cut my random blabber and take you right to my beauty picks!<br />
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Don't mind if it seems a little rushed. There are almost 60 products that cannot be elaborated upon in one post. For any queries, you may comments, email or reach out on Facebook and I shall make sure that I give a timely response <3<br />
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Let's have a quick look at my 2015 winners in both high-end and drugstore categories. I should, however, inform you all that I tried offering a pricey option and an affordable counterpart for the categories, where applicable. I will specify which I liked more between the two choices, so that you can draw your shopping wishlists and try them on, if you haven't done already!<br />
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<b>Smashbox Photo Finish Primer</b> - This is a cult classic face primer to be worn underneath your makeup. The silicone-y slip of the primer makes the foundation glide effortlessly on your skin. It's a splurge, but you can find travel size and deluxe packagings that last for a fairly long time. It is better than its other counterparts, but if you are looking for this to control oil - it won't. You'd be needing the compact or mattifying spray (AND blotting sheets, in my case).<br />
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<b>Butterfly Cosmetics Perfect Makeup Base</b> - It is an impulse buy from Al Fatah, Lahore that I have fallen in love with. I, most definitely, prefer this over my more expensive primers. This costs around 500-700. It has an updated packaging now (which I saw online). I have not spotted it in Karachi yet. This one works really nicely to prime your skin without the greasy slip of silicone. The makeup stays put pretty well. My pores are not filled completely, but they do get a soft-focus effect with the primer and I am super pleased with it.<br />
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<b>Magicosmetix Orange Concealer Neutralizer</b> - I was scared to see the bright coral orange cream pot. I have previously had problems with color correctors peeking through foundations. When applied, it was bright peachy orange against my skin. I had my fair share of doubts, but I was blown away by how awesomely my pigmentation was covered - without leaving the tiniest tint of orange when covered with foundation/concealer. That's a true corrector & neutralizer.<br />
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<b>Stageline Paint Stick in Orange</b> - Stageline Paint Sticks were purchased by me earlier last year and I found them to be super slick in blendability. That did not pan out well for me during sweaty summers as the product would move. However, the Orange corrector (Paint Stick) was the perfect one for my skin tone and dark circles. It is creamy and peachy. I can even wear it alone to neutralize dark circles without having any need to layer it up with the concealer. What sorcery is that, you ask? Because it just has the right amount of peach undertones to neutralize my pigmentation on the NC20-25 skin tone. If you have darker skin tone and deeper dark circles, you need to pick a darker orange/red shade of the corrector. I will compare all the ones I have used in a review!<br />
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<b>Urban Decay Afterglow Blush</b> - These are some of the gorgeously pigmented blushes that apply like a dream. It's weird to say this our loud, but I feel they can "sense" what type of application I am looking for :-P They will be sheer or nicely layered just up to my liking every.single.time. I have Crush and Bittersweet with me and I plan on grabbing Quiver, Rapture and Bang next. Oh, and the packaging - so cool! It's grunge-meets-sleek. I would have liked a mirror, but that's not a dealbreaker. I barely ever use the mirrors included in the blushes (if I can help it).<br />
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<b>Makeup Revolution Blush</b> - The blush line from Makeup Revolution is a winner for me for its variety, formulation, product quality, price point and performance overall. From lacquer and cream formula to powder and baked range. They've got it all. It is available at Reforma.PK and Daraz.PK in Pakistan. You've got to try their wide range of products, You can find many of their product lines reviewed at the blog here as well.<br />
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<b>MAC Studio Fix Foundation </b>- This is a recurring favorite from last year. I understand that people have a love-hate relationship with MAC foundations. At the time of purchase, I was unsure and I did not quite use it much at first due to absence of a pump dispenser. Over the period, however, it became an almost-holy grail for me because I can rely on it for every season, function, coverage need and everything else. I have NC20-30 skin tone, so as a safe bet through the year, I had chosen NC25 and that works well all year round. You can check the swatch and review in my Foundation Collection 1 post.<br />
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<b>Jordana Complete Cover Foundation</b> - It is a slim little tube that I did not expect to fall in love with for something that is as light as a BB cream, but gives me enough coverage to skip an undereye concealer altogether. It does have its fair share of "oh-no-no's" like the transferability issue that cannot be curbed with powder or setting spray. Apart from that, it is quite a stellar product that younger teens and university students can enjoy without any fuss over blending.<br />
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<b>Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer</b> - Every drugstore concealer recommendation videos, articles, and posts include Age Rewind. I thought it is about time that I grab this one for a trial and comparison! Using a lighter shade of concealer irks me so much. I wasn't sure how to choose an appropriate shade for myself since they have limited shades. I ended up choosing Neutralizer which is a little lighter than my liking, but works wonderfully over my orange correctors. It doesn't settle into my fine lines and provides good coverage as well. Good choice for pale-to-medium skin tones with light-to-moderate pigmentation.<br />
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<b>Maybelline Fit Me Concealer</b> - This was not an instant favorite, to be very honest. I used half of it wrong, trying to blend the concealer the wrong way. The trick is to apply and blend the edges, so that the necessary coverage is provided to you without lifting the color off of the problem area. Setting it with a compact powder locks the cream concealer in. Now, it is my absolute favorite with and without foundations. If you have NC25 skin tone with light undereye circles, 120 will be a good choice. For deeper circles, 125 medium is appropriate. It is best to begin with a neutralizing color corrector as this does not have the right undertones to do that job by itself.<br />
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<b>NARS The Multiple in Copacabana</b> - I remember asking on a beauty forum about the best cream highlighter formula since my friend is *OBSESSED* about highlighters and does not use any other makeup item... like ever. One of a very reputable makeup artists and trainer - Wafa Khan - mentioned how awesome Copacabana the Multiple is. This looked like cool-toned highlighter which I got for my friend. Once I swatched hers, it suited my warm-neutral toned skin just as much as her cool toned one. I was intrigued enough to grab my own and this is some awesome stuff! It glides so effortlessly and gives just right amount of highlight that you can build up or sheer out up to your comfort level. Equally great with/without foundations! I have used other cream/stick highlighter products that remain tacky for a while or become a nightmare in Summers over oily sweaty skin. Not this one! This is something that will last you a long while and I will keep re-purchasing this!<br />
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<b>Essence Soo Glow Highlighter</b> - My love for this started before they were launched in Pakistan. My lovely cousin in Germany sent this over to Pakistan and I couldn't be more overjoyed with the amazing quality and fuss-free application of the natural highlighter. It is cream-to-powder formulation that I like. Its texture is comparable to some of the high-end products I have. They are available at Essence makeup counters and online as well! Looking forward to more offerings from Essence.<br />
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<b>Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder</b> - I am clumsy and scared of loose makeup pigments and powders, making a mess all around me. However, this has been a game changer. It sifts the right amount of product that you can shake to go back in, if you feel too much product has been dispensed. It is finely-milled and I love applying it with the flat end of Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge over the foundation or moisturizer in Summers. Pricey, but a win so far!<br />
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<b>Essence All About Matt Compact Powder</b> - It is one of those things you top your grocery basket off at the checkout counter with and flash a quick smile at your Mom for :P I had read positive reviews about this and was in one of those phases where I wanted to see if something can outperform the Rimmel Stay Matte powder. Turns out, this one does - on most fronts, at least! Very little is needed for you to set your complexion products and the price tag of 500 helps a lot in making the choice :)<br />
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<b>Sleek Contour Kit in Medium</b> - I tried nearly 10 different products for contouring this year, but nothing came close to the ease of using Sleek Contour Kit. It is a budget buy that performs so well while you are a beginner at makeup. Lately, I have discovered that cool-toned (grey-browns) mimic the color of natural shadows better and I am in search for a proper cool-toned kit, still, this one remains my first choice :)<br />
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<b>MAC Prep & Prime Lip</b> - Another recurring favorite from last year. It is a non-greasy primer to wear underneath your lip products. It helps the liquid and matte lipsticks glide easily over the lips without compromising on the shade. It does enhance the longevity of the lip products too. My Holy Grail!<br />
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<b>Colourpop Lippie Stix Primer</b> - I am still experimenting with this one to find out if it is a worthy second to the MAC lip primer. It is in the favorites list this year to have you all know of a cheaper alternative. So far, I love it under the lipsticks like Ruby Woo and the drying Colourpop Ultra Mattes. It feels a tad heavier than MAC, not significantly so. A good buy for its price!<br />
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<b>MAC Prep & Prime Fix+ Spray</b> - I have sung sonnets in its praise on my previous posts - 2014 Favorites and 5 Fixing Spray review posts. I will reiterate that the super awesome multipurpose spray is another item I will repurchase all my life. It is not a hardcore makeup fixing spray. This, instead, is a makeup finishing spray that works very well on different stages of makeup. I love it over bare skin as well as under/over my makeup. It seems pretty bland to those who have not witnessed the awesomness of it, but you MUST at least try a travel size of this and discover the goodness locked within.<br />
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<b>Makeup Revolution Amazing Makeup Setting Spray </b>- It has been a part of my detailed comparison review and I will simply say here that this gives you the right bang for your buck. It promises to keep your makeup intact longer and does just that for a very good amount of time, especially with the summer heat.<br />
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<b>The Original Beautyblender</b> - I could never justify liking a sponge so much. This is quite a splurge and then you need to take real care of it. Like one of those assignments where you have to take care of an egg as if that's your baby. Well, that's true. I damaged my BB in the first 20 minutes of grabbing, using, and washing it. I still used it for quite some time before hopping onto next one while delaying for dupes. The effortless finish the dampened sponge gives you is the best version of your skin. I will update more on this in the comparison post with the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.<br />
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<b>Real Techniques Core Collection</b> - A favorite from the last year's winners, my love for this has been strong in 2015 as well. You can truly manage full face of makeup with this one. Each brush serves different purpose and can do double-duty to give you the best complexion of yours. From creams, powders, liquids and mousse, these babies handle them all too well!<br />
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<b>The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Makeup Remover</b> - I can blindly rely on this remover to purge my skin of makeup residuals on eyes and lips. This makes full face of makeup removal a dream. Its prices are getting higher in Pakistan, so I am waiting to grab the replacements for this through online sales. Meanwhile, Simple Cleansing Wipes are happy to assist me.<br />
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<b>Nivea 2-in-1 Eye & Lip Makeup Remover</b> - Another waterproof makeup remover that you can grab from your nearest supermarket. I love it for its ease of makeup removal. However, I feel it might be a little harsh on the sensitive skin, if not shaken well before usage to mix the oil and water-based removers in it. Still, a cheap thrill that performs great!<br />
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<b>Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Medium Brown </b>- This is my ultimate brow-savior. It fueled my brow obsession to its extreme. Whether I want a groomed look for a lazy day or full-on intsa-brows for events - I can trust one product and that's it. With a stiff, thin slanted brush, you can have the dream-brows of your choice.<br />
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<b>DMGM Brow Pencil in Dark Brown</b> - When I am too rushed to open the pot and lovingly draw on brow hair at a time with my ABH pomade, I am doing the quick-fixes with DMGM Pencil. This is adequately pigmented and stiff in getting the job done for your brows. Another love of mine that has traveled the world in my bag and helped me through some serious sweaty days. Probably the only reason for not investing in the Brow Wiz by Anastasia.<br />
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<b>Lorac Skinny Palette in Black</b> - It was a Nordstrom anniversary exclusive at an unbelievably low price. I remember asking Ayesha Ismail to grab one for me - although these things fly off the shelf the exact minute they are released. Guess what, she had an early access card that allowed me to lay my hands on this one. Like most palettes I own, these are neutrals. I usually do not sport much eye makeup. Still, the day I tried Sigma brushes with this one - MAGIC happened. So buttery, so pigmented, so long-lasting. I can so all the eye looks I want all year round and not miss another shade ^_^ Total steal!<br />
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<b>Colourpop Super Shock Eyeshadows</b> - Instagram is full of rave reviews for brands that you probably haven't even heard of. Everyone was praising what an awesome thing CP eyeshadow formulation was. I was intrigued, but never enough to pay more than the dollar price. That is when a beautiful lady offered to order these for me and carry it with her to Pakistan at dollar prices. I couldn't be more ecstatic and carefully placed the order for very limited products. Had I known I would fall in love with everything, I would have probably hauled my *** off :D The eyeshadows are incredibly creamy and pigment. A little too fragile, but I can roll with that! The color payoff is something to drool over. Detailed review coming soon!<br />
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<b>Inglot AMC Gel Eyeliner in 77 Black</b> - Inglot recently reached in Pakistan and I was really happy for their full range of products and testers available for us to grab any time we wish to. The prices were reasonable as well - Reasonably by the Middle Eastern standards, at least. The gem of their BIG BIG collection is AMC Eyeliner in 77. The darkest and creamiest black that stays put through all kinds of weather! For PKR. 1300-1500, you cannot find a better eyeliner that glides on your lid and gives you control for that intense matte wing or tight-lining.<br />
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<b>Colorstudio Professional Hypnoeyes Eyeliner</b> - There were days when the best black pencil liners were failing me. I was recommended this Colorstudio eyeliner. My previous experience with Colorstudio marker liners has been really bad. They dried out and were not quite pigmented. This was a pleasant surprise as the liner dried matte and the felt tip made the application easy-breezy! Would definitely recommend to those who are looking for a decent liner on a bargain.<br />
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<b>Lorac Behind The Scenes Eyeshadow Primer</b> - It is the perfect eye primer for my oily eyelids. Usually, the best formulations crease or transfer on my hooded eye-fold. It sounds like an infomercial, but I'd still say that Lorac primer is the perfect solution to my eye makeup predicaments.<br />
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<b>NYX HD Eyeshadow Primer</b> - It has a smooth and silky slip to it which made me doubtful of its effectiveness. It is one of those cheap-thrills that paid off well. I don't only use this one on teh lids, but the whole eye contour area. It helps my correctors go on smoothly without breaking and cracking into fine lines.<br />
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<b>Benefit Roller Lash Mascara</b> - A new mascara release from Benefit - I first thought this will be one of those rotating brushes that some other brands have. I was not too keen on trying the deluxe mascara size because they somehow fail to deliver the same quality as the full-sized product. I have tried and failed all four times with deluxe mascaras, while the full-size of same products worked really well. I tried this after borrowing once from a friend and was amazed at how low-maintenance and high-impact this was. Pairing it up with They're Real does wonders too. I recently grabbed my own and can't be happier :)<br />
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<b>Benefit They're Real Mascara</b> - Y'all know this is my ultimate mascara love. Mine ended a couple of months ago and I am seriously contemplating the repurchase of this. The wand of They're Real is better for my stubby straight eyelashes than the Roller Lash's. Love it for so many other reasons - like it is not waterproof, but still stays put decently through face-wash, wuzu and sweaty summer days.<br />
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<b>Ardell Demi Wispies</b> - I remember bloggers raving about these and I was on the lookout for the lashes that do not appear super heavy. These are still a little too heavy for me to wear in the day, but absolutely perfect for the evening functions. My next try would be the 101 from Ardell False Lash line.<br />
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<b>Artmatic False Eyelashes</b> - The cheapest and reliable option. I rarely ever come across any local lash pair that I can sport well. I can't remember the name or the number, but there is one particular pair that I find flattering to wear on my eye shape and size :) For PKR 60-75, you can't go wrong with a relatively less dramatic and more natural eyelashes as this pair was. I can't remember the reference number for the life of me, but you may ask the counters for the simplest and smallest of all, lol.<br />
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<b>Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant</b> - All those who look for skin care reviews online are aware of Paula's Choice as a brand and a good reviewer of skin care products. I rely on this for the myth-busters that many brands had us believe. My original impulse was to grab a an exfoliating face wash from Paula's Choice, but this turned out to be a gel exfoliating serum. Something that you apply overnight. I will dedicate a detailed review of the post to this, but let's just say that this makes my skin smooth, blemish-free and bright, Masha'Allah! <3 A good splurge, if it suits you :)</div>
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<b>The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion</b> - This I have previously raved about in my favorites post as well as a full-blown review that you can find here on the blog! Overall, I still remain a fan of gentle exfoliation that doesn't dry my skin out or cause irritation. Those who are allergic to citrus items might want to skip on this though.</div>
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<b>Clinique Dramatically Different Gel Moisturizer</b> - The same moisturizer has a gel form and a lotion form that look ALIKE in formulation and packaging. The lotion is richer, of course for dry skinned beauties. Mine is combo-oily, so I use the gel version all year long. In Winters, I use 3 pumps and apply with fingers or sponge to buff it into my skin. It never crumbles or ball up under makeup and works as the ultimate moisturizer for me! You can try it out in different packaging sizes to see which one suits you. As soon as this finishes, I am trying the moisture surge one!</div>
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<b>The Body Shop Vitamin E Sorbet</b> - It's a repeat from the last year's favorites! It has a nice fluff to it that makes your skin super super smooth and hydrated. Although, you need to apply the right amount because if you overdo it, this is going to crumble a little under makeup blending.</div>
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<b>Bioderma Sensibio H2O</b> - I have barely used cleansers or toners this year because I consumed 3 bottles of this baby! This stuff is pure gold. In figurative terms, of course. It is so gentle in removing the most tenacious waterproof makeup and cleansing the skin along the way. The dream of the lazy girl is to not get up after you have used the remover to wash the face. This ensures that I am fine after tonnes of makeup with just a quick wipe and no rinse. </div>
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<b>La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF50+</b> - I still thank the awesome ladies who recommended La Roche-Posay as the routine sun-block. I don't trust the sunblocks that claim to control oil. I have been duped by the best and it is an achievement that this remains my favorite through two years. I have drafted a full review of this and will link back to this :-)</div>
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<b>Solaris SPF40+ Sun Block</b> - It was a tube of sunblock that I got from the doctor's office. Considering it is a local brand, the results were definitely worth mentioning. Shortly behind this, I have Nurnmir - another affordable local sunscreen that my dermatologist recommended. It reminds me of Spectraban as Solaris makes the skin smoother and works great as a makeup base as well. However, it is not the best for oil control and will suit normal skin the best.</div>
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<b>ISIS Unitone Reveal Gel</b> - A dermatologist invited in a program was recommending face-washes. Being the beauty blogger who barely ever watches TV, I was intrigued to know which ones does she pick. She mentioned a few and this name stuck with me. I was not actively seeking it, but recognized the name in my next trip to grocery shopping. I thought, well, let's try it. It made my skin fresh, nicely exfoliated and brighter without making it stretchy or dry... BUT the smell was chemical and I had to cringe every time I put it over my face. I must say that the smell dissipates as you apply, but it is worth-mentioning, if you wish to try this for the results.</div>
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<b>Pond's Pure White Deep Cleansing Face Wash</b> - I have mentioned my love affair with this one in multiple posts since 2013. It is a cheap thrill that I absolutely adore for its no-fuss-great-results qualities. In dry winters, it does lean towards being a little dry on me, but it still remains an evergreen love and you should give it a shot!</div>
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<b>Pure Desi Ubtan</b> - I have been on a mission this year to incorporate natural products and try DIYs in 2015. It is not as rewarding as people make it sound like, but it did impart a lot of knowledge and I will hopefully gather my thoughts to do a post on that. So, this Ubtan that I am talking about is a full-blown mask - not a yellow mustard powder. I have been mixing it with milk in colder weather and rose water in warm summers. There are no breakouts and it is helping my skin retain its moisture and softness. This I got from Ghunwa Memon of Pure Desi and if you haven't heard of the hype - her oils, masks and other products are a reliably pure and work very nicely. She does not make gimmicky claims for them. You can call them simpler products that you effectively enjoy. </div>
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<b>DIY Papaya Mask</b> - I have shared the recipe of this over social media. I'd like to give a big disclaimer that don't put anything and everything on your face. Do a patch test with these DIY items to see if you have any allergies or reactions and since you have no idea about shelf life, if you are making something - use it in one go. I pureed organic papaya, honey, and peppermint oil drop with a tiniest dash of buttermilk to make this and felt my skin become taut. Not the stretched out kind - the real firm and plumped up one. Was the most happiest and made it fresh a few times in the summers. </div>
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<b>Burberry London</b> - It was a gift from one of my besties and this has that amazing lingering feminine fragrance which you can smell if you pick up old clothes. That has been the dream I am glad I accomplished with this one.<br />
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<b>Versace Bright Crystal</b> - I remember testing and liking the fragrance at a store in Singapore. When my lovely sister-in-law presented it as a birthday gift last year, I couldn't help but fall in love with the fragrance. I am very bad at explaining notes and scents, so let's just say - YOU ALL NEED THIS! There are testers and deluxe sizes available for this, so you will be able to test it out before purchasing a full-sized ones. It is strong enough to linger on your skin and clothes, yet it does not cause any irritation to my eyes or skin.<br />
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<b>Toni & Guy Cleanse Shampoo for Damaged Hair</b> - It is my go-to shampoo. I keep switching shampoos up, but I return to this as the benchmark of great performance for the straw-like hair I happened to have acquired genetically.<br />
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<b>Vidal Sasoon Shampoo for Damaged Hair</b> - It's an impulse purchase that paid off well. I have a knack of picking "damaged hair" shampoos and this was another step in the quest of establishing a holy grail. However, all shampoos fail to perform beyond a certain period and need a little switch-up once a while. As for this one, my ends had taken the brunt of the extenso - and this particular shampoo softened them up considerably. It also cleansed the heavy hair oils that I kept testing on my hair.<br />
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<b>Lee Strafford Poker Straight Hair</b> - Another of the impulse purchases from Green Valley, that too at an amazing price. It claimed to be the mask for "flat iron addicts" and well, if it ever gets included in the dictionary, they will surely have my picture attached with the description. It doesn't reverse the heat damage (nothing can), but takes the stiffness away from the split ends to make your hair super soft.<br />
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<b>Lolane Keratin Repair Mask</b> - It's an affordable protein mask that you can apply at home. I have big issues with its updated packaging and the thin consistency of the product since it has become prone to spillage. Still, I am unable to relinquish it. Trust me, it is that good of a product. If I could specify one hair product I could keep repurchasing for life - it would be this one. I am sure there will be those who perform better, but at this price tag - I am more than satisfied!<br />
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<b>Bath & Body Works French Lavender Body Cream </b>- I'm not a regular with body creams, especially those with stronger fragrance. This, however, is a treat to apply. It gets absorbed within seconds and leaves a warm pleasant fragrance for the rest of the day. No residual remains, no tackiness. An absolutely awesome formula.<br />
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<b>Vaseline Lotion</b> - My Mom is a big fan of body butters and lotions. She swears by Vaseline as it provides necessary hydration without a hefty price tag. It gets absorbed in the skin really well and can be used around the year.<br />
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<b>Toni & Guy Nourish Condition for Fine Hair</b> - It promises to deliver weightless moisture and actively does just that. My hair are very thin in their structure and usually moisturizing products or those claiming to tame the flyaways cause my hair to lose their volume. This conditioner makes 'em soft, without weighing them down.<br />
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<b>Sunsilk Perfect Straight Conditioner</b> - Although this one does not live up to the "perfect straight" claims for me, but it still performs decently in making my hair manageable. The trick is to apply on the ends and keep it on for 2-5 minutes before washing it off.<br />
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<b>Toni & Guy Glamour Hair Spray</b> - It's the perfect flexi-hold hairspray that a gal like me needs. I'm not a fan of crunchy hair and that kind of spray makes my straightening go down the drain. With T&G Glamour, I get the right volume boost without compromising on the hold of my hairstyling.<br />
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<b>L'Oreal Elnett Firm Hold Hair Spray</b> - It is a cult classic for a very good reason. If you are into the same benefits that T&G provides at fraction of a price, go ahead with the Elnett. The crunch level is a bit higher in this one, but if you spray sparingly from a distance (unless you require the long-lasting hold), it should be just fine.<br />
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<b>As you all know, my love for lip products is not limited to two picks only. A separate and relatively more detailed post about those will be shared shortly after this one.</b></div>
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What have been your favorites last year? Which products would you recommend! I would love to hear your feedback <3 Thank you so much for your support!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia<br />
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-52746996230649749072015-12-14T21:11:00.001+05:002023-06-06T01:24:13.482+05:00The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer VS. Cindy-Lou Manizer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I remember browsing through something which bloggers raved about - "highlighter" - and all the highlighters I knew about at that time would come from Staedtler in NEON colors. It was a novel idea at that time and I was most fascinated by it. The first ever highlighter/illuminator I had were Benefit High Beam, Benefit Girl Meets Pearl, and ELF Facial Whip in Lilac Petal. I loved Girl Meets Pearl as it was easiest to sport without any base, while the other two were too frosty shimmery for my linking. </div>
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Then came along the highlighter that sparked my ever-growing interest in highlighted cheeks <3 The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer. It had its thumbs-up and thumbs-down, but *spoiler alert* I love how it complements my skin. While I was recovering from my obsession, there it was - the CINDY-LOU. While the promised sunshine and warm embrace of highlighters may be blinding ;-) You do need to make sensible makeup choices.</div>
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To get or to not get.... both. That is the question.</div>
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Here I am... possibly making the choice easier ;-) - Clickity Click:</div>
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The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer AKA The Luminizer ($24.00 for 8.5g) is promoted by The Balm as a 'highlighter, shadow & shimmer' that 'diffuses light' to make your skin appear 'younger' with 'soft glow'. In contrast, The Balm Cindy-Lou Manizer AKA The Con-tour Artist ($24 for 8.5g) is also claimed to be an 'all-in-one' product which you can use as an 'eyeshadow, blush, and highlighter'. It adds 'splash of color' and 'hint of shimmer' on your cheeks. Although both are considered identical products, there are subtle differences in the claims. This is actually what I just found out reading the website descriptions. It's a good practice to read up before purchasing the items and possibly weigh the claims against reviews - just so you can set your expectations right.<br />
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First up, the packaging - I love the cheeky vintage mugshot-esque paintings of fictitious 'Mary' and 'Cindy'. Cardboard packaging always makes the product more 'sophisticated'. The product inside is fixed securely in the packaging and you don't hear the rattle. However, do not be fooled by the seemingly metallic round product packaging inside. Why? I'll tell you after you have had a good look at these:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgWzsKzBrqo8GRAkarF9NNQbh7qNy7igGHWncisuao-mI5KYUCWUGb2BZ_nIy1CMmqBWr-5ohil7dD84fG9WH_yyyzvu4TwWOje1BsySXIfYgZYVH9VoKchlAddiBojUFBmK95S65do0/s1600/DSC_0031-1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgWzsKzBrqo8GRAkarF9NNQbh7qNy7igGHWncisuao-mI5KYUCWUGb2BZ_nIy1CMmqBWr-5ohil7dD84fG9WH_yyyzvu4TwWOje1BsySXIfYgZYVH9VoKchlAddiBojUFBmK95S65do0/s640/DSC_0031-1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These sturdy-looking metallic finish pans should come with a big FRAGILE tags. The highlighter pan and a compact mirror appear to have fit securely inside the packaging. However, the product inside is overly prone to breakage during transit and handling. I was heartbroken when Cindy-Lou Manizer reached me in a broken mess despite the bubble-wrap securely packed around it. Without any obvious signs of trauma, my beloved new highlighter had been reduced to chunky messy powder. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I was too eager to keep it and reached a settlement with the seller. Through the couple of years, I have witnessed many cases of similar product damage - a big red flag for The Balm to address. Thankfully, my Mary-Lou is intact till date, but there is always that sword hovering over my head. No matter what people say/show, I can never trust alcohol to repair the broken powdered products that well. Mainly, I feel the performance suffers, but that could just be me. Let's have a closer look at the product experience:<br />
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<b>Mary-Lou Manizer</b> was love at first swatch. I grabbed it on a bargain from an online cosmetics page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashpakistan/" target="_blank">HASH</a>. Great page! It was super easy dealing with them and the transaction was smooth.It's pale champagne gold color that complements my NC20-25 skin pretty well. The texture was buttery smooth without any glitter flecks (which are a deal-breaker for me). It was pigmented and intense, so I had to apply ever-so-slightly on the high points on my cheeks. Initially, I felt comfortable applying and blending this with my index finger without any complaints. Later on, the stippling brush would give nice diffused glow. The Mary-Lou landed on my bed one fine morning as I was getting up. Since I was about to leave for office, I simply put it on at 11:00 AM and returned at 5:00 PM with glowy bulb-y cheeks lasting through the summer heat. It became my go-to highlighter for both subtle lit-from-within on bare skin (now promoted as 'strobing') as well as the full-throttle highlight for evening looks. If you have read my bridal makeup review, you would know that I mentioned using Mary-Lou for my functions. It ticks all the right boxes for me, but is it a universally-flattering highlighter? I am afraid, it's not. There seem to be certain question marks with it. One, it is reported to leave white-ish cast on people with skin-tones NC35+ or medium-tan. Given the fact that majority of our population lies towards the medium-to-tan complexions, it might not be the best bet for dusky dames. Another issue which I sometimes noticed was that the Mary-Lou applied heavily would emphasize pores in the absence of the base or primer. However, it did was not a big issue as I would lightly dust it with a fan brush and the pigmentation showed up nicely on my cheeks. To be honest, I am too rushed to pick up the fan brush, so my highlighters are applied with finger pats. In that case, I have to apply and blend with blush brush. It is not the best way to go for it, but oh well! Those who have noticeable pores, you'd better watch out with this one.<br />
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<b>Cindy-Lou Manizer</b> was heart-attack at first swatch :-/ It arrived broken to the boot from the transit. I purchased it from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InternationalMakeupinPakistan/" target="_blank">International Makeup in Pakistan</a> and the admin of the cosmetics page was super accommodating and offered to return and refund. I, however, opted for partial refund and kept the product as I wanted to make it work for me. I tried pressing the shattered mess with alcohol swab and actually experimented first with a cheap blush by breaking and mending it. Was not impressed with the results of it, so eventually ended up passing it on in my blog sale. Let this be a word of caution to you all, life is short... and even shorter for the The Balm Manizer products -_- even when they are packed nicely in bubble-wrap and the whole shebang. Just be careful in handling these bad boys. All right, so let's get cracking on this (sad pun intended). Cindy-Lou Manizer is cool-toned pale pink with peach undertones. I would not classify it as warm-toned, but rather neutral or balanced. The pigmentation is significantly less than Mary-Lou Manizer and there are noticeable tiny specks of shimmer in this one. When applied lightly, it gives off a soft glow to your face that is not over-the-top. Packing it up over cream blushes made it look like a luminescent blush instead of a highlighter. I was bummed out to see that it took a lot of effort for it to show up nicely against my skin tone. In the swatch below done on my Mom with neutral undertones and NW/NC15-20 skin, it took multiple swipes for the swatch to show up. The fine glitter specks were a nuisance for me as it would not complement my warm skin tone. The only way it flatter my skin was in layering as a blush or over a cream rouge. My high expectations with this one were short-lived. However, I have seen it flatter pale skinned beauties. Interestingly, it did not emphasize the pores and gave a nice frosty highlight to go with silver makeup & dresses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZuXgWUWfMQv6FA6YjUskWh7M9xSuxRUyjI9N4l8ub-ErxOCWolGv7BgzXgS9o7bpfFQ90lgmVwRVd5Mjp_YIc3AqqTgIo-C249FhQeVZAMa30lDSELjQ5AqtQghne7we-8fdtvepN5I/s1600/DSC_0001-2+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZuXgWUWfMQv6FA6YjUskWh7M9xSuxRUyjI9N4l8ub-ErxOCWolGv7BgzXgS9o7bpfFQ90lgmVwRVd5Mjp_YIc3AqqTgIo-C249FhQeVZAMa30lDSELjQ5AqtQghne7we-8fdtvepN5I/s640/DSC_0001-2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(L) Cindy-Lou Manizer (R) Mary-Lou Manizer</td></tr>
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I did eye Betty Lou for a while to complete my set and great news for all The Balm lovers, a limited-edition holiday set contains all three of the Manizer highlighters and looks like a good value for all those wanting to try all three.<br />
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The Balm cosmetics are now available in-store within Pakistan at Scentsation, Dolmen Mall Clifton. <a href="https://www.thebalm.com/" target="_blank">The Balm</a> orders can be placed directly on their US website and they do deliver to Pakistan with 30-45 days of international transit. Look out for amazing deals and flash sales that they have on their website as well as HauteLook.<br />
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Are you a fan of highlighters? Have you tried any of these The Balm highlighters? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-24207020496051767142015-12-06T10:51:00.002+05:002023-06-06T01:24:10.809+05:00Nutrilov Granola Bars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hello and welcome to some very loyal old readers and hopefully some new ones! The Beauty Finds is back after the hiatus. Enjoyed Eid holidays, had my parents return safely from Hajj-e-Mubarak, Alhamdulilah! Had an important family function - Sister-in-Law's Nikah <3 Congrats, Em! :-* Partially celebrated "Meet-aversary" with my dearly beloved! And the latest, had my foot ligaments ruptured :-\ Yeah, that's the odd one out. So, roamed around for a week, unaware of the severity DESPITE a visit to the GP. Ended up in a plaster for few weeks. All in all, been busy! I missed blogging, but I have dabbled in other things creative and will share them all here. </div>
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As the comeback post, let me share my thoughts on something sweet and healthy. Granola bars have become the pinnacle for health and fitness enthusiasts. What do I think about that? Find out ahead:</div>
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<a name='more'></a>A little background on my food preferences since reviewing food items is tricky - everyone has their own palate. I am a big foodie, for starters. Like, literally, focus on the BIG part. Yet, I am almost resistant to trying new things. Weird, right? When we go in a restaurant, I will order the SAME thing from the menu. It comforts me a little better. You may ask Kay, Eff, and Emm to order for me - they will be VERY VERY specific, haha!<br />
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I don't have a sweet tooth. However, I have a whole set of teeth and then some for Chocolates :P Lately, I have been on and off "diets". Whether or not I am succeeding, that topic shall be discussed in a different post. Still, my biggest struggle with dieting is always about controlling the hunger pangs. I either eat too much or too less. Striking a balance for my tastebuds is difficult. I would want to indulge in a chocolate or two - followed by those hours of guilt and calories that girlfriend isn't burning :-/ Plus, with my life on-the-go, I satisfy my sugar cravings with stuff I can carry in the handbag without any fuss. That would leave me with limited options other than fruit or corn. Granola bars caught my attention, but they too would contain processed ingredients which will eventually be unhelpful in keeping a healthier lifestyle.<br />
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One fine day, I had a chance to try <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nutrilovpk/" target="_blank">Nutrilov Granola Bars</a>.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Nutrilov is operated from home in Karachi, Pakistan. </span>It was a friend's creation - so that puts me in closed quarters with creator of the brand. In all honesty, this is NOT a sponsored post and my foremost priority is to convey the real deal to all my audience members. This post will be what I genuinely feel! The brains (and beauty) behind the brand is Madiha and her family. She claims that her passion for the fitness lifestyle made her experiment in kitchen to create healthy snacks. She felt that there existed a need in the market to cater for youngsters (like herself) who found it hard to avoid the processed snacks - especially when they're the only ones readily available. The kitchxperiments were then taken to a new level as she pursued to launch her products formally.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQFY5W8zbLxokBqMZdxmg8mjQXqqYCsY25ZmDXTFSZsl7H9B4rFQb7L7jhq6nexUpocgl69C_LRRXyVaPmkV2sY3tvAGZ-iC154FF8O4x2RHOwe8_pJ-uxLA2mOdsLgo8JlakhPCq2es/s1600/DSC_0008+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQFY5W8zbLxokBqMZdxmg8mjQXqqYCsY25ZmDXTFSZsl7H9B4rFQb7L7jhq6nexUpocgl69C_LRRXyVaPmkV2sY3tvAGZ-iC154FF8O4x2RHOwe8_pJ-uxLA2mOdsLgo8JlakhPCq2es/s640/DSC_0008+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Nutrilov launched in 2015 with two variants of granola bars:</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">- Peanut Butter & Raisin</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">- Chocolate Chip & Coconut</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Priced at PKR 100 each, Nutrilov products are ordered online through their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nutrilovpk/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. The availability of products is currently limited to the residents of Karachi only. </span><br />
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The granola bars from Nurtilov are marketed as a 'healthy snack' that does not contain artificial additives. The sweetners added to the bars are either honey or brown sugar. As the brand claims, there is no wrong way of consuming the granola bars - you can enjoy it as a breakfast topping or tea-time snack, pack it up for your kids' lunch, consume as a pre-and-post workout snack or use it as an energizer for the expecting & feeding mothers. </div>
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So, how have the brand claims worked out for me? Let's find out:</div>
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Nutrilov Granola Bars comes in a printed cardboard packaging that holds the granola bar just right. The size of it - for reference - is a little over the palm of your hand. The cardboard packaging is not oversized and fits the actual bar just fine. The design on the packaging is not overly done and the quality of the cardboard is decent enough. I have been carrying the granola bars around in the bottomless abyss that is my office handbag and have not faced any issue with the product damage. Although, it is recommended that the bars are to be refrigerated for longer shelf-life and to preserve the natural ingredients. That does not mean your bars will get spoiled if you carry one in your purse for a few hours. It is the extended period of time in summers that you need to be careful of. </div>
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In temperature drop that we are experiencing now, they have been just fine as I carry one or two around without the refrigeration as well.</div>
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I am in the habit of turning the food packagings and reading the nutrition information. They might be disregarded as I read the calories off of all the junk food that I love, but I read nonetheless :) Many home-based brands of foods that I have tried skip nutrition information, so I'd like to appreciate Nutrilov's effort into disclosure of pertinent information on their packaging. This helps especially when I'm on my calorie counting days to keep the daily total 1200.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigeHxeUT0ASJhhnOiXrV0Y0NN2XdDel97Tp6v61zlnsZLEgYmsqoliOLN3fx-vCtfPMv8_K9KZtZOlMkDkRj0_r4LqBxnCBM_GGCeBB71PR4Qcpyffyh-vaBj_bUgVGgzQEt35ExEo58/s1600/DSC_0005+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigeHxeUT0ASJhhnOiXrV0Y0NN2XdDel97Tp6v61zlnsZLEgYmsqoliOLN3fx-vCtfPMv8_K9KZtZOlMkDkRj0_r4LqBxnCBM_GGCeBB71PR4Qcpyffyh-vaBj_bUgVGgzQEt35ExEo58/s640/DSC_0005+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coming onto the granola bar itself, it is neatly packed in a cling-film. It is not only hygienic, but keeps the granola bars travel friendly. </div>
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Now, I find the description of the 'taste' to be trickier. Please bear with me as I attempt to give you a fair idea! The Peanut Butter and Raisin flavor had the delectable peanut butter saltiness complemented well by the sweetness of the raisin bits. It was more condense (if that's the right word) than the granola bars you find in the market. The amount of peanut butter is well-balanced because there was no tackiness that usually is present due to the combo of peanut butter and raisins. Now, there is a matter of personal preference, but I like the granola bars to have major 'crunch' factor with crispier oats and cereal ingredients. Although this particular flavor is not soggy, but I felt that it could do with a crunchier crust. On the brighter side, these can be chewed easily by adults and children with sensitive teeth. Even I appreciated that when my mouth was sore with wisdom teeth popping up on both sides - rendering all the "crunch" painful -_- A single serving of bar is fulfilling enough to keep you going for a few hours without the hunger pangs. </div>
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The Chocolate Chip and Coconut Granola Bar had evenly proportioned chocolate chips and the coconut flavor. I was expecting to taste the oats more significantly with a little chip of chocolate here and there. Interestingly enough, the chocolate chips are not overdone, yet they make every bite flavorful with the not-too-sweet richness. It was a love at first taste. I could not help but compare it with one of my favorite chocolates - Bounty. While they are not too similar, but I would always strike that analogy as I could curb my chocolate cravings the healthier way and in a GOOD portion size. Otherwise, I would find it TOO HARD to limit the chocolate serving to an inch-square -_- This granola bar is somewhat crunchier than the other and you can replace your kids' candy intake with a healthier option. I would use this to top off my yogurt & fruits in breakfast or lunch. </div>
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If I were to compare the two, the Chocolate Chip and Coconut is my absolute favorite. However, my husband and few friends are more inclined towards the Peanut Butter and Raisin. Like I said, it boils down to your personal preference. A big thumbs up is for the affordable price of each bar with PKR 100. There definitely is room for more flavors and variants to be introduced for customers of different preferences. Moreover, I am hoping that the availability of Nutrilove extends beyond Karachi to Lahore & Islamabad. </div>
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All you folks in Karachi, you MUST give Nutrilov a shot! Strongly recommending it. Even if you're on diet, don't starve yourself and get the "good" calories from Nutrilov Granola Bar. I wish I had a stamp of approval to go with the Chocolate flavored one :-D Will most definitely be stocking up on that goodness since forever. I am currently in Lahore and seeing these pictures have made me miss it. </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nutrilovpk/" target="_blank">Nutrilov Granola Bars</a> can be ordered via the brand's page on Facebook. Stay tuned to regular updates and offers from the brand by following them on Instagram @nutrilovbars.<br />
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Let us hear your feedback in the comments below <3<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia<br />
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-88744890464431001122015-09-09T11:22:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:16.983+05:0011 Things You Did Not Know About Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Beauty Finds just got nominated by the lovely Gul of <a href="http://gulezehrasblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gul-e-Zehra's Blog</a> to complete a tag with 11 questions that will cover 11 facts you may not know about me. I share tidbits of my life on social media, but these questions will definitely offer more insight into the author of this blog... me in Just a click! ;)</div>
<a name='more'></a>Without further ado, here are Gul-e-Zehra's tag questions being answered one-by-one:<br />
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<b>1. Who/What is your biggest inspiration in life?</b></div>
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If I were to generalize, my family is my biggest inspiration as well as motivation. I learnt:</div>
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- Intellectual exploration and an achiever's attitude from my Dad</div>
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- Patience and dedication from my beloved Mom</div>
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- Unconditional love and lion-hearted bravery from my Brother</div>
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- Adaptability and composure from my Husband</div>
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<b>2. What inspired you to start blogging?</b></div>
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I have expressed my views on this previously as well, but to share it again: I had always been curious and creative. I recently discovered that makeup/beauty is a facet of creativity and I felt like I can write about my learning & experiences in a light-hearted manner. Voila! The Beauty Finds at your service!</div>
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<b>3. Your top 5 beauty picks?</b></div>
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You know what would have been easier? Asking my Mom which child of hers does she love more :P Anyhow, I would say sorry to my beloved makeup in advance - these picks are entirely based on products I am currently using more regularly than others, the may not necessarily be the Holy Grail products for me:</div>
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(1) MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo (affcorse!)</div>
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(2) Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown</div>
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(3) Benefit They're Real Mascara</div>
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(4) Inglot 77 Black Eyeliner</div>
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(5) NARS Blush in Orgasm</div>
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<b>4. If you could travel the whole world, what 3 destinations will you pick first and why?</b></div>
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World travel... *sigh*... I wish I could unleash my whole bucket list here. What I would pick FIRST:</div>
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(1) Jerusalem, Israel - The city has religious and historical significance for Islam, Christianity, Judaism. I am fascinated by the rich ancient architecture. Since there is limited information about it, I would like to explore the place for myself.</div>
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(2) Moscow, Russia - Another elusive city I am intrigued by and would like to see it in its full winter glory. Although the sub-zero temperatures will surely call for layered mink coat and an Ushanka - another thing I look forward to :P</div>
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(3) Alaska, USA - Talking of sub-zero temperatures, I'd love to witness the Aurora Borealis or 'Northern Lights' in winters. Ah, such a DREAM! Something I desperately wanted since my childhood. I read up about these in an encyclopedia - man! what an incredible phenomenon that is <3.</div>
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An alternate version of this list would include the Vatican City (the history and culture), New Zealand (adventure sports for the hubs - lol, never for me though), Cairo (the Pyramids), Morocco (rich ethnic culture), New York (shopping in the Big Apple), Switzerland (the beauty and chocolates), Seoul (contemporary architecture and Korean beauty products) <3 <3 <3 </div>
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5. What is your current obsession?</div>
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Exploring my creative traits. I'm in the process reverting to things which I either abandoned or paid no heed to since I was caught up in studies & job. Now, even with the hectic schedule, I am making time to see how far can I stretch the creativity in me. That includes... but is not limited to, writing a book, sketching portraits, fabric painting, furniture design, dress designing, canvas painting, etc. Some of these things I have been blessed enough to complete. Thankfully, I am motivated enough to follow through with the rest of the projects. Beauty blogging has sorta taken a backseat for now, I feel. It's that middle child with developing abandonment and anger issues :-P</div>
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<b>6. If you are given an opportunity to make your own makeup product with your favorite brand, what would it be and why?</b></div>
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If it were to be done internationally, I'd pick MAC for its variety and presence in all countries. Moreover, it is a seasoned brand known for its Limited Edition ranges. I'd launch a duo-chrome highlighter of a sort which can mimic natural contour-highlight in an all-in-one powder. More like creating an illusion of curves. If it is for Pakistan, I would prefer creating a brand of my own. I'd like to make a primer that would even out the bumps and scars on the skin. It would have to be high-end because R&D would be going into making a good product that our market lacks, but it will certainly give people confidence to wear makeup on an even texture of their skin that has been disturbed by the recurring or long-gone acne scars. </div>
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<b>7. What do you like the most about blogging?</b><br />
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Honestly, I love every stage very much. From the photography and editing, trying a product and taking notes, writing a blog post, reading comments to the feedback from readers... and eventually getting recognized by a small community of people who do grace my blog with their frequent readership :) It's all a blessing and I cherish every moment of it.<br />
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<b>8. Who are your top 3 bloggers and Youtubers and why?</b><br />
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It's a known fact that I absolutely love Christine from Temptalia. A beautiful & dedicated blogger who is not into fake-y wannabe stuff. She's highly educated and has come a long way from just practising makeup looks and posting them online to being a full-blown beauty index for the world. Temptalia is THE blog for me. After that first spot being affixed, I don't have any particular ones at second and third places. In general, I love reading up on European and Australian blogs more than the ones from States. Some of my favorites are Pixiwoo, So Lonely in Gorgeous, The Happy Sloths, The Sunday Girl, Dolce Vanity, Tattooed Tealady, Carli Bybel, Beauty Broadcast, Vampy Varnish, etc.<br />
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<b>9. Do you have a signature makeup look or fashion style? What is it?</b><br />
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Sure. It is the homeless druggie look :-P So much in vogue. When I am not channeling Phoebe on the streets, you would find me in shalwar-kamiz with flip-flops sporting clear flushed skin, minimal hooded eyes, strong brows and a bold lip.<br />
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<b>10. What is your biggest achievement in life?</b><br />
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They meaning of achievement changed at every stage of life. <i>Alhamdulilah </i>and <i>Masha'Allah</i>, God has been very kind in that regard. I have been supported & loved by the family to be an academic achiever from school through MBA. Medal-holder, youngest in my batch, first to bag an international job, etc. All because of my parents' hard work and dedication into making me who I am today. Being an adult, I now realize that an 'achievement' is not a one-time big thing, but a state of contentment with what you have. In that regard, bagging a supportive & loving husband and in-laws would be an achievement, Masha'Allah :-) Gets you through tough times... surrounded by the right people who appreciate when you take charge and are readily available to offer support when you fall down. That is, again, God's kindness to have blessed a not-too-nice a person as I am.<br />
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<b>11. What will be your advice & guiding points for young bloggers?</b><br />
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Knowledge is power. The more you read up on and experience different beauty products, YouTube videos, and blogs... the better you will be in your understanding of makeup & skincare. Not everybody is good at everything, but you should have the inclination to adapt and improve. Being original is what you should aim for, since plagiarism is a wave you can only surf only for a while. Commit to the readers and create what THEY want instead of the PR or generic overload. Networking among other bloggers always helps, but you don't have to fake-like anything because pretense will also exhaust in a short time. More so than anything, keep an OPEN and POSITIVE mind. I am the most judgmental and sarcastic person rigid in my ways. At least, I was. Blogging let me open my mind up and "accept" the differences. Just because you and I are a certain way, it does not give us the authority to impose our priorities and perception on somebody else. Courtesy counts ;-) !<br />
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That's all, folks! I really hope you enjoyed reading about random things in my life. Thanks to Gul-e-Zehra once again for the awesome tag <3 Do visit her blog and show some love!<br />
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It's time to tag some beauties for the "11 Things You Did Not Know About Me" to keep things going. I'd love to know you all a little better:<br />
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<b><i>Sadaf </i>and <i>Fizzah</i> of The Pout Painters</b><br />
<b><i>Saleha</i> of Saleha's Makeup Diary</b><br />
<b><i>Natasah</i> of Allure by N</b><br />
<b><i>Huda</i> of The Lipstickholic</b><br />
<b><i>Sorath</i> of Fashionista</b><br />
<b><i>Kiran</i> of Style n' Spice</b><br />
<b><i>Huda</i> of Sparkling Palette Blog</b><br />
<b><i>Madeeha</i> of Khaista Blogs</b><br />
<b><i>Aamal</i> of Make Over Craze</b><br />
<b><i>Atiya</i> of The Good Life</b><br />
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The tagged bloggers are requested to complete the tag by answering the following 11 questions and publishing on their blog with a link back to The Beauty Finds :)<br />
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1. If you have an option to wear a certain makeup product/brand PERMANENTLY on your face (without any side effects, of course), what would that be?<br />
2. Which local or international celebrity carries 'your' fashion & beauty style?<br />
3. Share one trait/habit/achievement of yours that you are immensely proud of?<br />
4. If you could get a chance to meet some historical or family figure in a dream, what would you say/do?<br />
5. If you could eliminate a certain beauty habit or trend from the world, what would that be?<br />
6. What beauty product never worked for you, yet everybody else raves about it?<br />
7. What is the cheapest holy grail product of yours?<br />
8. What beauty habit of your mother/grandmother have been passed on to you?<br />
9. What career or life aspirations from your childhood were so absurd that you laugh on them now?<br />
10. What the best/most favorite act of charity for you?<br />
11. What is the dark-side of beauty blogging?<br />
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I am excited to read your responses! Hopefully, you guys will publish real soon! Much love,<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-58903679520766727892015-09-02T14:34:00.001+05:002023-06-06T01:24:13.945+05:00August Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpM340pU6UcRXanGFxaGDramoF1jKo5VFQ2hkpZ5dPcQs97jUfkAvfMiu7HV4vV-pe0o6EZgOCgEjm4Iq52NI3N2U92-agnCO5GsNbMvWHc0Kbrr4DBhzet6_HaPtT74mbnjhoO_KGo4E/s1600/AugFave.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpM340pU6UcRXanGFxaGDramoF1jKo5VFQ2hkpZ5dPcQs97jUfkAvfMiu7HV4vV-pe0o6EZgOCgEjm4Iq52NI3N2U92-agnCO5GsNbMvWHc0Kbrr4DBhzet6_HaPtT74mbnjhoO_KGo4E/s640/AugFave.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can start this post off by a tonne of excuses as to why have I not been blogging that frequency, but I will not give you any bull. Just the fact that the work-life-blog balance is going a little haywire as yours truly have ventured into more hardcore cooking on the top of a 12-hour work day and little DIY projects here and there. Blogging has given me enough motivation to follow up with my creative instincts. I grabbed a cone of Henna after a decade or so to make an intricate design on my palms. I just recently completed a hand-painted shirt for Independence Day (yay! Happy Birthday, Pakistan!) and now, I'm onto amateur portrait sketching and canvas painting (soon, Insha'Allah). You don't even need paid classroom learning, if you can't manage / afford one. The online blogs, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest tutorials are enough to nudge you in the right direction. It's empowering, Alhamdulilah and I would genuinely urge you all to explore your talents - learn whatever you wish to, practice, practice, practice... and if you can, monetize on it! If anything, this has helped me spend less on makeup :-P</div>
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.....and made me splurge outrageously on other things ;-)</div>
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In my struggle to keep at least ONE thing constant on my blog - here are the monthly favorites that I have enjoyed in the month of August and would love to share with my readers:</div>
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<b>Jordana Complete Cover 2-in-1 Concealer Foundation</b> - I'm not going to lie. The name of this did make me wary for I have had not-too-great of an experience with most "2-in-1" liquid foundations. They are either too sheer and slippery to work as a concealer or overly goopy-heavy enough to clog my sensitive pores. Its packaging reminded me of Pond's BB Cream. However, that's where the comparison stops. Thankfully, it has more moisture and less crumbly texture than Pond's BB. The shade I cannot recall right now, but it appears just like a fresh version of my NC20-30 skin. The coverage is sheer-medium, so it will not be the replacement of your concealer if your undereye circles are prominent like mine. However, I use peach corrector under my eyes before this and it neutralizes the 'orange' in it beautifully! My face has pink undertones while the neck is quite obviously yellow, This makes an even tone and stays put all day. The finish is semi-matte and haven't transferred either - primarily because I have stayed indoors in air-conditioning while wearing this. Will offer detailed insight into after more usage :) Jordana has recently launched in Pakistan and you can have it through <a href="http://just4girls.pk/">Just4Girls.PK</a>!<br />
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<b>Lee Strafford Poker Straight Hair Mask for Flat Iron Addicts</b> - This I spotted at Green Valley, Lahore during a grocery trip and the phrase 'flat iron addict' was convincing enough for me to give it a try. My hair have turned dry & brittle due to several internal imbalances and external choices :P They need regular TLC at home since I barely ever get time for a satisfactory salon experience. Hence, I gave this mask a chance to wow me a few times and I have not been disappointed. After shampooing, I put a dollop of the mask in my hair and let it be for 5 minutes. After washing, the hair literally slip between my fingers. The same hair that get tangled 5 seconds into brushing. It is still undergoing the trial phase, but I appreciate the soft, glossy effect it has on my hair. P.S. I use it twice in a week.<br />
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<b>Makeup Revolution Awesome Double Flick Liner</b> - It's your good ol' marker liner with twice the fun - A thicker felt tip and a thin precise one - all packaged together. I have had a similar one from Essence that lacked pigmentation and would run out even on the first glimpse of moisture. These, however, were a different story. The swatches on the arm were not quite impressive as I thought they would need layering for an intense black payoff. Once applied, not only were both felt tips easier to handle, but stayed put comfortably all day long without smudging. For a couple of times, I rubbed my eyes by mistake yet these were not disturbed. They're not waterproof per se, but somewhat resistant. Oh, and the best feature, it did NOT need layering even when it was not the blackest (when compared to gel eyeliners). I usually have to apply makeup in a rush, so I can rely on this one being in my bag without being heavy or melt-y (looking at YOU, DMGM black eyeliner pencil -_-). This is available via Reforma.PK, Daraz.PK, and Just4Girls.PK<br />
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<b>NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in ANTWERP</b> - While the world was obsessing over NYX SMLC, I was sitting, scrolling... judging... :-D Liquid lipsticks and I did not get off to a good start, so naturally I was wary of every liquid-lipstick-esque products. Then, I was interested in Coppenhagen, but the swatches I saw online were quite deceiving and I almost have every color in my lipstick collection. Just when ULTA had its 40% off sale at NYX, I requested Ayesha Ismail to grab a couple for me. Antwerp was a gamble and MAN, it paid off big time. Comfortable to wear (comparatively) and super gorgeous pick-me-up pink color that stays put for quite some time without overdrying my lips. You must give at least one of these shades a shot! I will reveal more in the comparison post between liquid lipsticks :)<br />
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<b>Simple Facial Cleansing Wipes</b> - Believe me, it is hard to sometimes gather up all the remaining strength and haul your *** to the wash-basin to get rid of the makeup you've been wearing. In other times, you're sans makeup and want to freshen up by just 'washing' your face - but the water is either not available or too much of an effort. Whether it's the circumstances or the laziness, everybody deserves to have their faces clean. BAM! Simple Wipes :D Unlike other I have tried, this did not give my face angry red patches over the face. It retained its awesome moisture for me to get ALL the makeup (including waterproof mascara) from my face, cleaned the remnants of sand, and then some from the body. I have gone through the whole pack in less than 15 days due to its convenience. I will be more careful with my second pack - which y'all can grab from Green Valley, Lahore :)<br />
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That's all, folks! That time of the year is approaching where the ladies (and gents, may be) gear up for the madness that is Black Friday. It is a couple of months away, but we need to prep, no? ;-)<br />
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Share your favorites for this month and recommend what should be the next item on my trial list?<br />
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Lots of love for you all <3<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia<br />
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-78519641521803768222015-08-18T00:31:00.002+05:002023-06-06T01:24:16.021+05:00July Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A big hello to all the lovely ladies - (and perhaps a gentleman) - and thank you for bearing with me through the delayed posts. I still commend myself for being able to post FAVORITES each month since January 2015 <3 There are MANY blog posts pending in different stages of photography, swatching, using, and writing! Some are in the "hoarding" phase as well - since I LOVE the comparison posts :) Highlighters, concealers, foundations, blushes... and so much more :-) Hopefully, will be able to launch them soon. I have been dedicating most of my time to not just finish up the blogs, but also a little DIY or home decor project here and there :) Wish me luck!</div>
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So, without further ado, here are my favorites for the month of July:<br />
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<b>Urban Decay Afterglow 8HR Blush in BITTERSWEET</b> - When the desi in me sees an outrageously purple "high-end" blush, it rejects the bare thought of owning it. Why? Because that's too out there. Too bold. Too... impractical. Guess what? I went against my comfort zone and my instincts with this one. Why? The offer by Chic Bazaar was too cool to let go of! A day before Eid, I laid my hands on this one and it was exclusively THE ONLY BLUSH I carried off to Lahore & Islamabad. The blendability, lasting power, and the shade itself were a treat! This cool-toned purple would ordinarily go against my warm-toned skin, but it applies nicely to give off a subtle cool-toned pink look that is very flattering. I grabbed another one from the newly launched collection and shall share my experiences with that in a separate post :)</div>
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<b>Lolane Keratin Repair Mask </b>- I am a flat-iron addict and even after getting Extenso done, I am just unable to accept the CURLY reality of my hair. Now that they have grown almost 4 inches from the scalp, I am resorting to better hair care before getting some treatment done. The blow-drying and flat-iron-straightening causes the natural helical structure to get damaged. Split ends and rough texture are other unwelcomed guests. Lolane Keratin Mask has been my favorite past year since this is the least amount of effort that makes my hair soft and smooth. This time, I am trying the mask specifically for hair damaged by straightening. The results are amazing! They have upgraded the packaging and the product is runny, so take care as you might spill it from the jar - they should have a bottle packaging instead! It is available at Vicky's Khadda Market last time I checked, so for less than 700 bucks, this one can be applied after your regular shampoo for those luscious revived locks. Of course, you need the regular oiling and TLC for the hair to regain their olden beauty/texture... but this is a step in the right direction.</div>
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<b>Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in 36 CORAIL LEGENDE</b> - This YSL of mine never got the much-deserved lovin' from me since it is a tad too coral for my liking. The thing with corals on my face is - if they're too light, I need a full face of makeup, which I am not too fond of doing ever so often. This coral in particular stayed in the back of my stash for so long that the packaging got scratches and discoloration perhaps due to my neglect and usual moisture ;'( It was a bad sight and I vowed to use it very often. Now, I am so hooked onto this that it might as well be my signature color. How? I just figured that this flatters me the most with a combination of a rosy-pink lip liner. I make sure to only apply a light swipe of this on my lips as too much of an opaque pale coral might not flatter me. Also, always cover/camouflage the discoloration around your lips - you will not need a full face of makeup that way and the lipstick will photograph nicely :-) This YSL does dent your budget, but I am on the lookout for a closer/cheaper dupe even if it is in MAC :-) Till now, the focus is on finishing it up <3<br />
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<b>Colourpop Lippie Pencil in BRINK</b> - This is the awesome rosy-nude lip pencil that I am absolutely loving this month. It is creamy, yet doesn't melt and lasts pretty well :) It does not only make my YSL work well, but other lipsticks and liquid lip products in MLBB shades are also a treat when paired with this beauty. For only $5, it is the best bang for your buck :) I have tried Rimmel and Maybelline lip pencils, but they were nothing exceptional. I have yet to try NYX, so till then, this remains my Holy Grail lip pencil <3<br />
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<b>Makeup Forever High Definition HD Foundation in N118</b> - It was one of the longstanding items in my wishlist that I tentatively crossed off. Being NC20-30, I was supposed to get the N120 shade. However, AlFatah had only N118 in stock closer to my skin color and I took a blind gamble on this. Initial swatching had me guessing whether or not I should keep it. It went into my blog sale, but once/twice I used it and realized... OMG ... IT IS A KEEPER! My AHA! moment with MUFE HD was when I applied it as a test in the day and its texture became that of a second skin. It was translucent, yet flattering. As the day went by, it kept my face remarkably 'HD' by blurring the imperfections. The consistency is thinner than regular liquid foundations I have, but not too watery either. It gives me enough control to apply it on the go with my fingers. It will not cover your blemishes completely, but for a medium-sheer coverage, this is a must-must-must have! I shall be using this shade and get a tone darker than this the next time <3<br />
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That's all, folks! Stay updated with my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/thebeautyfinds" target="_blank">Facebook </a>& <a href="http://instagram.com/thebeautyfinds" target="_blank">Instagram</a> for exciting giveaways and updated blog sales <3 You guys are the greatest motivation in keeping me on my track :) Lots and lots of posts are coming your way, Insha'Allah!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia </div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-21444040844391908772015-08-06T18:04:00.001+05:002023-06-06T01:24:10.625+05:00June Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I know I am lagging behind - wayyy wayyyyyyyy behind, but - to be fair - I did share my June Favorites over the Facebook page for you all! I hope every reader is following me there because the page is pretty active and has one thing or another going on <3<br />
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Belated Eid Mubarak to y'all, and with that, let me re-share the June Favorites with some insight on why they're featured here:</div>
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<b>Boots Botanics Mascara - BROWN</b> - For a sparse eyelash person like me who neither has length nor sports enough volume on her natural lashes, brown mascara was a buzzkill. However, I was determined to put this one to good use and... guess what! It doubles very nicely as a part of my brow grooming routine. When I am in a hurry and do not want to meticulously draw & fill the brows... This becomes a life saver in making them look voluminous and frame my face well. It stays put for most part of the sweaty heat we have had here, but be careful not to rub and smudge it too hard. Love this for keeping my brow game strong :)</div>
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<b>Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder</b> - I never had good experience with "loose" anything - no makeup product has ever gotten in my control if it is in a jar and a has a loose form. Be it eye glitter, bronzer, foundation, or blush. That was my first turnoff due to most mineral makeup lines. I did not immediately take a liking to this one either. However, this has travelled with me and stayed nice and close in keeping my slick-shine at bay. The powder is luxurious and finely milled. It doesn't get cakey at all! This was one of my first Laura Mercier products and I have adored how "high-end" this feels like <3 More on this in a review post coming soon!</div>
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<b>Masarrat Misbah Liquid Lipstick - MAGENTO</b> - This is what a love-hate relationship looks like. Difficult, complicated... yet beautiful & unwavering :-D I have come to accept liquid lipsticks for what they are on me... overly drying & matte. By those standards, Magento was a wonderful experience (if and only if you apply a thin even layer over your lips). The color is so very gorgeous that you HAVE to swatch it one time AT LEAST! The staying power is beyond amazing as well. The only little complaint remains that my lips are not very forgiving when it comes to fine lines. I can apply lip primer and balms, still.. it is hard to fight the natural you. The fine lines come raging back. Regardless of that, I love the velour-like finish this has. Very velvety and even. Less is more with it! Oh and I must say it again... AMAZING Color! Nothing what appears online :)<br />
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<b>MAC Cremsheen Lipstick - CROSSWIRES - </b>The one which I wore / reapplied on my Baraat ,3 Such a connection Crosswires and I had <3 I rediscovered its lovely coral-yet-mute effect this Summers and have been reaching for it ever so often during June. The lasting power of cremsheen finish is not at par with the matte or amplified ones, but still lasts a good few hours on me. You may check out its dupes in my stash on the post MAC Dupes on the blog :-)<br />
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<b>Real Techniques Complexion Sponge</b> - When my Beauty Blender and I parted our ways, there was a sponge-sized hole in my heart that needed to be filled. I toyed with the idea of getting more Beauty Blenders, but decided against it at that moment... (UPDATE - I got 'em on sale :b ) .... Meanwhile, RT Sponge has been a great substitute. To me, it performed better dry than wet and helped buff in my occasional foundation. The BEST usage for this was for applying powder products - which I never realized with the Beauty Blender. Even if I switch completely to the BB for foundation/concealer, this shall forever be in my stash for the powder application <3 Should I do a comparison post? Let me know!<br />
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Phew! Here you go with my little elaborate thoughts on the products I shared previously on my Facebook. If you are not following my Facebook and Instagram, please do! There is a tonne of fun stuff that happens there.<br />
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Currently, we have a Giveaway going on sponsored by Maquillage! Looking forward to your participation <3<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-32322675719883850422015-07-03T01:24:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:11.374+05:00CAPRI Aloe Nurture Extract Soap <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I think of my childhood, I remember the little cardboard packaging of Capri coming in our house in the grocery bags that Dad, <i>Chachu</i> or <i>Bhai </i>would bring in. I would shuffle through them to find if there is one in the pink packaging to reserve exclusively for myself. Just looking at Capri triggers that nostalgia <3</div>
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Owned by ZIL Limited, Capri as a brand has come a long way. Now, there is a fierce competition given by all the face washes, scrubs, liquid/bar soaps and even organic substitutes. Recently, Capri revamped the formula as a 'Moisturizing' soap with natural extracts of Aloe Vera, Honey and Milk proteins to promote the freshness & confidence in being a "Natural Beauty".</div>
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I was lucky enough to receive a thoughtful little basket packed with the upgraded Capri Aloe Nurther Extract Soaps among other goodies. The aroma and presentation were a treat. As for the product , you all should know this - it has been over a decade since I transitioned completely to face and body wash liquids & exfoliators. How did the detour to a local bar soap go for me? Find out, next:</div>
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Capri Moisturizing Soap enriched with Aloe Vera Extracts, Honey, and Milk claims to derive its major ingredients from natural source(s). I personally admire a local brand taking a shift from blatant '<i>gorapan</i>' claims. It's a fact that you can only 'take care' of your skin - through skin care products AS WELL AS your diet. Promoting an XYZ product to lighten your skin tone 'magically' in a 10-sec ad does not only ruin the self esteem of those who have duskier complexion, but also sets a distorted perception of 'beauty' in our society. That's like playing with the insecurities of the naive audience. I commend how Capri promoted <i>Natural Beauty - Being Confident In Your Own Skin</i>, rather than herd-following that particular 'girl-next-door' who used a certain soap for 2-4 weeks and came out 10 shades lighter. Honey, you were a fair girl to begin with, wearing a thick layer of makeup, shooting under a galaxy of flattering lights - bottomline, you played your role in adding some fuel to somebody's insecurities about their skin color. -_- To be honest, that's not just our local advertising, but marketing in general across the globe.<br />
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Taking a U-Turn back to our topic at hand - Capri Moisturizing Soap promises to deliver gentle cleansing with the calming properties of Aloe Extract along with the Honey and Milk Proteins. Capri soap bar retails for PKR 42/- at convenience stores and supermarkets across Pakistan.<br />
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The first thing I noticed was the change from cardboard packaging - that I remembered - to a standard plastic wrapping over a soap bar. I find it hard to categorize the fragrance of the Capri Aloe Nurture Extract Soap except that it is your typical synthetic soap smell. Not overpoweringly sweet, but... soapy. The ivory soap bar has an engraving of CAPRI on it and a simple design.</div>
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Over the period of two weeks, my husband and I have used Capri for our regular bathroom soap - as a face & body wash. I have tried it along with my Olay Pro-X. Some key features which I (surprisingly) experienced:</div>
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- The bar did not melt or go too soft to create a mess. Our soap dish does pool in water, but its placement causes water from the shower to sprinkle almost continuously for the duration that it is on. After crossing the two-week mark, it still looks like something that would last another two-three weeks. For reference, it has been used during shower only - like 15-20 times.</div>
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- It lathers well. My husband might disagree to it because he applies the soap directly to his skin and thinks that it does not lather as well as he would have liked. I, on the other hand, find it to work just fine for the face and body wash.</div>
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- It does not dry out the skin as I have experienced with other soap bars within the same budget. The harsh chemicals leave my facial skin dry and patchy after a single usage. Not to mention the frequent red allergic response with those. I do apply moisturizer after 10-15 minutes and for that period, it is comfortably matte.</div>
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- It brightens my complexion noticeably. I thought it was a fluke or my eyes playing some trick for the first couple of times. However, the effect is real - albeit, not long lasting. My skin feels like it has been cleansed deep down. There is no post-facial/exfoliation "glow" and the freshness stays noticeable for half and hour or so... but the legend is true :-)</div>
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With my Olay Pro-X Cleansing Brush, it worked fine to make my skin look fresh. I have not experienced any allergy or breakouts to the formulation. It does not dry out my skin, but if I skip moisturizer altogether, the skin does become oily after an hour or so. Oilier than what I get with the routine face wash of mine. As a body wash, however, I do not experience any such issue. My skin stays smooth. As I mentioned previously, the brightening effect is short-lived. I wash my face once a day or may be twice when I am wearing the makeup. The results of face washing are pronounced for a while. After that, my skin goes back to normal.</div>
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To test it out, I applies Capri on half my face and Noxema face wash on the other half. My skin became smoother, matte-r and brighter with Capri. However, after an hour (without moisturizer), the skin texture returned to normal oily self on Capri's side while Noxema held up its smooth & soft results for a longer time.</div>
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Conclusively, it is not a miracle product, still I was pleasantly surprised by what Capri Aloe Nurture Extract Soap had to offer. For its price, it performs moderately well by not causing the itchiness and dryness that many soap formulations do - I guess we have to thank the soothing properties of aloe, honey and milk for that. All those who regard affordability factor as the most important and wish to opt for one-soap-for-all, be sure to grab some in your next grocery visit and try this one out. It is not a replacement for my face wash products, but a good-buy for the amount you pay:<br />
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Capri Aloe Nurture Extract Soap can be purchased for PKR 42/- in Pakistan at the convenience stores near you as well as at the supermarkets & hypermarts that you visit for grocery shopping. For more information on offerings and updates of Capri, stay tuned to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/capripakistan" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</div>
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Have you tried Capri Aloe Nurture Extract Soap yet? Let's hear it in the comments below! Your feedback brightens my day <3</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Disclaimer: This post may contain PR Samples shared for review. The opinions expressed are, however, unbiased and honest as per my personal experience.</i></span></div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-44283982269206702162015-06-23T13:14:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:12.924+05:00NYX Butter Lipstick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My obsession for lip products is a well-documented fact that I repeat on my blog and social media pages consistently! You will find me impersonating the spirit of drab and lazy attire with unkempt hair... rocking a killer color on the lips with on-point brows :-D The brows and lips will be in the couture capital of Milan while everything else will be emerging from the metropolitan slums. Just to give a stark contrast :-)<br />
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I had been obsessing over NYX Butter Lipstick since its launch. One thing or another delayed the purchase and I turned indifferent... till I found them perched on the NYX makeup counter I surprisingly came across in Centerpoint, The Mall of Emirates, Dubai. It felt like Alice wandering into a Wonderland. NYX - on SALE <3 <3 I vanished from my husband's side like a bolt. Otherwise, I am as fast as a turtle stampeding through a buttered glass (as someone put it in a comic). The first day I got two shades, but they were not enough. I returned the next day to bag two more. Did my passion for NYX Butter Lipsticks pay off? Read up, loves:<br />
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NYX Butter Lipstick ($6) claims to deliver high impact full coverage pigmented color that is lightweight and non-sticky. The creamy lipstick promises hydration with color payoff in a total of 22 shades. I spotted several shades stocked at <a href="http://just4girls.pk/">Just4Girls.PK</a> too! When I was visiting UAE last summers, the NYX counter in Centerpoint, Mall of Emirates carried only 6-7 shades from the range. I picked 4 - one from each color family. Purple/Plum, Pink, Coral, Red<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVauej6Hivpfcu6baRDkjFc_80iqfcqBlGN6brV4URDk7WwWHRrkIeFo77MzH_QD8HiHVfi7LHZLJVOL2yy4ZadmUw0Ovr0uK0dE_wuEWwEuaEB9qbQx4AcPRARQEMvU6t6QJdffEfG0/s1600/DSCN1733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVauej6Hivpfcu6baRDkjFc_80iqfcqBlGN6brV4URDk7WwWHRrkIeFo77MzH_QD8HiHVfi7LHZLJVOL2yy4ZadmUw0Ovr0uK0dE_wuEWwEuaEB9qbQx4AcPRARQEMvU6t6QJdffEfG0/s1600/DSCN1733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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HUNK - A cool-toned purple-magenta. I have tried this shade in different lights (and on different people), its color ranges from anything purple to pink. Unique and interesting choice for all seasons & occasions.</div>
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LITTLE SUSIE - A neutral pale pink color. It's refreshing and age-appropriate for young teens as well as casual day out for all those who wish to sport a barbie-pink flattering desi skin tones.</div>
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FIREBALL - A sheer coral pink with buildable coverage. Again, it leans more orange in some lights and coral-pink in other. I have similar shades in my collection, but this is certainly a treat to wear.</div>
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BIG CHERRY - A cherry-red with strong pink undertones. Very flattering on both fair & dusky skin tones. </div>
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Let's see how each of these performed on me as per the claims:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybi1hRqFyFpCsl6KQfPYfK_JpDRozhMEHAoP3aoKCpSaJVu_UJ86AGtTC3pvSu5Nckb5VPba3QOsj3sJeYb0jNodXX3jnNSHHni9VnPigJOoEpsP3bAZhV7cDqqgQqi_JG4AWB89hOFY/s1600/DSCN1738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybi1hRqFyFpCsl6KQfPYfK_JpDRozhMEHAoP3aoKCpSaJVu_UJ86AGtTC3pvSu5Nckb5VPba3QOsj3sJeYb0jNodXX3jnNSHHni9VnPigJOoEpsP3bAZhV7cDqqgQqi_JG4AWB89hOFY/s640/DSCN1738.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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It is an unusual color - very interesting, if you like to experiment with bold lips while roaming around the safe territory - this is your best bet! My husband always frowns on anything berry - he's always say, why "PURPLE"? -_- It's a lost cause discussing color spectrum with him, but I do like my berry colors. And I don't have as many as he claims that I have :P It is like having that alter-ego which you can flaunt (as and when needed). I gravitated towards this as soon as I swatched it in-store. On my pigmented lips, one swipe gives a semi-opaque coverage. The sheer coverage can be built up. For this particular shade, I feel that its pigmentation does not appear 100% even beyond - say - 7/8 swipes. I felt that it was sheerer than the rest. It is emollient, but not the soft-creamy type. That is a plus point because I wore this outdoors and kept it in my bag during the scorching summers and it did not melt. I still recommend caution because too many of my lipsticks have suffered bullet damage as they've kept in the makeup bag for an extended period of time. Even though it did not dry out my lips, I did not find it hydrating specifically. Just a comfortable formula to wear. Transferability, yes. That is pretty obvious with a finish like this. It did not dry out my lips and stayed on for an impressive duration of 4 hours without meals. Beyond that, it left behind a beautiful magenta stain that stays put for another 3-4 hours. It fades evenly, so at the end of a 10-hour period of wearing it, I still find a slight tint or an ombre outline around my lips (unless I wipe my lips with a tissue).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Susie</td></tr>
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Little Susie is a cliche shade for me. From Guerlain to Revlon, I just find the soft neutral bubbly pinks to be a must-have. It's the lipstick that I put on just while dashing out of the house for some grocery. Nothing too high maintenance, yet very girly. I find it to be quite similar to Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart. The difference is - NYX Butter Lipstick is less creamy/melt-y, with coverage that can be built up to being semi-opaque with a sheer first swipe. Personally, I like this to be on the sheerer side for casual usage. However, I tested it out by wearing it with a grey-silver smoky eyes on a formal occasion. It is best that you try that with some liner. It does not bleed on my lips, but the wear-time was shorter. Nearly 3-4 hours with no tint/stain left behind. The texture and hydration was the same - not moisturizing or overly creamy - just the right consistency.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMib8iZKAvtZV-3EMKtPY5j-fR6VZx2q2Usuac3ENcdupTdQtFGdI_kwUG3FBoA-N9wZ-snkTMRMUTesDRz1GhrIyi4rC9Rv3X8kSyG8DOyfademeJsD2Y4ym7EG1PGPOBkP0vVW8HH4/s1600/DSCN1742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMib8iZKAvtZV-3EMKtPY5j-fR6VZx2q2Usuac3ENcdupTdQtFGdI_kwUG3FBoA-N9wZ-snkTMRMUTesDRz1GhrIyi4rC9Rv3X8kSyG8DOyfademeJsD2Y4ym7EG1PGPOBkP0vVW8HH4/s640/DSCN1742.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireball</td></tr>
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I am wary of Corals, in general. They do not flatter my pigmented lips and require me to prep my face up with some foundation before I can sport them. Fireball was an interesting pick for me. I did not grab it immediately, but swatched on my arm among other lip products. Then, I roamed around the mall and returned to Centerpoint at the end of the day to grab a t-shirt my husband had liked before. A quick round to the cosmetics section, and I saw that the previous swatch of the lipstick left a neat tint. Beautifully orange coral. I got this one on a whim and have not regretted one bit. Just like Little Susie, I have different shades in my stash matching to this one, but it is the easiest to work with on-the-go. I make the best usage out of it in Summers since almost all clothes in my wardrobe complement this shade :-D It wears for around 4 hours with a nice tint leftover that lasts another hour or two. If you're vigorously chewing on your lips, it might not last as long. The formulation for this was less buttery in comparison to others of the same range - nothing that would be of concern though. It's pink-coral, so you might get one between Little Susie and Fireball, if you do not wish to get similar shades. I am not color-blind, these ARE different... but close enough like... umm... first cousins perhaps?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWGPuVT6pXqR9p3lcnSQvW7jNkzOg-LF8xd_RZh5-sREj5cH8vn0nBlEIBunAf0Y3qf8KLrdBYyztcoZ8BvrXGGBkpvrfzAltx56CWJA1X187bUYM2spy4CkHvIlwFXVP1oac5exH5qI/s1600/DSCN1743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWGPuVT6pXqR9p3lcnSQvW7jNkzOg-LF8xd_RZh5-sREj5cH8vn0nBlEIBunAf0Y3qf8KLrdBYyztcoZ8BvrXGGBkpvrfzAltx56CWJA1X187bUYM2spy4CkHvIlwFXVP1oac5exH5qI/s640/DSCN1743.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Cherry</td></tr>
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Due to strong pink undertones, Big Cherry ranges from deep pink to red under different lights. I am fond of reds, but my inclination is towards opaque reds. For some reason reds and sheer coverage do not work out well for me. Nevertheless, this was one of the most pigmented shades from the first swipe and can be built up to an almost-opaque coverage through multiple swipes. I do not get enough opportunity to wear it frequently. Still, it is the best pick for those who want to venture into young-reds without going overboard. If you line your lips lightly with a pink-red liner, this one gives you a luscious red pout. For natural look, I wear a couple of swipes of this and blot. The result is almost the same tint as Benefit's cult favorite BENETINT - with the added advantage of no-dryness. Tints tend to dry my lips out at the end of the wear-time. So... the full throttle lasting power of this is good 3-4 hours. It fades faster than other shades, although it is not creamier than the rest. The tint lasts for another 2 or so hours. It's a gorgeous color and a must-have for sure.</div>
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Let's feast our eyes with the buttery goodness of NYX Butter Lipstick swatches under different lights. Since I took the pictures at an almost-day-end, the quality of photography is perhaps not as good as I would have wanted it to be:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNchGh4LujVNwJ8DM_hCildq1GpES3Kzm-mtbYD0nOPvAS_Hi6mALMwvMRGKziAYGqlC11HNgoyZQpFjrWqOkxQugwGD8_NdWwHbDSMUAOUQffxAAKWQZK6HTrRKYwXGVzynTVY1ihwY/s1600/DSCN1745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNchGh4LujVNwJ8DM_hCildq1GpES3Kzm-mtbYD0nOPvAS_Hi6mALMwvMRGKziAYGqlC11HNgoyZQpFjrWqOkxQugwGD8_NdWwHbDSMUAOUQffxAAKWQZK6HTrRKYwXGVzynTVY1ihwY/s640/DSCN1745.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single Swipe - Natural Light/No Flash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBj6-azRbkMsZavumvgp-t7bOumL6h-bJ5CBHGo3UZ5F6Ag3Jppth-L9lcf7k6uVVVeVHoQT48oOMYyxQ9qWw4vviC-mV1F5jpS_KynuuJj1xR1A50b0eyiukQQHesc-XTcWYxeg3DSY/s1600/DSCN1750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBj6-azRbkMsZavumvgp-t7bOumL6h-bJ5CBHGo3UZ5F6Ag3Jppth-L9lcf7k6uVVVeVHoQT48oOMYyxQ9qWw4vviC-mV1F5jpS_KynuuJj1xR1A50b0eyiukQQHesc-XTcWYxeg3DSY/s640/DSCN1750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multiple Swipes - Natural Light/No Flash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTJJ-Q_R42VzFUF-iHzbk7zLFz2d4oRtOx2r7Yi5_DVOb8sMz45Qj-4KbgcyzKem6Q69YhygZ6PQhwBJmX8dKlUm_32Z1u0g8zpIhftshqUM8ZrfFi7xtGVrU2mynZ84VFxnwkGgew_4/s1600/DSCN1751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTJJ-Q_R42VzFUF-iHzbk7zLFz2d4oRtOx2r7Yi5_DVOb8sMz45Qj-4KbgcyzKem6Q69YhygZ6PQhwBJmX8dKlUm_32Z1u0g8zpIhftshqUM8ZrfFi7xtGVrU2mynZ84VFxnwkGgew_4/s640/DSCN1751.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multiple Swipes - Natural Light/With Flash</td></tr>
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I thoroughly enjoy the comfortable and decent wear-time of the NYX Butter Lipsticks. They are not a replacement for a lip balm, but something you can sport without one and not face flaky dry lips at the end of the day. They are a decent balance for those who wish to venture into bolder shades without in-your-face kind of a formulation. It is pretty easy to work with and best-suited for casual wear. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWxogfKoGWP8C8ctjjPz6Ohu1Y_Q44sAlVZFTuGGBtzW80VESO4mBEIUmVM75GjDeSlDJ8BUafEDrmnZuNKEsWl1vGSbjfdIKOfDbjmo-cTcGo3NS4RKZGYVvQ4DYyEQDlku60h8lTeg/s1600/A.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWxogfKoGWP8C8ctjjPz6Ohu1Y_Q44sAlVZFTuGGBtzW80VESO4mBEIUmVM75GjDeSlDJ8BUafEDrmnZuNKEsWl1vGSbjfdIKOfDbjmo-cTcGo3NS4RKZGYVvQ4DYyEQDlku60h8lTeg/s640/A.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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NYX Butter Lipsticks are available through drugstores like Ulta, QVC, Drugstore.com, Walgreens, Walmart, etc. Folks in Pakistan can pre-order via Facebook pages or grab these shades & more from <a href="http://just4girls.pk/">Just4Girls.PK</a> for PKR 1,150/- each.</div>
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If you have tried NYX Butter Lipsticks or wish to pick a few shades out of these - I'd love to hear it from you in the comments <3</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-78319684847793332162015-06-18T14:54:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:15.521+05:005 Makeup Fixing Sprays - Review & Comparison<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wTL1JvEjUe8n31CxdFVK8QYjzhazse47m-BcziT0m_KPex51fPulxJ_mGsL86DKEWJ6Yfo4zrQTFDnA2xRf-d37DyubSRRCy9hBOs9REY4G4MGXz0ptBOyEKo_Ojctjuq7Fp7zitnvk/s1600/DSCN3287.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wTL1JvEjUe8n31CxdFVK8QYjzhazse47m-BcziT0m_KPex51fPulxJ_mGsL86DKEWJ6Yfo4zrQTFDnA2xRf-d37DyubSRRCy9hBOs9REY4G4MGXz0ptBOyEKo_Ojctjuq7Fp7zitnvk/s640/DSCN3287.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Have you been catching up with the makeup setting sprays? They have become a major RAGE nowadays. Alternative methods of makeup setting have been around for a while. I remember some family brides in the mid-90s getting HAIR SPRAY-ed on their faces to make the makeup last through their bridal <strike>turmoil</strike> experience.<br />
Ugh. *shudders*<br />
They're literal "fumes" that make you gag. That's what I feel, always... even without any allergies to fragrance/mists, the hair sprays are a nightmare for me. Most of them are. Getting sprayed squarely a whole lot on your face must have been nothing less than a torture. I do understand that the makeup pro's must have been trying to stick everything together for the bride since there used to be tonnes of makeup layers on them... that 'invasive' lighting that they had to be under for hours at a stretch.<br />
Having makeup fixing sprays penetrating the Pakistani market is nothing short of a blessing. In every summer blog post you'll read here, it will mention at least once that my skin responds to the heat by making insane amounts of sweatbuds :-D I don't know if it is my "cool" factor or my "hotness", but I need to make my makeup weather-proof. Yes, just like those plastic paint ads you see during commercial breaks. I got my first makeup setting spray - Urban Decay All-Nighter - as a part of my wedding makeup haul. Since then, I have tried different sprays that are reviewed & comparison for you <3<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoJYf5uENZh7R49hQrDCGfEMRQrjMAl5iuhizuOt2nxkJT0Jv4FMy9eij6HH_UboSaoovvx6r1vG9xk-xHmqEJMSTdBFPohDCaMfrCSVB2nwS-WZVkviT13bdvbluROpcuH3C6IApZtg/s1600/DSCN3293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoJYf5uENZh7R49hQrDCGfEMRQrjMAl5iuhizuOt2nxkJT0Jv4FMy9eij6HH_UboSaoovvx6r1vG9xk-xHmqEJMSTdBFPohDCaMfrCSVB2nwS-WZVkviT13bdvbluROpcuH3C6IApZtg/s640/DSCN3293.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have an assortment of sprays for comparison:<br />
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Makeup Revolution Pro-Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray<br />
Stageline Makeup Fixer<br />
Makeup Revolution Pro-Fix Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray<br />
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray<br />
Red & Black Mineral Makeup Fix</div>
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Let me succintly describe my experience using each of these for y'all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4GPYmwP4Rcfgiu1xMNwLRTvfbkZZDJInctz5E-hUD3ntm46Tq6EbstV3P5KTQ5OsV3xBuc2VDONjZ4HDFvdoJJueePzhkFOz428371_2xraL7Jsoeyj_BiEQ8TnRIPeJhEf3NH9D3Mg/s1600/DSCN3298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4GPYmwP4Rcfgiu1xMNwLRTvfbkZZDJInctz5E-hUD3ntm46Tq6EbstV3P5KTQ5OsV3xBuc2VDONjZ4HDFvdoJJueePzhkFOz428371_2xraL7Jsoeyj_BiEQ8TnRIPeJhEf3NH9D3Mg/s640/DSCN3298.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray</b> retails in Pakistan at <a href="http://reforma.pk/">Reforma.PK</a> and <a href="http://daraz.pk/">Daraz.PK</a> for PKR 850. Internationally, it retails at GBP 8.00 on <a href="http://www.makeuprevolutionstore.com/index.php/pro-fix-makeup-fixing-spray-100ml.html" target="_blank">Makeup Revolution Store</a>, so thankfully, we are not charged a huge premium for this! The spray is claimed to have professional quality makeup-fixing capabilities that can be used by salon professionals & regular joes like you & I. It's claimed to be top-notch in keeping your makeup intact up to 8 hours... even in extreme weather conditions like wind, cold, heat & humidity. Mind you, they did not mention 'oil control', so I will evaluate the product performance based on company claims only. What better time to check the validity of makeup-fixing claims than during the Pakistani summers :D This was added in my makeup arsenal in the beginning of Spring/Summer '15 when launched by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Makeup-Revolution-Pakistan" target="_blank">Makeup Revolution Pakistan</a>. For reference, my skin transitions from normal/combination to outrageously oily in the hot weather. Moreover, I sweat profusely with my body's thermostat being super efficient :-/ The resultant of this is - blush fading super quickly, foundation slipping off the face, frequent blotting of sweat causing makeup smudging and the likes. Ideally, I avoid makeup layers in the intense summer days/nights. Still, I wanted to see if this can be my aide when it comes to rocking some makeup when needed for a semi-formal/formal event(s). The product itself comes in a 100ml sleek white plastic spray bottle. Mine has not taken a fall, but it appears to be sturdy and compact. It is easier to pop it in your handbag for touchups, if you wish so. The first trial of the Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray by Makeup Revolution was done when I moisturized my skin with Clinique and wore a powder blush lightly. Without foundation, the blushes fade quicker, right? To test it out, I spritz the spray a few times by keeping the bottle a foot and a half away from my face while my eyes were closed. It was a fine mist that was dispensed evenly in each spritz. It gives you control in covering the facial areas evenly. There was no aerosol like we find in body and hair sprays, just a vaporized mist like rose water. The fragrance was almost negligible to me, so nothing that would bother or linger. The face felt moist, but not tacky. Then, I went my merry way to the office. After 8:30 AM, I checked my face in the mirror around 1:00 PM - the blush had faded a little, but still very much visible. The next I checked around 5:00 PM, it had almost diffused into my skin, but the cheeks did not look blank. The next few attempts to test the product involved - using full face of primer, foundation, setting powder, blush, highlighter & eye makeup. It stayed 90% fresh through outdoor humidity for 6-7 hours. Naturally, it could not curb or control the sweating, but the aftermath was no longer makeup-ocalyptic :) The runniest of mascaras and the messiest of liquid eyeliners stayed put unless I smudged them by rubbing my eyes. It did not control oil - neither does it claim to, but after you blot or gently wipe the oiliness away with blot-sheets or tissues, the makeup remains intact! It's a fair deal. I have tried it with different foundations and it does a solid job in curbing the 'slip & fade' issue. The transferability is reduced, but not eliminated completely in most cases - that is because it is inevitable with all formulations I have tried till date. The compact powder and sprays control it to a certain degree, but that's that. I love how I pop it in my bag easily for the travel and it will last anyone for 8-12 months with the average dispensation being two/three pumps only.<br />
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<b>GRADE: A</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu33ByO0nYmHYBClZ5K3x45Pnoej6eLm1Z2gp2_fvGFWcnWkTm9btAzSmBR_ydRyLBgsZStl6H8MeecYFc3HzADcT_rnVX6Vn84qr1VzuFCv5QkhdraqeG_DZIEhU153GFod8SZEkzcw/s1600/DSCN3300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu33ByO0nYmHYBClZ5K3x45Pnoej6eLm1Z2gp2_fvGFWcnWkTm9btAzSmBR_ydRyLBgsZStl6H8MeecYFc3HzADcT_rnVX6Vn84qr1VzuFCv5QkhdraqeG_DZIEhU153GFod8SZEkzcw/s640/DSCN3300.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Does the Makeup Revolution Makeup Fixing Spray leave you wishing for an Oil-Control version? Well, they thought so, too! Folks at Makeup Revolution International formulated another version of makeup setting spray - <b>Pro-Fix Oil Control Makeup Fixing Spray Makeup</b> - designed specifically to cater to combination/oily skinned beauties. It retails in Pakistan at <a href="http://reforma.pk/">Reforma.PK</a> and <a href="http://daraz.pk/">Daraz.PK</a> for PKR 850 - the same price as Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray. The 100 ml plastic packaging is also identical, so I always have to peek at its name for knowing if I picked the intended one :-) The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Makeup-Revolution-Pakistan" target="_blank">Makeup Revolution Pakistan</a> claims to deliver a 'just-applied' look for up to 12 hours with this setting spray along with a 'natural matte' look to the makeup. It also promises to add on the benefits of its sister-spray by incorporating the ingredients that make your face & eye makeup last without fading & smudging. The testing phase with this began with applying it over my L'Oreal Revitalift SPF20. This day cream is moisturizing, but leaves a greasy cast on my skin during such weather conditions. Immediately after I sprayed the fine mist twice/thrice over my face, it toned down the greaseball look into a moisture-matte one. It was not tacky. Neither did it feel like a film of thin plastic over my face. As the day went by, the first peeks of shine & oil began after 2-3 hours in mildly air-conditioned place. By the end of day (8 hours), my face was shiny as usual. Next time, I tried it with The Body Shop All-in-One Face Base which ironically is the only powder foundation that does nothing for sebum control. It stayed fresh and did not oxidize for nearly 4-5 hours. The oiliness usually peeks through after 1-2 hours without spray. With Oil-Control Spray, the problematic shiny-ness appeared well after 3-4 hours. At all times, my face does not remain flat-matte. There is certain soft-focus natural finish which I prefer and this one helped me retain that longer than usual. The 12-hour claim was not validated, but it does help keep my facial makeup fresh for almost 6+ hours at a stretch - experimented with full-faced formal makeup which remained thankfully intact through outdoor humidity.</div>
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Between the two, I find it hard to pick my favorite. They are used on an almost-daily basis. If I have to recommend one - gun-to-my-head - I would go for Makeup Revolution Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray. Why not all this fixing awesomeness PLUS oil-control benefits? Umm... No, because I felt the longevity and freshness of my makeup was more pronounced with Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray. That is the core purpose behind my usage of sprays. Oil is something that no spray can totally control beyond a couple of hours. It all comes down to good setting powders and industry-strength matte foundations preceded by some solid skin care. If you'd rather have couple of hours peace and above average fixing properties, you can opt for the Oil-Control version by Makeup Revolution.<br />
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<b>GRADE: B+</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcSInqoKuY-hj5KgDzEmqRNLA50-RBwnOmHE6yV1Lf_FwvHRB06TTVMC82APZMDgzhQvTCKp2o1e_PJsuLipsZBd-HmbCkinzO0KDVSSEe1pc0peOXYEnj_8tvxMxK4FmnRL41bRN96E/s1600/DSCN3295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcSInqoKuY-hj5KgDzEmqRNLA50-RBwnOmHE6yV1Lf_FwvHRB06TTVMC82APZMDgzhQvTCKp2o1e_PJsuLipsZBd-HmbCkinzO0KDVSSEe1pc0peOXYEnj_8tvxMxK4FmnRL41bRN96E/s640/DSCN3295.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Red & Black Mineral Makeup Fix</b> was an impulse purchase from one of the assorted cosmetic nooks of Al-Fatah, Lahore for around PKR 700. At that time, Urban Decay All-Nighter was the expensive buy of mine and I was on the lookout for a substitute, if possible. Red & Black comes with a translucent white plastic bottle with a pump. The seemingly simple packaging turned out to be faulty as it stayed horizontally flat in a drawer while I was in the process of moving & sorting my makeup. It leaked a little and developed a tacky smear on its side. Interestingly enough, it stayed like that for a month and only leaked a little. I was clueless as to what made it leak... and then how did it stop by itself. Thankfully, there was no damage to my drawers (...and that is how I understood how my Mom would always stuff old magazines or plastic sheets as drawer liners :-D). I have not been able to gather much information on the Red & Black as a brand. When I researched online, it was frustrating and a tad shady. The only association I was able to make was that this brand belongs to China, some way. It made me a little wary and I toyed with the idea of returning the product altogether. However, this stayed and I experimented with it. With the Red & Black makeup spray, the mist sprayed in one pump is enough to cover the whole face. It was not "fine". I felt the droplets were significantly bigger than what I had been used to of. Worse, the droplets dried to be tacky. Moving my facial muscles felt like I have a dry-stretchy skin. Not the best feeling, I tell you! I salvaged what I had put on by trying to apply powder - nope, not the best choice ;/ I ended up washing my face. Another time I dabbled into it, I kept my base simple, so that the eventual facewashing wouldn't make my effort & makeup go down the drain - LITERALLY. Immediately after spraying a pump or two, I used the RT Core Collection powder brush in stippling motion to buff it in my skin. The same technique was tried with Beauty Blender too. That spreads the product evenly and it doesn't become overly tacky. You have to be quick in it, though. This dries up pretty fast. I did not notice overt shine till an hour or two, but the experience was not pleasant. I felt like my skin was being messed with as the natural oils mixed with this tack-fest. It had no particular smell, but the vapors did tingle the eyes - sometimes. The suffocated & heavy feel faded a little, but my makeup stayed okay. I never made it beyond the 2-3 hour mark as I would always end up washing my face and felt better. It was a makeup-fixing nightmare which I wish I hadn't invited on myself. Steer clear of it, loves! -_-<br />
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<b>GRADE: F</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR-8uyOipgkNmNyTIrWEPzspAZAsdB2vmCGhIz9GDzd9Lt78rXfki42L4qHzTnRF39dqwJPfdEjd60ppocJ7wjeD8xu3I4rw3QEjfdTQIKIdIv_4Q5ZQvzR1bvdxBnfJqIwetopM-MJ0/s1600/DSCN3301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR-8uyOipgkNmNyTIrWEPzspAZAsdB2vmCGhIz9GDzd9Lt78rXfki42L4qHzTnRF39dqwJPfdEjd60ppocJ7wjeD8xu3I4rw3QEjfdTQIKIdIv_4Q5ZQvzR1bvdxBnfJqIwetopM-MJ0/s640/DSCN3301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Stageline Makeup Fixer</b> is a product that made a debut in my life as an SA pestered me into buying it. It was not unpleasant, but I was half-convinced of something working good for PKR 600 only. Especially when Red & Black had me bad -_- Anyhow, I brought home this budget beauty and I would refer you all to check out the <a href="https://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2014/11/coastal-scents-revealed-1-2-eyeshadow.html" target="_blank">Coastal Scents REVEALED 1 & 2 Eyeshadow Palettes Review and Swatches </a>to be blown away by how this upped the amp of my eyeshadows' intensity. It comes packaged in a short thick metallic 125 ML bottle with a plastic pump & a transparent lid. It is compact, yet I would not trust it in my bag as the lid comes off easily and there is no *second* lid as with Urban Decay. I did carry it a few times, but straight up in a makeup bag. As the product performance claims go, the Stageline Professional introduces it as an "alternative" to setting powder to let the makeup stay put on your face and not transfer due to sweat/heat/humidity. It also claims to keep makeup look 'untouched' all day. The first thing I noticed during my experience is that the pump dispenser does not spray uniformly. Sometimes, it would spray too much and not distribute it evenly - much like the physics of a squirt water-gun. At other times, it would work okay as a fine mist. My trick is to test a couple of times on my arm to see what 'state' is it in and then shake it well to use over my face. It does have the stickiness to it if you dispense too much. However, it is not as uncomfortable as with Red & Black. If I vapors are too much and I don't do the buffing technique, the tacky feeling remains for a while. Simply buff it in and you would be good to go. It has a certain chemical fragrance, but it does not irritate my skin. Through the year, I have had more than satisfactory experience with Stageline, overall. In detail, it has not done anything significant about transferability of the foundation. Neither did it become an alternative to compact powder. I still needed to fool-proof my application with powder. Despite that, it did not only made my makeup stay good all day, but also played its part in making the eyeshadows more vibrant for me. Due to its mild tackiness, it somehow helps the makeup adhere to it. The best way to use it in layering. For example, I prime my lids and undereye area and spray the makeup fixer lightly onto Beauty Blender and help layer & buff the corrector & foundation first - followed by the concealer. If your eyes are sensitive, it is best not to attempt this, but I do "set" it with spritz on the brush/sponge and buffing a little. Sometimes I spray before applying brush and keep my skin a little moist when to make the blush color payoff more pigmented and with longer lasting power. It is relatively difficult to blend, so I use a very light hand with blushes that are easily blended. Moreover, for that 100-watt glow on my face, again - use it as a base when you are applying the powder/cream highlighter. Everything stays in place till you take it off. I recommend something heavy-duty to cleanse your skin since I feel it hold onto makeup (foundation) a little too closely. It does not budge easily :-) With its dips and turns, I still find it a decent spray that you can use and enjoy in Pakistani weather.<br />
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<b>GRADE: B</b></div>
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<b>Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray</b> is one of the much-revered makeup fixing sprays in the market. It retails in two sizes - 30ML for $14 and 120ML for $30. When I bought this in my mega Wedding Haul, I thought quite a lot of whether or not this is something I should splurge on. My reception and dinners would be in Summer heat and I wanted to look well-put-together since I would be dousing myself into this much makeup for the first time in my life. Well, I took the leap of faith and brought this baby home in full-size. The company offers detailed description & claims for this one, y'all. One, this is exclusively developed by Skindinavia in a collaboration with Urban Decay since the former know their trade when it comes to makeup fixing. The All-Nighter spray claims to get the party going by offering you 16-hour smudge-proof budge-proof makeup in all sorts of weather conditions. It claims that your skin would look like an awesome version of yourself with smooth texture and vibrant color payoff of the cosmetics used. Coming onto the packaging, it is a strong & sturdy plastic bottle that has dual lids. I have popped it in my luggage for international travel and kept with me on frequent trips otherwise too. The full size is not as travel friendly, but no complaints for spillage or the bottle damage. The whole bottle had a luxe feel to it even though it is not the one with the most ML, but the bottle is certainly the biggest. It dispenses the fine mist with negligible fragrance which sets itself without tackiness in 30 or so seconds. For my full face, I need a pump or two only from an arm's length. Initially, I had no idea what to expect when you put this on and could not, honestly, tell the difference. I thought it would curb my sebum/shine, but nope, that was not significant either. I would still religiously put this on every time I would apply makeup. My face would stay fresh almost 6-8 hours, but again, I took it a "normal" since every makeup item you use claims awesome lasting powers and "matte" formulations. Now that I have tried different sprays and gotten wiser about these, I realize that All-Nighter does its job with a subtle elegance. To be honest, there was not much difference in smoothness - primarily because my face is *Masha'Allah* even in texture unless I have angry hormonal breakouts. The transferability is not avoidable - even while wearing this and I did find light foundation stains on the neckline of my shirts while wearing the spray. May be I used to skip spraying diligently on my neck? Anyhow, with All-Nighter, you can put blind trust. It sets your makeup so well that sometimes even becomes hard to rectify your makeup mistakes. Last time I wore it, I was in a rush and couldn't blend my foundation properly. When I saw my face in the compact mirror on my way over to the event I was supposed to attend, the streaks were pretty prominent and no amount of finger-scrubbing would help even it out to perfection. One factor could be my primer and foundation tendencies to not budge & blend. Plus, the magic of All Nighter. It lives up to most of its claims, but the price.... the price, however, is steep enough to "SET" you too :-P not just the makeup.<br />
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<b>GRADE: A-</b></div>
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After writing this review, I took another week to try each of these again and see if something needs an update. Incidently, everything reiterated my experience that I have penned down for you. So, let's get all comparative & competitive now - if I had to recommend sprays out of these, they would be:<br />
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<i>Sets Your Makeup In Stone </i>- Urban Decay All Nighter Spray<br />
<i>Best Bang For Your Buck</i> - Makeup Revolution Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray<br />
<i>Keeps Oil At Bay Beyond Two Hours</i> - None<br />
<i>Makes Eyeshadows Pop & Last</i> - Stageline Makeup Fixer<br />
<i>Turns Your Skin Smooth Before Makeup</i> - Makeup Revolution Oil Control Makeup Fixing Spray<br />
<i>You Must Avoid At All Costs</i> - Red & Black Makeup Fix<br />
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Now, here's a bonus myth-buster and an honorary mention of something that is widely misunderstood as your friendly neighbourhood setting spray - MAC FIX+</div>
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MAC Fix+ has all the indications of being a makeup fixing spray - the name being the foremost - yet it is NOT a hardcore makeup fixer. It is mistaken to be one, though. In the sweltering heat of Pakistan, MAC Fix+ does not make your makeup last any longer or help in controlling oil. So, what is that MAC Fix+ do? Well, it does a whole lot! It is a multi-purpose product and I have discussed it lovingly in my Favorites posts. You can spritz the fine mist before makeup application for smoother makeup application. It can be used in between makeup steps or at the end for finishing it. That will not only remove the cakey powdery feel, but also impart a certain dewy finish. You can't compare that dewy-ness to that of a highlighter or illuminator, but more like a moisturized well-put-together look. It is an awesome product. However, you need to keep your ground-work the best. Your base/powder needs to match your skin and applied properly because I noticed if my foundation is a tad too dark/light for my skin or the application is streaky/uneven, the use of MAC Fix+ will make me grey-ish. In addition to this, I love how I can spray it on my eyeshadow brush to make the color payoff more intense and use at intervals to freshen up my face - although I feel the latter is purely vain on my part :P I love it to the core. Just a couple of days ago, I noticed that mine has almost finished. I am on the prowl for its replacement. This might be the only MAKEUP product I have used up and need a replacement of :-/ If you are a makeup enthusiast or an artist, you at least need the travel size MAC Fix + in your makeup arsenal.</div>
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That is one lengthy post... well, I am forever thankful to those who read these posts past my mistakes and glitches. More so, they find time to go through my words I write in the hopes of helping at least one person :-) Thank you, thank you all <3<br />
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I would love to hear your experiences and recommendations on makeup setting sprays. Until next time,<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Disclaimer: This post may contain PR Samples shared for review. The opinions expressed are, however, unbiased and honest as per my personal experience.</i></span></div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-43095601947679681852015-06-16T17:02:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:12.738+05:00May Favorites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Despite my resolve to blog more often, I have been stuck between the job and the travel. When I am not doing either of the two, I am at my home - opening a cookbook for dummies and trying to make sense out of the basic recipes. So far, I have had success with <i>Dhaaba Daal</i>, Chicken Kebab & <i>Aalu Gosht </i>recipes (from Fatima Afridi's <a href="http://archivesofpassion.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>) as well as <i>Laccha </i>Chicken, <i>Madrassi </i>Chicken, Alfredo Fettuccine, <i>Bhindi</i>, Watermelon & Tang Punch, Mint Lemonade, and few other discoveries/inventions of mine. My aides through this have been an ARY Digital Cookbook and a bunch of likeminded fellows motivating each other to lose weight on Whatsapp. That group of 50+ buddies called "Weight Busters" :-3 Should there be a feature of cooking on my blog...? - although I believe that requires a certain womanly grace which I clearly lack :-P<br />
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With the days full of scorching sunlight, minimal or no makeup has been my choice. Full face of makeup makes me feel like I will melt under the humid pressure of Karachi... and the sweltering heat of Lahore. So, what did I pick in May as my little helpers - Find out here:<br />
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<b>Makeup Revolution Pro-Fix Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray</b> - Every month, you must have spotted at least one makeup item from the brand. With their fresh stocks and affordable prices, they keep me coming back to them. I have been using makeup fixing sprays for an upcoming comparison post. I had multiple fixing products before and for some reason, I could not spot the difference(s) :$ Now, with a keen eye and days spent in taking notes (for the performance), I am catching up. I will not give away more spoilers about this, Just this - The MUR spray keeps my makeup intact for as long as I am wearing it <3<br />
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<b>The Body Shop All-in-One Face Base</b> - It is a holy grail foundation for some oily-skinned beauties on PBBC who recommended it to me. Ever since I got it, I am hooked :-) Despite being a powder foundation, it DOES NOT go an extra mile in oil-control. That is perhaps my only beef with it. Other than that, I love it for a natural coverage and flawless skin that it gives me. The Body Shop products have gotten pricier in our part of the world with all the luxury-taxes and what-nots. I am almost fearful of what the next budget might bring :-/ Anyhow, if you wear foundation daily with sheer-to-medium coverage and can't handle the liquid formula melting on your face, do give this a shot. The oil-control bit has been my personal experience, while others report no such flaw. To test that, wear the tester shade of yours for a few hours and see how it goes for you. Best of Luck!<br />
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<b>Revlon Matte Balm in Standout</b> - Despite my love for reds, I was not easily excited by deeper reds. They are mature and sophisticated - neither of which is my trait :-D I preferred staying bright and bold with blue-based reds, instead. On fairer complexion, less pigmented lips, and under better lighting, Standout looked fresh & bright red. When applied, it was more of a muted maroon. It was a turnoff and I applied it a few times last month (after keepng it for over a year) ... and fell in love. My color preferences have not changed, but this is an appropriate red to wear for a meeting or some grown-ups' dinner - both of which have become pretty common now ;-) The formula is a breeze to work with. A modern matte or semi matte without any sheen. It does transfer on the glasses/cups, but at the end of the day remains (at least) 90% intact on me with eating/drinking. No drying out of lips either. Now that we are friends, it is the most-used shade among over a dozen of chubby-lip-pencils that I have <3<br />
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<b>MAC Proenza Schouler Lipstick in Mangrove</b> - Okay, confession - I got the lipstick for its packaging. I had no idea about its launch until I spotted in Al Fatah, Lahore few months ago. The moment I was shown the bullet of the lipstick, I was sure that I wanted it. It was the perfect kind of orange-coral which I could sport without requiring any makeup. Since none of my winter wardrobe items complemented this, I had to wait for Spring/Summer to wear the raging bright shade that it is. On my Mom, it looks almost like how MAC Morange would, but on my pigmented lips it is much more warmer and pink-er. I like the latter outcome better. I have been wearing it often lately and it lasts for about 5-6 hours comfortably, leaving a gorgeous warm-pink tint that stays for another couple of hours. I usually pair it up with MAC Prep + Prime Lip (primer) for the lipstick to last even longer.<br />
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<b>Lime Crime Velvetine in Wicked</b> - It has been my first Lime Crime product, but the smooth velvety feel of this matte liquid lipsticks is amazing! The color I got was certainly one of the boldest I have got in my collection and it screams Fall/Winter for some reason. The few times that I have sported it, I kept the rest of the face makeup smooth & minimal. The color is not for the faint-hearted and I do sometimes top it up with something magenta/purple to bring out the berry hues of the color. Next up on my wishlist is Pink Velvet and then may be will try more (different) liquid formulations to do a comparison post ^_^<br />
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That's all, folks! What products have been your favorites in May? I'd love to hear about it <3<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia</div>
The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-18781697336651729682015-06-10T10:45:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:10.438+05:00DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7ChOpBg4S0SpKQ1VlrvVE8x0JvsHgzuXzW9N9gWFkf7JOnNKp5Tv1x6eo32LMCM7ZwvkiC6rJcmjsF6rganYIFM5sNqcUt_rEPBKHQH2HELczEVdI4YP458EsiX3FkRdZF8BoKyL2Ok/s1600/DSC_00721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7ChOpBg4S0SpKQ1VlrvVE8x0JvsHgzuXzW9N9gWFkf7JOnNKp5Tv1x6eo32LMCM7ZwvkiC6rJcmjsF6rganYIFM5sNqcUt_rEPBKHQH2HELczEVdI4YP458EsiX3FkRdZF8BoKyL2Ok/s1600/DSC_00721.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you were to raid your Mom’s vintage makeup stash, what
would you find?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’d find a pressed powder with a velour applicator – or
‘puff’ as my Mom would call it. Since it was a dowry item from my Mom’s
wedding... by the time I got enough sense to dabble (read: destroy) makeup, the
pressed powder had developed a hardened crust that would not transfer the
powder, but the subtle highlighting shimmer only. Fun Fact – I STILL have
cracked half of it minus the mirror and the ‘puff’. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another item would be a lipstick – ranging from Elizabeth
Arden to Swiss Miss. The same would double as a blush. That's one thing I am sure we all remember while watching our mothers dress up quickly. Oh... and the lipsticks would at best be FROST finish :-/ Something she could carry off like a breeze, but me... well, not in a million years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Third would be a foundation stick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before she ventured into liquid versions – the story of
which I explained in my Foundation Collection – 1 Post – the stick version was
essential. I am not sure of the brand, but there were two with strong pink
undertones and they left a ghost-white-cast on me. Mom, on the other hand, rocked it
with a wet sponge. Yep. Wet SPONGE. All those who think that the hype of Beauty
Blender is what revolutionized sponge-usage for foundation(s), nope. They've
been there long before the revered BB. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Foundation sticks used to be a makeup nightmare – cakey, heavy,
white, and unnatural. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot has changed since I've dabbled into makeup, I have found ways to make the
stick foundation work for my skin tone. Moreover, I have learnt to truly appreciate
how they can be a multi-purpose product. It can double as your primer, color corrector, contour, highlight, concealer, brightener - in the least! The more creatively you mix it up with other products, the more it will surprise you. Now that I am better equipped with the skills - I got a chance to try DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fun Fact - I opted for these to use as CONTOUR & HIGHLIGHT creamy sticks. For somebody like me who has not tried contouring and highlighting before, did this work? Find out next:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjcLpxkPXmx2bl54CiJsKS3HkNNomi2mRjvRgmMNLnz-d7Oe4qfKTVJzkpyYFZ8xLJg1ISBn4ZhwTM_WyOlNOwCxCkI_Swylkmg3aLyHhV1yJZovXHcBdrS16k6lF3WedBNlf4SL3DP0/s1600/DSC_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjcLpxkPXmx2bl54CiJsKS3HkNNomi2mRjvRgmMNLnz-d7Oe4qfKTVJzkpyYFZ8xLJg1ISBn4ZhwTM_WyOlNOwCxCkI_Swylkmg3aLyHhV1yJZovXHcBdrS16k6lF3WedBNlf4SL3DP0/s640/DSC_0080.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Going back to my nerdy roots, let me introduce D.M.G.M. is an abbreviation of "<b>Discover the Mark of Glamourous Makeup</b>". I found it out for myself at the <a href="http://www.dmgmcosmetics.com/" target="_blank">DMGM Cosmetics</a> website while I browsed through their products. The Photo Fix Pan Stick retails for PKR 1,695 at <a href="http://just4girls.pk/">Just4Girls.PK</a> and in-store counters across Pakistan. </div>
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The DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick comes in a matte-black cardboard packaging with a standard black plastic stick inside. As compared to other brands of foundation sticks that I have, this one feels lighter in weight. Perhaps the thinner plastic? I have carried it in my makeup bag without any accidents till date. I would still be more than careful of not letting this one take a fall. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijurSlm6DsnqY-kOQSEsMseNBE9ICNeoHgZrYZL0ajcGuOrPHXysLTzZnZbPHw47ot8tQdWcyTjiEn_9olqsrw6YbNb0vHCCwkeL3THvNsWLrtH3xzfgBIQ0IQ881uGavqd-0C6pImdGM/s1600/DSC_00771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijurSlm6DsnqY-kOQSEsMseNBE9ICNeoHgZrYZL0ajcGuOrPHXysLTzZnZbPHw47ot8tQdWcyTjiEn_9olqsrw6YbNb0vHCCwkeL3THvNsWLrtH3xzfgBIQ0IQ881uGavqd-0C6pImdGM/s640/DSC_00771.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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First, coming to the shade selection - I wished there were some reviews online for me to use as reference becuase the personal visit to the makeup counter(s) is difficult to manage with my routine... and a husband who steers me away from the makeup aisles -_- Having said this, I strongly recommend that you all should always visit in person for any foundation selection needs. Search for samples if you are buying online. Still, if you have to make a decision on online swatches, read up on undertones, oxidation, and coverage to see whether a particular shade suits you. Since these were meant for my contouring, I browsed through online shade card and picked the darkest "Golden Sepia" for contouring, while "Beige Natural" was chosen for highlighting.<br />
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Just to clarify, by this "highlighter", I mean a foundation/cream product that is a shade or two lighter than my skin tone which you can wear over your regular foundation ever so lightly to give the illusion of natural light hitting your face. Contouring has its pitfalls. It might make you look older, sharper, or even unnatural in reality. It is best for usage in front of camera along with full face of makeup. You can always do a natural version on regular basis, but practice is essential for doing it right and doing it light :-D You cannot feign the shadows when a friend is watching your face from few inches away...and goes... "err... what's with these brown/orange marks, bro? Bad tanner?" :-D<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykNI9epHbCUMoOPHkMM-glcaKehexJwg9v0fi1wOIlvmZ9aoCvPP6MiWJQzBTQ7cvz9wtcmwUow3qJ0PrVPomCIup8kawFcfWnYdnJ_SBKBtduYNgaf8XeDjvJTo7R1kYRSEIxxm7Oec/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykNI9epHbCUMoOPHkMM-glcaKehexJwg9v0fi1wOIlvmZ9aoCvPP6MiWJQzBTQ7cvz9wtcmwUow3qJ0PrVPomCIup8kawFcfWnYdnJ_SBKBtduYNgaf8XeDjvJTo7R1kYRSEIxxm7Oec/s640/DSC_0087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In retrospect, if I were to choose a shade for the highlighter, I would have picked one shade lighter than this. When my foundation has given an even coverage on the face, the Beige Natural does not appear 'lighter' on me. May be a bit, but not quite.<br />
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Coming on to how well they do, first - The cardboard packaging has a list of claims about the product performance:</div>
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<li><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">The ultimate skin rescuer provides the coverage of a
concealer, foundation and powder all in one.</i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Evens out skin tone and creates the illusion of flawless skin
by deflecting light form imperfections.</i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">The soft, creamy texture allows a totally controllable level
of coverage and encourages you to apply just as much or as little as you need.</i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Delivers maximum coverage for perfect and even skin tone</i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Won't clog pores and blend smoothly to give you the flawless
face you've always wanted.</i></li>
<li><i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">High coverage soft and creamy texture</i></li>
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<span style="line-height: 17.142858505249px;">I received the product in winters, so the texture was initially not quite creamy. It was not too dry either, but something that would require a little warm-up between your fingers or a dash of moisturizer to get things going. In Summers, however, this issue was not experienced. They were stored in a cool/dry place in the drawer (within an AConditioned room). Their texture turned creamier, easier to use. The slight flakiness that I encountered in winters was no longer an issue. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.142858505249px;">Another thing I noticed during arm-swatching was - the formula was a tad unforgiving towards 'hair'. The peach fuzz on the face was okay, but if somebody has noticeable/thicker facial hair & dry skin, you might experience some trouble in achieving an even application. When I applied the contour shade under the jawline for curbing my double-chin (*sigh*), I had to spend couple of minutes extra with a damp sponge to get the even around some thicker facial hair. The next time, I countered this problem by moisturizing my face well and priming the jawline/neck too. Usually, I skip that :-/ The problem was 95% solved with this little change - and the contouring lasted longer :-3</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.142858505249px;">The coverage is medium-to-full. In winter, due to drier consistency of the product, I had to directly apply it on my skin as the brushes that I had would not evenly pick up the desired level of product. In my recent experience, the texture is creamy enough to be applied by fingers/tools very well. I put it on in thinnest possible layers and I absolutely love how wonderfully it blends. It is the right kind of blending. Many people complain that the contouring does not show up enough or it blends too much to give a muddy mess on the face. Or, the flip side, some leave harsh un-blendable lines on your face that is not a pleasant sight in itself. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.142858505249px;">Fortunately, DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick Golden Sepia gave me enough control to blend the edges into a diffused shadow while it stayed on my face through heat & sweat.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.142858505249px;">To do this right - One, you need the right tools and techniques best suited for your face. Two, you should use a cream product not too dark for your skin tone. "Sealing" it is very important because on me, the products slip :-/ So, I usually top the cream off with my Sleek Contour Kit matte brown powder. </span></div>
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When I swatched the product, I was glas that Golden Sepia was not 'orangey' like many powders/creams that are used for contouring. It was not the absolute muddy-shadowy shade, but that is understandable because this is meant as a foundation/concealer - not the hardcore contouring. </div>
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As you can perhaps see, I am more excited about the Golden Sepia. Partially because I have practised the 'contour' skills better than the matte-highlighting technique. Hence, I usually use just this in conjunction with my regular moisturizer or foundation. Beige Natural and I have friendly relationship, but that s strictly platonic. Shade-wise, it cannot be used as an undereye concealer on me because it tends to make the dark circles grey-ish. I use it on cheeks under the contour-line to make it neat and prominent, around the lips, apples of my cheeks, and very slightly in the middle of the forehead & nose. It gives me good blendability as well. </div>
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The overall coverage of both products can be layered up, as I mentioned before. However, with Beige Natural, anything beyond two layers looks cakey or unnatural. More of it has to do with the fact that I am not using it as a foundation. An important claim mentioned on the website and the packaging itself was that the product is WATER RESISTANT. By that claim, it should be fine with the sweating. I agree with the claims... to an extent. When I sweat/blot the face, the product does not transfer more than 5-10% (which is okay and understandable). However, beyond 3 times of sweating/blotting, the texture of the foundation looks a little unnatural. It was more pronounced with Beige Natural since it was not a shade match. Golden Sepia stayed fine, nonetheless. </div>
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At certain instances, I have used Beige Natural as an undereye concealer. Apart from the shade mismatch, the formula settled in my fine lines. The same was tried on my Mom and Mom in Law - they have fairer complexion, so it was a shade match for them, but the performance as a concealer was not exemplary. It creased, despite the powder & primer. Using the powder made the formula flakier than it was. Contouring with Golden Sepia was on point :-)</div>
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As for the skin sensitivity, I always use these products with a protective layer of primer and never have I ever left these overnight - so, no breakouts or allergies till date. *knock on wood*</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, I did enjoy using them as contouring & highlighting products. For a quick natural contouring, Golden Sepia has been quite suitable for my NC20-25 complexion. I wish the Beige Natural was a tad lighter to suit my needs, but that is entirely upon my own miscalculation in the shade selection. For winters, my skin requires some prep to use these smoothly. Dry-skinned beauties need to take a note of that. For us oilies, this gives good pigmentation, control and blendability. </span></div>
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Golden Sepia is the darkest shade in DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick, so it might be only suited for the pale-to-fair skinned ladies as a NATURAL contour stick. It is not the cheapest option, but a decent one among local counterparts. I would reiterate that you try the shades for foundation, concealer, or contouring usage on the DMGM makeup counters before selecting any.</div>
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Based on my experience, the verdict for DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick is:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6enAj9dHVuZPRK_v6f-PdgTYyW2LA7qcIn04rUFcF_JKwjgb8vn_xk1EZ3UNVTwBGcr6vHOcdxnHDXl6aNlLkU1MAfh1tz1-BLoC6wx_Blbu36yNwse2_u_WwQQGVIPEr_ZoJ2EXrk0/s1600/B%252B.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6enAj9dHVuZPRK_v6f-PdgTYyW2LA7qcIn04rUFcF_JKwjgb8vn_xk1EZ3UNVTwBGcr6vHOcdxnHDXl6aNlLkU1MAfh1tz1-BLoC6wx_Blbu36yNwse2_u_WwQQGVIPEr_ZoJ2EXrk0/s640/B%252B.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick is available in Pakistan at makeup counters in the market. For online purchase, you can visit <a href="http://just4girls.pk/">Just4Girls.PK</a> or DMGM Cosmetics <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dmgmcosmetic" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. For more information on DMGM products, visit their official <a href="http://www.dmgmcosmetics.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div>
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Have you used the DMGM Photo Fix Pan Stick? What products from DMGM would you like me to try next? Let me hear it in the comments, y'all!</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Disclaimer: This post may contain PR Samples shared for review. The opinions expressed are, however, unbiased and honest as per my personal experience.</i></span></div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-11105295116021077102015-05-04T20:15:00.000+05:002023-06-06T01:24:09.976+05:00April Favourites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Summer has hit us as if somebody dialed up the baking oven a notch for an extra crisp crust. With a reference like this, you must think I am big on baking. No, I am not. Can't bake for the life of me. I come in the eater category of baked goods :-P Coming back on, April has really made quite an impression on us in the southern part of Pakistan. For someone like me who cannot help but sweat profusely in the humid heat of Summers, all my focus has been diverted to wearing minimal makeup. Since your pores are worked up, they're prone to clogging and producing extra sebum, it is best to take better care of your skin and wear bare minimum amount of makeup if you're to get any outdoor exposure. Sunscreen has been my best friend in this weather, as I mentioned in my <a href="http://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2015/04/8-summer-skincare-essentials-for.html" target="_blank">8 Summer Essentials</a> post few days ago :) Don't neglect it, you! On this note, let me share an unusual selection of April Favorites:</div>
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<a name='more'></a>The reason for calling the products 'unusual' is that all of these were impulse purchases with no research or prior planning. Such products turn out to be a hit/miss - the 'misses' are way more than the hits, in my case. Hence, the pleasant surprise in finding them all rounded up here. Unleashing the awesome-ness:<br />
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<b>BUTTERFLY COSMETICS PERFECT MAKEUP BASE</b> is from a brand unbeknownst to me. I happened to grab some cheap triangular makeup sponges from the back aisle of Al-Fatah, Liberty (Lahore) because I had been putting my Beauty Blender under a lot of pressure and it snapped - literally. While I did not toss that away, I thought of buying some substitute - which did not work out, by the way. Back in the corner, there were some new products popped up on a counter with few girls trying a lipstick and a base. An SA approached me and my first response was a quiet nod. I thought she'd instantly jump to show me 'whitening' foundation which ticks me off as I find it demeaning to play up (most) women's weakness(es) and not guiding them for the RIGHT product. Thankfully, she only asked me to 'try' this primer/base which would soften my pores. A fresh tester was opened and I applied it on the right cheek around the nose. After getting my bills done, I gave a close look to my pores in a mirror, there was an airbrushed feeling WITHOUT silicone-y slip. It was about PKR 450-650, so I thought, what the - let's buy! It was not a sudden fallen-in-love euphoria, instead getting-to-know-it-as-bestfriend kinda feeling. I used it under different foundations and sometimes with a moisturizer/sunblock only. It kept my skin appear *hydrated-matte* If something of that sort were to exist. It is a thin white liquid primer/base which does not rub off the skin or ball up when I use sponge to buff the foundation in my skin. My skin would feel soft and smooth without any breakouts or irritation. To be on the safe side, I would apply moisturizer as it need to be in direct contact with your skin for hydration. Then apply primer and top it up by sunblock (and then foundation). I put few minutes' interval in between these steps for the skin to absorb and normalize. Working great so far!</div>
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<b>SIVANNA COLORS SHIMMER BRICKS</b> was another impulse purchase done last year from Color Collection, DHA (Lahore). It's a Thai drugstore brand with dupes of high-end cosmetics. Since there were no testers in the shop, I was simply attracted to these for their striking resemblance to Bobbi Brown's cult classic shimmer bricks and the price on which the Sivanna ones were available - PKR 500. I grabbed two shades 03 and 04. They're soft, pigmented and long-lasting. I use them alone as a blush and lightly tap on the high points of my cheeks for an ethereal glow that does not enhance my pores or blemishes. With a 2-in-1 product in a pan for a small price tag, I got lucky with this one. I find them more appropriate during the Summers and been using them since last one. Rediscovered their awsomeness this month - lovin' it so much!</div>
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<b>VIVA GLAM MILEY LIPSTICK</b> was first noticed by me in a TrendMood promo on Instagram. Frankly, I am not a big fan of the colors that have been released in Viva Glam series so far, even though they're for a noble cause [MAC donates 100% of revenue generated from the VIVA GLAM lipsticks and lipglass to AIDS Fund for past 20 years]. Not that I am a Miley Cyrus fan, but the bright pink color piqued my interest. A good Temptalia review always nudges me into ordering stuff that I don't essentially need. Somehow, it skipped my mind for a while until I saw this at AlFatah, Liberty (Lahore) for only PKR 2,000. My Mom had to get me a gift and I insited on the lipstick instead. Came home in a rush, just to stand in front of the mirror and apply it. Boy, I was so damn in love with the bright-as-a-bulb pink. It's lightly hydrating - despite being an Amplified formula. Due to its emollient nature, I expected it to slip during greasy food session I indulged in. Surprisingly, it did transfer but when I went to the ladies room to clean the corners - all of it 'looked' intact! The shine was gone, but the tint stayed till I removed it myself. My lips did not feel dry or patchy either. Tried a few times after that too, does not fail to surprise me in every usage <3</div>
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<b>CATRICE GLAMAZONA DEFINING BLUSH</b> in 01 I'm A Survivor is a gorgeous bright orange-coral color that I personally found to be too bold for my cheeks. Cherry on the top, this one was very pigmented, so even when I loved the color, this was simply in the back of my stash. Then, I decided to give it a whirl and it was just a single swipe of brush across it and the color would translate into the most flattering orange-coral for fair-medium skin tones. It gave the look of healthy cheeks with/without foundation. Something that looked very natural - despite my earlier concerns. Then, this became my go-to blush for both day & night. It stays put in this weather for over 4 hours in a light single swipe, you can build up more color by spraying a makeup fixer after it. For bolder color payoff (which is better with lighter blushes), I spray MAC Fix+ and apply blush lightly AFTER it, while my skin is still damp. Be careful because this method would not allow you to blend the blush properly, so it's best if you use a stipling brush or choose this with lighter shades only :)</div>
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<b>ESSENCE SOO GLOW! HIGHLIGHTER</b> landed here in my lap from Germany :) My lovely stunner of a cousin sent it to me along with few other products that I have loved and adored <3 I love my highlighters and this one happens to be the easiest to use when I am on-the-go. I don't think it is available at the local Essence counters yet, but I have not checked them recently, so can't be too sure. So, this Soo Glow! is a pale gold highlighter can be easily applied using your fingers or a stipling brush. It is pigmented and blends like a dream :-)You won't have a white-ish residue with it, so that means all skin colors can apply this with confidence. The best thing is that it can be used on skin without foundation and it will not make your pores prominent. Also, staying power is decent - not too long for outdoors in this heat, but stays put alright otherwise without too much blotting/wiping your face. I love how this becomes like a natural dewy glow (without chunky glitter) on your skin after a while. It's compact and easier to travel with, so this remains my office and trip-buddy for past couple of months <3</div>
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That's all from me, folks! How have you been holding up in this heat & humidity?</div>
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Any skin care or makeup product I should try? Let me know in the comments below <3</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-2444218847404118862015-04-19T12:10:00.001+05:002023-06-06T01:24:09.601+05:008 Summer Skincare Essentials for Oily/Combination Skin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A while back, one of my lovely readers put forth a request to discuss all face wash products that I have liked & disliked. Being a serial face wash changer, I have tried loads of them and the post would have been as drab as the PTV tractor shows we hated watching when we'd successfully bunk school pretending to have a stomachache... and no other program would be on the TV :-/ So, the scope of the face wash post was narrowed down to 5 best/worst in my experience. The post is in the making - yes! However, it will be pushed back a little as I take my sweet time to decide what should be the most appropriate format :-) </div>
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To make the wait easier, let me introduce my Summer Skincare Essentials - 8 products that I have in my arsenal right now and you should too - if you have combination/oily skin during hot & humid weather.</div>
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<a name='more'></a>Just so you understand my skin concerns, here is a relevant Skin Profile:<br />
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<i>Fair-Medium complexion prone to sun tan in Summers. Combination/Oily skin with a T-Zone that remains slick. Noticeable pores and embedded blackheads on the nose and cheeks. Fairly even skin tone with darker puffy undereye circles and slight pigmentation around the lips. Selectively sensitive skin - reacts in red patches when exposed to heat & bleaching agents. Tendency to sweat - a lot. Smooth skin except 4 chicken pox scars.</i></div>
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<b>OLAY PRO X ADVANCED CLEANSING SYSTEM</b> is a battery-operated rotating facial brush, for those who are not aware of it. This has become my staple since I have started using it - you can read my detailed review <a href="http://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2014/06/olay-pro-x-advanced-cleansing-system.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> for more information. It has been a year long companionship till date, and I have nothing but good words for this friend. Clarisonic has been the patented 'sonic' cleansing technology which has taken the beauty world by the storm. While the price of Clarisonic was a bummer for a newbie like me, I opted for the second-best that many bloggers recommended - Olay Pro X. Now, however, you would find the cheaper chinese products on the same principle with different brush heads. I have not personally used any of those, so would recommend that you only try a reliable one when it comes to your skin. Bad quality bristles, battery mess-ups, inadequate cleansing will do more 'bad' for your skin than 'good'. </div>
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Olay Pro X can be used daily or on alternate days as per your need. In Summers, I make use of this once a day (instead of twice that I previously did) to remove makeup and cleanse my skin deep down. The trick is not to use this vigorously. Else, it might overstimulate your skin and keep your pores open. Just a 5 minute gentle cleansing with a scrub/cleanser/face wash as per your skin needs in circular motion. You may be a little firm on areas that need more exfoliation like I do on my nose for blackheads. Don't concentrate too much on any specific area though. The bristles are extra soft, so my sensitive skin gives it a thumbs up, but caution is still necessary.</div>
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After washing, I let me skin air-dry under the fan or lightly pat with a soft facial tissue. Don't use towel or any shared item because the open pores will be prone to clogging, breakouts, and, in rare cases, infection. Also, it is strongly recommended not to put in a moisturizer or anything else on your face before 15-20 minutes. If you're in a hurry, rub a little ice on the face so that the pores return to their normal closed self - and whatever you apply does not cause any zits. These tips might sound finicky, but believe me, they create a lot of difference.You can order it via Facebook pages or <a href="http://just4girls.pk/">Just4girls.PK</a> since it is not available in stores in Pakistan. </div>
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<b>L'OREAL PURE ZONE EXFOLIATING GEL WASH</b> has been featured in my <a href="http://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-2013-favorites.html" target="_blank">2013 Favorites</a> and then made a reappearance in <a href="http://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2015/01/2014-beauty-favorites_27.html" target="_blank">2014 Favorites</a>. By these standards, you can very well understand how much this particular face wash means to me. Although I use it all year round, I particularly benefit from this exfoliating goodness during Summers when the blackheads come back with a vengeance. It contains fine exfoliating granules that do the job very well of cleaning the skin gently... yet neatly. I use it in the morning with my fingers to massage on the face lightly. At night, I use it in conjunction with the Olay Pro-X. Either way, I love the smooth skin and the subtle after-glow- like the one you get with your facial! It is best suited for oily-combination skin, because I find it a tad drying in the Winters when my skin leans drier than oilier. If you face the same issue, it is best to limit its usage in Summers. This is locally available in Pakistan on all L'Oreal counters and good superstores.</div>
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<b>LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS XL SPF50+</b> is my Sun-Block KING! First things first, you should forget eating a meal, but not forget putting on a sunblock. No matter whether you're indoors or outdoors, the sunblock is not for the "sun" protection only. UV ray exposure happens in front of kitchen stove, electronics and so much more. Sun might be the biggest culprit, but you do need something containing adequate SPF otherwise too. The requirement of SPF varies according to your particular skin condition and the surroundings, <a href="http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/high-spf-sunscreens-are-they-better" target="_blank">HERE</a>is a good resource on WebMD about how much SPF should you use daily. La Roche-Posay has a bunch of SPF products which boggle your mind once you stand in front of the counter at Boots. I checked a few in Dubai, but couldn't make up my mind. Some PBBC girls recommended this particular one, and I have nothing but sincere gratitude for them. I have used several locally available sunblock or sunscreens that vow to be 'oil-free', yet with the first sweat-bout or heat exposure, I turn into a slick-y mess. It will eventually be a turnoff for me. Now, this one does not keep my face flat matte, but I never get the residual feeling of applying a sun screen, yet it has the required slip to get applied all over my face. I use it alone and over my moisturizer. Even with the foundation and subsequent makeup, I don't have any complaints :-) It is pricey - as the European skin care brands are - but if you are using it regularly, trust me - totally worth it! The key is to use SOME form of SPF in your daily routine :-) I purchased it from Boots, Dubai. Many pharmacies in Dubai/KSA carried this. It is a European company, so ask your friends visiting from UK/EU to bring it for you or pre-order via Facebook pages :)</div>
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<b>LUSH MASK OF MAGNAMINTY</b> is another one of my <a href="http://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2015/01/2014-beauty-favorites_27.html" target="_blank">2014 Favorites</a>! My current tub is almost finished and I am looking for a replacement right now, but it truly is one of the things everyone should have for the extreme summers we have. It is a thick and strongly minty mask - which might irritate very sensitive skins, so beware! I have never faced the issue of redness as an aftermath. Infact, I find the minty tingle very cool and relaxing for my facial skin. It is a thick mask which you can apply and relax. Revel in the joy of cool freshness on your skin and listen to the pores singing along! Once the mask dries, you can take it off by using damp fingers and lightly massaging the mask on your skin. It is coarse in its texture, so it gives a good exfoliation to your skin. Concentrate a little more on your problem areas - like the ones having blackheads and whiteheads. Again, don't go overboard as the pores might open. Wash off the residue and let your face air dry. You will feel your skin to have been regenerated. My absolutely favorite feeling <3 You will need to preorder this from a Facebook page or a friend/family visiting from Dubai/US/UK - Although it has a self preserving formula (which I have not tried yet), this one comes with an expiration date of 2-3 months only. Get a smaller tub if you are going to use it just by yourself and not too often. Even that lasts you a good long while.</div>
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<b>THE BODY SHOP VITAMIN E SORBET</b> is a favorite, yet again. Although, my jar has finished and I have put the repurchase on hold for a while. I still strongly recommend everyone to try this one out! I am not a big fan of Vitamin E range at TBS. It is okay for the normal skin, but does not do any wonders for the oily-combo one like mine. It was an impulse purchase of a new launch that paid off big time! You'd love it in Summers when the texture reminds you of a frothy airy mousse-like sorbet and blends in your skin with a cool hydrating effect and instant smoothness. Between TBS Seaweed Day Cream and this, I took a liking to this one more than my previous Seaweed favorite. You need moisture in Summers, no matter what your skin type is. Interestingly, your skin produces more oil/sebum when it is not moisturized. Applying a good one will ensure that your skin cells are not parched and adequately retain the moisture. Do you know that water strips your face of the moisture? It is true! When water evaporates, it dries out the skin. Just washing your face with water too often in Summers will be counterproductive in minimizing the sebum. The drier it gets, the more oil it will produce. Moisturizer like Sorbet will ensure your oily skin gets essential moisture and will keep you significantly hydrated. If you go a little overboard with the amount you apply, the Sorbet balls up and comes off, so take care of that! You only need a little for your face. Another point - since it is a light product, apply it directly on your face and blend on it. Don't try the age-old formula where we mix on our hands before applying on face. Little or no product will transfer that way. You can purchase this from any local The Body Shop outlet or preorder from different sales and discounts that US/UK sites have.</div>
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<b>THE BODY SHOP TEA TREE OIL</b> has been in my skin care kit since my friend recommended it a couple of years back. Tea Tree Oil has antibacterial and antiseptic properties on top of many other qualities. You must have it in your kit as a small bottle will be with you through months and may be even longer. I use it on any zit, pimple, cold sore, mosquito bite, irritation, etc. which are pretty common for me during the hot weather. It has a strong smell, but I don't find it irritating. It has that slight tingling feeling to it as well, when applied. However, you might not feel it every time. I like the fact that it soothes any irritation and vanish the zits (which are not cystic) very quickly. One should know that this did not do anything to the scars or marks of any previous acne/breakouts. Using Tea Tree Oil will not ensure that the breakout will not leave marks either. It will, however, stop a secondary pimple from developing due to bacterial infection. You can purchase this from any local The Body Shop outlet or preorder from different sales and discounts that US/UK sites have.</div>
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<b>BIODERMA SENSIBIO H2O</b> has been another favorite which I have been reaching for more in Summers than the colder season. It is a 'water' cleanser - to put it crudely. You can use it as a makeup remover, cleanser, or even toner. That's multipurpose, no? It will clean out the dirt from your skin without stripping the skin of natural oils. I love it on lazy nights when I don't want to haul my a** to the washroom and wash my face properly after a makeup. Instead, I take cotton balls and use BioDerma to remove the makeup and have an additional one to ensure that no residue is left. I sleep and wake up without finding my face full of pimples. It is not a good routine to have - will not recommend it you, but BioDerma is awesome for all skin types and you'd be able to club your cleansing and toning routine into a quicker one :) Due to its formulation, I never felt any burning tingly feeling that most toners have on me. Another plus point - you can use it on face AND eyes. Even for waterproof makeup - this be the BOMB! The fragrance-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free formula is designed specifically to calm your skin and cleanse when chemical-heavy products wreck the active acne on the skin. The medium and full-sized packaging of BioDerma is easily available at good pharmacies across Pakistan as well as at Hyperstar. It's a European product, if you ever wish to ask a friend/family member to get this one for you :)</div>
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<b>CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURIZER</b> was featured in my <a href="http://thebeautyfinds.blogspot.com/2015/04/march-favorites.html" target="_blank">March Favorites</a> as being my recent moisturizer love. Once applied, Clinique gives a very lotion-like feeling, but it gets absorbed within few minutes and from then onwards, I don't have to worry about excessive shine on my face! It does not give the primer-like smoothness I achieved with the Sorbet, but instead makes skin very plump and soft to touch. It is one of the cult classics of the brand - and rightly so! <3 It does burn a hole in your pocket, but given the quantity and pump dispenser, one pump is enough for your face and neck - this is coming from a giant-faced person like me! So, this will last you a long while. Like I explained previously, I hold off the use of moisturizer till my facial pores are back to normal. Even if some moisturizer is non-comodogenic, I don't take the risk of clogging my pores, if that can be avoided. So, it is best to wait 15-20 minutes before applying anything after washing your face - especially when you are using any form of cleansing/massage/rotating brush/warm water. In Summers as well, a good moisturizer/serum should be the step 1 of your makeup. My Clinique Moisturizer is for Oily/Combination skin, so you know there are options for dry, normal and very dry skinned beauties too. Also, you can find this in deluxe size for the first trial and see how it suits your skin. I am certainly not leaving mine any time soon <3 You can pre-order a deluxe, medium, or full-size via Facebook pages taking US orders. Else, you can also find a few pieces in places like AlFatah, GreenValley, ENEM, Raja Sahib in Lahore and Vicky's, Farid's, Scentsation, Naheed in Karachi. Do take care in checking the expiration date on these items before purchasing.</div>
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<i>Update: The post has been updated to contain the availability information that was skipped previously.</i></div>
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Phew! It is getting hotter by the day. I am super finicky when it comes to bearing the heat. How are you guys coping and what is your skin care routine in Summers?</div>
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If you have any recommendations regarding any awesome products that I should try during the summer, do let me know in the comments!</div>
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Cheers,</div>
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8657733412437721306.post-87955601313190819252015-04-15T10:43:00.002+05:002023-06-06T01:24:16.887+05:00My Foundation Collection - I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Having a perfect skin is the dream, right? I was blessed with that growing up, until adulthood caught up with me. The hormonal breakouts, neglected skin care, work stress, lack of sleep, pollution, chicken pox - ugh! This damsel in distress needed a knight in shining armour to the rescue. Luckily, she got more than 1 ;-)<br />
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Foundation.... and Photoshop :-3 While the awesomeness of Photoshop filters and airbrush miracles are out of this post's scope, let's see how right foundations help you get a smooth canvas.<br />
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Learnt from my Mom, I had this equation in mind:<br />
Foundation = White Face = Cake Face = Baraat Dulhan = Over = Dad's Disapproval<br />
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After my Mom's high-end wedding foundations had rotten or taken away by relatives, she would simply keep one bottle on the vanity for "special occasions" once-in-a-blue-moon. On those occasions, she would be the last one to get ready in 2 minutes after dealing with the tantrums and special requests of our own preparation :-P Eventually, she'd forget to even put the foundation on. Luckily, she never needed it either. Kashmiri skin perfection. So, when I reached the age where she wouldn't frown on my foundation usage - and by that, I mean second year of my University - we'd get ONE bottle for BOTH of us in a common shade. That too from Anarkali Bazaar - Home of LaMcome, DiorE, Revlon PLUS, YS&L -_- Yep, we were shades apart too. If you know how replica/fake foundations are, they're all this grey-white gooey liquid that shopkeepers encourage you to buy for 'gora' result. If Mom and I were to wear the same thing, she'd just look like she dabbed a little too much loose powder, but my face would show up as if I had a timeout in our flour bin :-/ *sigh* Happy Days.<br />
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So, naturally, I'd been averse to foundation usage until a year or so back when I started off with Garnier BB Cream and built up my foundation collection gradually. Like 'real women have curves', 'right foundations suit' :-P Let's move on to what I keep and why I keep in my stash:<br />
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My foundation collection is an decent mix of drugstore picks with a couple high-end indulgences. Right now, the brands I own are Sephora Collection, Covergirl, MAC, Estee Lauder, and Kryolan. Before I introduce them individually, let me share my skin profile. It will probably give you a better reference when considering the same for yourself.<br />
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<b>Facial Skin Profile:</b> I have a fair-medium/medium shade in most foundations & concealers. It has neutral-to-yellow undertones. It's tricky to decide at times. My skin type is Combination. The T-Zone is prone to oiliness and the rest of the face leans drier. In summers, my skin mimics an oily skin with larger pores and sebum production. The colder weather has my skin dry in patches. I fairly even tone skin with puffy undereye circles and little pigmentation around the lips. I have a tendency to sweat profusely in summers and blush tomato-red in winters. The T-Zone has blackheads & whiteheads that remain to be a continued struggle. My forhead seems to be somewhat darker than the rest of my face at times when I have continued sun exposure. The neck is paler than my facial skin. I have a lot of moles, but no freckles. There are few dark spots of pimples that wouldn't budge and 5 noticeable chicken pox scars that I acquired as an aftermath of a recent bout. The frequency of pimples & zits is often in summers with most of them concentrated on the peripheral areas like sides of the brow or cheeks near the hairline. As for the hair growth, I have considerable peach-fuzz under my jawline and around the sides.<br />
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<b>SEPHORA COLLECTION 10HR WEAR PERFECTION FOUNDATION</b> was picked on a recent trip to Sephora, Dubai. I had been tanned as compared to my regular complexion, so all the foundations appeared grey-white on my skin. I wanted something in-between that I can use for an even-tone complexion during the tan and continue to use during summers. It was almost closing time at Sephora, while I looked at Dior, Chanel, Armani testers. I did not want to splurge that much and was confused on what would look the best on me. Shuffling through the aisles, a Sephora representative approached me and this was not like one of those local encounters where SA hog you till you run away. She was very nice and asked me if I would like to have a makeover done. My husband was roaming around with his friend because he thought I'd take my sweet time at Sephora - so I thought why not!? Well, she applied primer, foundation and powder on one side of my face with Sephora products and picked a couple of others in similar shade to the second half of my face. Interestingly, I liked the feel and appearance of Sephora ones. Then she didn't push me into buying these and asked to spend some time wearing these before picking anything. Sephora foundation was not too yellow, but very neutral and complemented my skin color. When my husband came to pick me up, he commented that I looked like a very...umm... HD version of myself. :-P Next day, my sole purpose in Dubai was to make to Sephora and grab this baby - which I did!<br />
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On my sweaty skin, it applied without any streaks, and made my skin look clearer - not brighter - but the tone of my facial skin. As for the oil control, I did not expect much and I didn't get much either. My face would still get greasy without compact & blotting sheets. It kept the shine at bay for about 2-3 hours, which is decent. This didn't clog my pores or cause any breakouts - not that I'd know of. I have slept a couple of times wearing foundation, which is not a healthy habit and I would strongly advise against it. My pores were airbrushed with this plus beauty blender. No particular need of wearing primer underneath. The foundation is semi-matte, so I could wear it in Winters as well, with a moisturizer underneath, of course. I am bad at noticing if a particular foundation oxidizes on me. They do slip off or get absorbed in my skin, but I barely apply to a medium coverage at best, so the absorption only gives a natural finish. This one turns dewy due to my natural skin oils and I like that look on my face, even during the hotter days when flat matte would be the best choice. Covering scars and dark circles, this one didn't do anything exceptional for those. I'd love to use it more often, but this one appears darker with my skin tone sans the tan. You won't find many online reviews for this one, which is a shame since it performs very very well on my combination & oily skin. If only transferability be managed well by it, I would have given this full marks.<br />
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<b>RATING: <span style="font-size: large;">A</span></b><br />
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UPDATE: <i>Brought this one along on a recent trip up North. It definitely is darker than my skin shade right now, but after a while it gives off a smoothing effect :-) After 6 hours of wearing this, my husband asked what am I wearing on the skin because it is smooth and radiant! Paisay Pooray! :-P</i><br />
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<b>ESTEE LAUDER DOUBLE WEAR MAXIMUM COVER</b> has been my pick during my first short trip to Dubai. It was the biggest impulse purchase of all times. Sephora was closing and it was my last night in Dubai. I didn't shop anything, so I WANTED to buy something. I was not too sure of the shade in Estee Lauder's cult classic foundation and they were rounding up people to leave. I grabbed this and made a run for it. To be honest, I regretted the purchase because when I got back home, I thought of this to be a benign little tube. Much like a BB cream, perhaps. We were getting ready for a dinner and I thought, why not try the simple thing :-) A little pea-sized amount I applied to my face and tried blending with finger. It was SO pigmented that I felt my fingers are making the foundation multiply! It was just too much. My face and neck were done and still there's some left on my hands! Never judge a foundation by how it looks from outside. Lesson learnt :-P<br />
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I have not used it a lot because shortly after this, I had a bad case of chicken pox which turned me off from makeup for like 3-4 months. However, this definitely is one of the best formulations I have tried for a medium-full coverage. You might feel it to be a little intimidating. Such pigmentation that a little goes a long way. Expect that when you squeeze it out of the tube. It is best applied with a wet sponge in buffing motion. This with an undereye corrector and I don't even need a concealer. Darker circles would definitely need more work. The shade range was limited, so the one I got had neutral undertone which does flatter my skin. Moreover, the foundation does stay in place for over 5-6 hours. No breakouts or allergies with this. It was not exactly dewy finish, but a semi-matte one. The transferability was an issue, albeit a very minor one. Especially when I would use the touchscreen phone to take a call in sweaty conditions. Gross. Compact/Fixing powder sorted the problem for me though. It has a luxurious feel when applied, but not the same as Estee Lauder's cult favorite foundation. I was wary of the tube packaging, but you can control the amount that you dispense with it. I would however like to know how much foundation I have left - a task which is difficult to do with an opaque luxury tube. I intend to use it these summers and see if my experience changes. So far, it is one of the solid ones I have in my stash. Not my go-to yet, but let's see where it goes from here.<br />
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<b>RATING: <span style="font-size: large;">A-</span></b><br />
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<b>MAC STUDIO FIX FLUID SPF 15</b> has been featured in my Wedding Haul. The crazy load of makeup I hoarded. A lot of it was forgotten at the back of my makeup collection, but I did make good use of this one! I am still unsure of what my ACTUAL shade should be because anything between NC20-30 has been a good fit. Minor ups and downs, yes. Since I am more towards warm-neutral, I opted for the NC shade and to be on a safer side, picked NC25. I had my doubts about the foundation causing breakouts like several people complained. Thankfully, this and I clicked so well. This is the yellow-est foundation I own and that helps in the coverage. It's a medium-full coverage foundation with which a little goes a long way. You need a pea-sized amount with a sponge or fingers. I get better finish with a wet sponge or RT Face Expert brush. This is semi-matte, and transfers a little when I am used touchscreen in humid weather or wipe my face.<br />
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This has been particularly good to cover my dark circles. I use a peach corrector underneath my eyes and the pigmented areas on my face. I let it set a little in the skin and then apply MAC Studio Fix with a brush. Repeated sponge strokes sometimes disturbs the placement of the corrector. One downside to using a brush is the thicker coverage. That's not a biggie if you try to cover the face in smaller areas with minimal amount of the product. I am particularly impressed by how fresh and alive it keeps my face. One reason could be that it does not oxidize or slip away from my face. Transferring in humidity remains a challenge. For a new bride-to-be, this is definitely a dream to work onto your skin. It might not be THE best bet, but I do understand the hype behind this cult-favorite of MAC.<br />
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<b>RATING: <span style="font-size: large;">A+</span></b><br />
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<b>COVERGIRL OUTLAST 3-IN-1 FOUNDATION</b> is my makeup LOVE! I got it on a hunch from Beauty Hub over a year ago. My love for this one is well-documented in the favorites and beyond :-) Covergirl is not available in Pakistan, which is a bummer! The shade range for the product is extensive, so you might face issues in picking the best one for your skin color. If you browse online, you might get more confused with some people saying that this oxidizes, so better to pick a shade lighter than your skin and let it get normal over the period of time. I feel all foundations do get absorbed in your skin one to an extent. Ordering online is tricky, but I recommend trying Findation.com, read blogs for the comparable shade to your current (perfect) shade, and if you can ask on makeup/social groups if the users can guide you better. I used MAC NC reference to narrow down my search to 832. I have yet to try more shades to see if there is a better fit out there for me. Otherwise, I am perfectly happy with this complementing my skin tone!<br />
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I have applied this one in all seasons, with fingers, foundation brush, buffing brush, stipling brush, sponge, and a beauty blender. Gives me a flawless finish. Just minor differences might occur, but I find the slightly damp beauty blender working THE BEST! Even though it says 3-in-1, I have barely ever skipped concealer with it. The coverage is light-to-medium, but you can layer it up as per your desired coverage. I am particularly impressed with how weightless it felt, yet covered all my problem areas very well. It had an overall smoothing effect - not the lackluster flat matte. It does dry pretty quickly, so start working with smaller areas for an even tone and finish. When I say it dries out, it doesn't mean that this would give you a completely matte finish, but a soft-matte one which stays luminous in summers (on my oily skin) and a comfortably matte finish in Winters (I prep with a moisturizer underneath). It does not settle in pores mostly, but the days when my skin is acting out by making the pores mimic gaping craters, I opt in for pore-refining solution(s) or primers. A wise advice would be to pick a primer or base product that doesn't ball up. Tea Tree Pore Minimizer and Smashbox Primer (LIGHT) were nightmares to wear under the foundation :-/<br />
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So, does it transfer? Yes. By now, I believe all foundations do :-( *silent sob* Most of it could be my fault. I sweat profusely - if I hadn't grossed you out before, let me emphasize on this :-/ Anyhow, despite the issues of oily face in Summers, this foundation stays put for over 5-7 hours. If I layer it on lightly, the results are visible till 5 hours. In cases where the weather is pleasant and I put it on enough for a formal event, it stays fresh till 7 hours. However, I must commend that this one turns like your second skin - it will be flexible and cover your bumps/craters nicely too. I used it through my recovery from chicken pox and was satisfied with the lack of cakiness of this one :)<br />
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The question whether it oxidizes on me or not, it is harder to tell. It does not turn orange-brown any way but changes ever so slightly with time. Most of it could be absorption into your skin. All-in-all, it is a foundation I depend on and have used half a bottle - that says a lot about it since I am not an avid foundation user.<br />
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<b>RATING: <span style="font-size: large;">A+</span></b><br />
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<b>KRYOLAN TV PAINT STICK</b> can be the title of my poems and more! You might have seen them being used by parlors in a dingy street to a high-end MUA in Pakistan. For this to gain that level of praise and usage, it must be something great, right? Well, this is! It might not be the BEST makeup stick foundation, but pretty darn great, still! You can read summary of my experience with these in the 2015 Favorites post as well. I find FS45 best suited for NC20-25 while FS38 is suitable for NC30. I strongly recommend all of you to test the shades at a local counter before picking them up.<br />
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TV Paint Stick is a multipurpose product that you can use as a color corrector, foundation, concealer, contour stick and camouflage makeup. The range of shades is diverse, but we find relatively limited one here in Pakistan. It was previously deemed a professional-only product, but this has been a ladies favorite for long. I still shudder at the pre-party chaos at my Naano's when all ladies within the range of 15 to 55 would grab that one loner Paint Stick in God-Knows-What shade and then blend ferociously on our skins :P Believe me, when we entered at a place together, people would know by the streaks of foundation on our faces that we are one family - perhaps having some genetic pigmentation issues (God Forbid) :-D<br />
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Moving back to the performance, I have seen mixed reviews. While some vouch for these no matter what, others think it is too heavy for their skin and clogs the pores. I agree with both these statements. It is an excellent medium-to-full coverage foundation that looks nice in front of camera. For stage professionals, TV/Films, and Bridal scenarios, this is still the go-to product. Since it is a heavier product, direct and repeat application on your skin with improper cleansing will clog your pores and cause breakouts. You need right technique to blend it well in your skin. The trick is again to work in smaller patches. For full coverage, the traditional foundation brush is good. Otherwise, for lighter and even coverage, a wet sponge works. It does not control oil and is prone to slip from your skin, so setting it with powder is ESSENTIAL in Summers.<br />
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This doubles as my favorite facial and undereye concealer but if you want a fuss-free application, I recommend using a brusha and working in lighter layers. Pat slightly with ring finger. It creases and settles into fine lines around the eyes, but nothing a little dusting of compact won't solve. It lasts evenly on my skin beyond 5+ hours. It absorbs, slips and creases very much. Some also complain against this turning grey on them. That would only be due to two reasons - You're not using the right shade or your skin needs color correction first. We don't always have an even pigmentation on our facial skin - just like any other part of the body. What I'm saying might be an overkill, but you might need more than 1 sticks for yourself if you want to use this, yet experiencing issues.<br />
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TV Stick has competition by other local and international companies producing stick foundations. Handling this one is sometimes tougher when you don't have enough time or patience to work through the harder texture or face the lack of proper blendability. For those cases, it is best to revert to liquid/powder foundations or may be other sticks with softer texture (that can bear the heat and humidity though). This is one foundation I never wear overnight due to its heavier texture. You must also cleanse properly following its usage and make it something of a not-too-regular consumption. Many tag it as a party/formal foundation. It can be both, if you take care of your skin and use a layer of moisturizer/primer/serum between the skin and the product to save it from damage. Despite so many negatives that I highlighted, I am still a big fan of this. Cult-follower. If I objectively pit it against other foundations, it does have its shortcomings and a lower grade is simply due to that fact. I still love it to the moon and back<br />
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<b>RATING: <span style="font-size: large;">B+</span></b><br />
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Let me share the swatches that you can compare. Once I put them together, all foundations felt so different. For reference, I have tried swatching on the inner of my arm. All pictures below are not edited (color enhancement or filters) to show the true depiction of how colors look against my NC20-30 skin. You can see how they look in different lighting as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Direct Natural Light - No Flash</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Direct Natural Light - With Flash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvhwWvAm1sfi0f8Df4dHkhfOFcIUijfLjN6Y47Kc85gdHfeM3bQE0nM_wni9VP1KWFtq7hVy75DPkpKRbr4aCR2s7pqpqeZM55ibQBtQ_0wTKS32r_geE2Km3QXA4vfMKt-90ZtzWanA/s1600/DSCN1670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvhwWvAm1sfi0f8Df4dHkhfOFcIUijfLjN6Y47Kc85gdHfeM3bQE0nM_wni9VP1KWFtq7hVy75DPkpKRbr4aCR2s7pqpqeZM55ibQBtQ_0wTKS32r_geE2Km3QXA4vfMKt-90ZtzWanA/s1600/DSCN1670.jpg" height="272" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indirect Natural Light</td></tr>
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<i>Before I finish the foundations post, I'd take a moment to remember those who have gone - foundations sold off during a blog sale. Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation, Max Factor Face Finity 3-in-1, BeautyUK Matte Foundation - they were very all really good in performance, but I was either reaching out less for them or the shade selection wasn't too matchy-matchy. Had to say Adieus to them with a heavy heart though. Revlon Colorstay Whipped will definitely be coming back in my collection soon in the right shade <3 It is a must have for normal/combination skin beauties.</i><br />
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Let me know if you find this post helpful. Since I started this post, more foundations were added in my stash which I shall feature in a Part 2 of this after using them to form an opinion.<br />
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What are your foundation aspirations? Mine would be to try and own at least two more high end foundations from Chanel, NARS, Guerlain, Dior or Lancome!<br />
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If you use any of these, please do share your experience in the comments below for all of us to read!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Bia</div>
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The Beauty Findshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03985317159221621784noreply@blogger.com16