My MAC Temptation List

hi girls,

I went over to the only MAC outlet in Kolkata last weekend and was so freaking overwhelmed that I did not even remember the shades I wanted to check out. Didn't help that the SA wasn't warm. In fact, she seemed totally stressed about something! Maybe she was just having a bad day...

So, I decided to make a list of all the MAC goodies I wanna try out.

Foundation: I am NC40 and totally love my Studio Fix powder. But I do feel the need to have a liquid foundation on hand sometimes. Since I have burned my hands with all foundations but MAC, I want all my foundations from MAC only. Oh and before you think I am the dumbest beauty blogger who forgot this, lemme tell you that I am tanned so bad that I cannot even think of buying a foundation at this moment

Lipstick in Mocha: Ever since I saw Rati sport it in this post, I love this shade. Though lord knows I do not need another Brown / Nude in my stash! But look at the colour peeps, how could you not love it?

MAC Mocha Lipstick
Source: www.makeupandbeauty.com

MAC Mocha Swatch
Source: www.makeupandbeauty.com

Lipstick in Amorous: I love this shade because it sits in that perfect place between nude and bold. Its bright, but not too much. I saw this at Rashmi's blog and it was an instant love! I did swatch this at the store though and found it a tad dull for the coming summer months. What do you girls think?

MAC Amorous Lipstick
Source: www.makeupandbeauty.com

MAC Amorous Swatch
Source: www.makeupandbeauty.com

Lipstick in Craving: Zara totally deserves the credit for this! I swatched it in the store and it looked amazing :) The only reason I didn't pick it up was because I knew I was forgetting some shades. I later remembered Mocha :p

MAC Craving Lipstick
Source: www.wiseshe.com

MAC Craving Swatches
Source: www.wiseshe.com

Eyeshadow in Expensive Pink: Given that I wear eye shadow only on special occasions, this is a lovely shade for me. I think it will go with any Indian attire and I can simply use it as a wash over the lid and use a coloured liner to finish off! Again, I need to thank Rati for this gem. This was out of stock :(

MAC Expensive Pink Eyeshadow
Source: www.makeupandbeauty.com

MAC Lip Erase: A wonder product that erases the pigmentation and allows the real colour of the lippie to show thru? Sounds like the answer to my prayers!!

By now, all you guys must know I am a lippie gal.... I prefer my base to be of sound quality and long lasting. For colours, I quite like the drugstore products. But these lippies made to the list because they are quite unique (IMHO). I'd love to have these in my stash :)

So what makes to your MAC Lust List?

Lipgloss or Lipstick?

Lipglosses may be my flings, but Lipsticks will remain my true love forever!

Image Source: maybelline.co.in

Realised this after spending lotsa bucks on Maybelline Colorsensational gloss in Hooked on Pink (Yes, I have the lipstick too. No, I haven't tried the combo)

ImageSource: LakmeIndia.com

and Lakme Absolute gloss in Candy Shine, Elle 18 gloss in Melon Flame,

Image Source: lotusherbals.com

Lotus Seduction gloss in Lychee Sqaush (gave it away) and an Incolour Gloss.  Most of my glosses are unused. I had bought 4 tubes 4 years ago for my wedding. Gave them all away. Now, I am on a mission to finish up my glosses. So far, have only managed the Elle 18 one. Wish me luck!







Are you a lipstick girl? Or a Lipgloss Girl?

Review: Colorbar Velvet Matte Sultry Pink Lipstick

For the last two and a half years, I had reverted to wearing nude lips most of the time. When not wearing lippies like Oriflame Pure Colors Lipstick in Vintage Rose, I was wearing very light colors like Lotus Herbals Pure Colors Lipstick in Mod Mauve or my Nivea Starshine lipbalms. Around 8-9 months back, I realised the pattern had to be broken and began venturing into bolder colours. My journey is a story for another day. For now, I'll share my latest one with you guys. Ladies, I bring you the Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick in Sultry Pink. I'd gotten this back in November and had swatched it immediately for you guys. But after using it for the last two months, I can't get enough of it!

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Tube

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Colour in Tube

What Colorbar Says

For a rich lip colour with a creamy shine, the Velvett Matte Lipstick, available in 45 stunning shades infuse the lips with vibrancy. Its unique 2-in-1 formulation gives the lips a creamy, yet matte finish. A one of a kind product in India, it has super softening agents that give the lips a soft and supple appearance while keep them nourished with Vitamin E. Staying on up to 5 hours on application, the Velvett Matte Lipstick can be further accentuated with lip gloss and lip liner.

What I Think

Someone said the other day "Colorbar got it right with the Velvet Matte". I disagree. I don't think they got it right. They got it DAMN RIGHT! That's how awesome these lipsticks are. I have Bare and Sultry Pink and am totally berating myself for not getting one of these sooner. These are just brilliant!

In the lipstick world. we associate Matte with drying. For someone like me who has prune lips (thanks for the phrase Zara!), Matte lipsticks can be horrifying. But these are not drying at all. The lipstick is quite creamy and has a lovely finish. Even though this is a bold colour, it does not bleed at all. With a lipliner underneath, it does not settle into fine lines. Without one, it does after 3-4 hours. Its starts to fade after this time leaving a nice even tint. And guess what, it survives a full three course meal and coffee! I've tested that out too :) 

Sultry Pink is a bright berry pink with reddish undertones. Following Lisa Eldridge's advice, I wear it in three different ways. Check out the swatches to see what I mean!

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Swatch with Flash
(As Lipstain, Two Swipes & Single Swipe)

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Swatch without Flash
(As Lipstain, Two Swipes & Single Swipe)

1. Lipstain: A lovely warm berry lipstain that lasts all day and can be glammed by topping off with a gloss / lipbalm
2. Single Swipe: The low intensity colour makes for good office wear specially with a neutral outfit and or eyes. If you don't have time to do your makeup in the morning, just swipe this on and you wont need anything else
3. Two Swipes: It builds up to opaque brilliance in just two swipes. Looks fantastic and makes for great evening wear. But the best part is, it can even be worn when you want a glam look in the daytime! It is not over the top at all :)

What it Costs

At INR 225 for 4 gms, this is a steal!!

The Good

1. Great Pigmentation
2. Awesome lasting power
3. Non-Drying
4. Transfer resistant!

The Bad

1. Colorbar is not as easily available as its counterpart Indian brands, like Lakme
2. It has a synthetic smell that lasts a long time

The Ugly

Nothing is ugly about this one... its a beauty!

Final Rating

9/10

Beauty Tip - Reusing Unflattering Lipsticks

All you lipstick lovers out there, how many unflattering shades do you have? What do you do with them unflattering tubes of colour? Do you work at that relationship or just move on? I try some of these:

• Lipstain: Sometimes, the full on colour can be a bit too much. Specially so if the colour is bold and bright. Moisturise your lips with a balm, dab it lightly across lips and rub with your index finger. You could leave it at that or top with a clear gloss
• Layering Colours: I use this trick all the time. You'd be surprised how two unflattering colours together make a colour that you will love. Two negatives make a positive. No? Or use the unflattering colour beneath others to warm up, cool out, tone down and brighten other lipsticks
• Eyeshadow Base: Before you go screaming about it creasing, it won't crease if you use a primer. A soft wash of lip colour will work as a cream shadow!
• Blush Blush Blush: My all time favourite method! Lipsticks make the most perfect blush ever. The frosty ones make highlighters and matte ones make blushes and bronzers. 

What are your tricks? How do you make them work??

Review: Oriflame Pure Colours Lipstick in Vintage Rose

Back when I was on the lookout for the perfect nude lipstick, I came across this little beauty. And little it is! Oriflame Pure Colours is available in a smaller size (2.5 gm) for trial and I picked the two nude shades that the catalogue showed. One is Vintage Nude and the other is Vintage Rose. Today, let's talk about Vintage Rose

See how small it is compared to a standard lipbalm?

What Oriflame Claims
There is no product info on the site

What I Think

Without Flash

With Flash

The colour in tube comes across a soft pink and upon swatching you realise it is a warm, pink toned nude shade. It is quite sheer and glossy. You can see the swatches which are built up post 3 swipes.

The packaging is ok. Does not look cheap but not very elegant either. I wish the shade was easier to detect though. I have to squint my eyes and read the shade name on the small tube.

It has a pleasant sweet smell that lasts for a while post application. Nothing offensive, but not everyone likes their lippies to smell.

The lasting power could have been better. A lot better. This lasts for about two hours and vanishes without a trace :( It is non drying but not moisturising. If you wear a balm underneath, the pigmentation goes for a toss!

This was my goto lipstick when I first got this. Great for office wear and will match any outfit and look. My Mahogany has usurped it from crown position but I still love to get it out. It is excellent for air travel. Fits into the smallest of pockets and small enough to do a discreet touch up on your seat!

What It Costs
The 4 gm version costs INR 179 and the 2.5 gm one costs INR 99. But they are on offer very often and I picked mine for INR 59 only. These are good enough without the offer as well, but becomes a steal deal with discounts

The Good

1. The shade. It is an amazing warm nude shade that will suit just about everyone
2. You don't need a gloss with this
3. Quite economical

The Bad

1. It should have been more long lasting
2. Shade selection from catalogue is tricky. It looked nothing like this in the printed swatch

The Ugly
Availability is a big issue. It is available only thru Oriflame reps. Let's not count ebay here. I am not sure if they sell genuine or fake stuff! And even if you have a rep close by, the product may not feature in every month's catalogue.

Final Rating
7/10

Swatches: Colorbar Velvet Matte Sultry Pink

Hiya girls,

Zara had asked me for swatches of Colorbar Velvet Touch Sultry Pink lippie that I mentioned about. I have not had the time to do a full blown review so here are the swatches:

From Top: One Swipe, Centre: Three Swipes, Bottom: Lipstain

Review: Lotus Herbals Pure Color Lipstick in Mod Mauve

I am a major lipstick fan. I can go without anything but a lipcolour on my face. And since I favour lipsticks to glosses, I do collect them like crazy.

Lotus was always a skincare brand for me. I did not even know they were into makeup till I read some of the awesome reviews on beauty blogs. I had to give these a shot. I picked Mod Mauve from the Pure Colors range.

What Lotus Herbals Claims
Lotus Herbals website calls this Moisturising Lip Color.

What I Think
I differ on the moisture claim. I would call this a non drying lip colour. This is definitely not moisturizing. I do need a balm under this. That apart, I have no complaints with this little beauty. I am in love with this nudish mauve colour. What you see on the swatch is a single swipe. It can be build to a darker mauve with 2-3 swipes. It has a sheen that eliminates need for a gloss and can lasts for a good four hours on me. It fades evenly, without a tint.

Among all the Lotus lipsticks, I like the packaging of these the most. The pale gold tube with the lotus motif is quite nice in my opinion.

It has a sweet almond smell that I don't mind but others might. Think Rogan Badam Shirin! The smell lasts for quite a while after application.

What It Costs
These are available at counters for INR 245 a pop. Lotus counters are slowly making appearances in Big Bazaars, Pantaloons, Spencers etc. You can also checkout the local beauty stores. A few of them carry Lotus colours. If you can't find them close to your place, turn to the internet. Lotus is available on Healthkart, VioletBag, GoodLife etc. More often than not, there are discounts and vouchers available on these sites.

The Good

1. Pretty nude mauve colour that will suit a lot of skin tones from fair to dusky
2. Non drying
3. Decent lasting power of 4 hours
4. At INR 245, it is amongst the least cost lipsticks

The Bad

1. Not moisturizing
2. Not creamy and tends to harden a bit in cooler weathers
3. The packaging does not indicate the colour. You have to read the tiny label at the bottom if you have a few of them

The Ugly

Non of its cons make it to Ugly. Availability was one, before they were not so easily available on the internet

Final Rating

8/10

Why does my lipstick leave a white line?

I have observed that many drugstore lipsticks and lipbalms leave a line of yucky white stuff on prolonged wear. Any idea what can I do to prevent it?

My Diwali Outfit and Makeup

Hi peeps, how was your Diwali? Those of you who celebrated, I hope you had a blast. I sure did. There was last minute cleaning, a mini feast and a party to attend among the usual stuff. On top of that, I had to redo my sari twice. So, I had very little time for my makeup. Here is my Diwali outfit:

This is a burnt orange georgette sari with antique gold sequins in a honeycomb pattern all over. I kept rest of the bling minimal with a polki necklace and matching bangles. My FOTD was pretty simple as well.

Face:

• Lotus Whiteglow Micro Emulsion
• MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC 41
• Maybelline powder blush in Apricot Flush

Eyes:

• Glittery Copper colour from Maybelline Chai Latte quad all over the lid
• Colorbar i-glide in Cocobar on the upper lash line
• Lakme Black Satin kajal on lower lash line

Lips:

• Lotus Herbals Pure Colours lipstick in Peach Creme as a base
• MAC Twig lipstick

The last time I used Twig, camera flash brought out pink undertones very prominently. This time, I wanted it to retain the earthy colour in pictures as well. So, I added a coat of Peach Creme as base. Do you think it worked?

Random Ramblings and MACness

I am drawn to black these days. Black the colour. Specially when it comes to clothes. I realised that 4 of the 8 tops I took on a recent trip were black. And then I picked out a new black shirt. All without realizing it. Maybe I am going thru the fat girl syndrome. I just made that up. I am not aware of such a syndrome actually exists. So yes, I  acutely aware of all the unfitting clothes in my closet and dressing up every morning throws me into five minutes of depression. Just give minutes? Yeah, that's all I have time for. My day flies and every night I have the feeling of having spent hours and not achieved anything. There is so much I want to do, there is so little I manage. Can you believe the frustration? 


Anyway, on the plus side, I bought some gorgeous stuff! Mac studio fix powder foundation in NC41. I know now why it was called a must have on beauty blogs. It gives such a flawless finish!! My Singapore pics show such fresh skin when the bare skin was anything but. It was dull and patchy. Thanks to the lovely MUA Gayathri at Koramangla in Bangalore who picked this out for me. My only grouse is that it oxidised on me after about an hour in the sun. All foundations do that on me. I expected this one not to. And she sold me fix+. I am so glad she did. I love the dewiness it imparts. 


The other thing that was not on my agenda was a lip pencil. My fist mac eye product was Siahi. The first lip peoduct was going to be Cosmo. I had never in my wild dreams imagined I would pick a lip pencil. But makeup Gods had other plans for me. And I am so glad they did. I love love love the pencil in Spice. Near perfect match for my lips and can be worn under the sheerest of lippies without any worry. It's beautiful on it's own or topped with a gloss / balm. And so hydrating! 


Then, I went on this big trip and picked Twig and Cosmo at the airport duty free. I got them for 800 bucks! That's why I got two. Yipeedoo!!!