Eyeshadow
Makeup Revolution London Eyeshadow Palette in I Heart Chocolate - Review, Swatches
December 11, 2015
"Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
If you have seen Toms Hanks' 'Forrest Gump', you know what I am talking about. By the way, it also happens to be Mr. B's favourite film; a point on which we have argued many a times. Though I do like a few scenes here and there, I have not yet been able to see the brilliance in this film. I do like Tom Hanks of course. I like 'Castaway', 'The Green Mile', 'Larry Crowne, 'Saving Mr. Banks' among others.
Anyway, I took the longest time deciding on an eyeshadow palette in my life before I actually zeroed down to this box of chocolates, I mean, palette. This is supposed to be the dupe of the famous Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette (which I do not own and therefore cannot compare). Now let us jump to the review...
A while ago, Za launched this Perfect Solution Youth Whitening Serum in India amidst a lot of hype, claiming it to be a high-performance anti-ageing and whitening skincare product. The reviews were mostly positive over the internet. So I skipped, hopped and went to my laptop, and ordered one for myself.
Now if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you would be aware that I discontinued using it after a few days. But..... I eventually got around to using it a second time. And here is my experience....
Biotique
HAUL - Kryolan, The Body Shop, Loreal, Imli Street, Lotus, Biotique, Khadi
November 13, 2015
I am sure you will all agree when I say that haul posts are an extension of retail therapy. Speaking for myself, I usually do not buy a lot of stuff together because I think... quite a bit.... before getting something. And that applies to any shopping that I do, be it clothes, jewellery, anything. Even this is a collective haul only!
As promised, here is Part 2. You can read Part 1 here (in case you missed it) where we covered Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace in Srirangapatna, the Mysore Palace Illumination, the beautiful Mysore Zoo and the decorated city in general.
Let me now tell you about the other places and events that take place in Mysore, around the time of Dussehra.
Let me now tell you about the other places and events that take place in Mysore, around the time of Dussehra.
You did not think that we were done with lip crayons, now did you?!!! Good, because it seems we have one more new crayon-kiddo entering the beauty scene in India, from the Faces brand this time. Now Faces has launched these beauties in 2 finishes - Matte, and Starry Matte ('with a touch of glitter') as per the brand. I am reviewing the Matte version here.
I have used the Faces Ultime Pro Long wear Matte lipsticks in the past and find them to have the best matte formula along with the Lakme Absolute Crème range. With the same hope, I picked up this product too. Okay, time to find out now...
Time flies.... Five years back, we had gone to Mysore a week before Dussehra. The entire city was so alive and vibrant that we promised to return here every year around the same time. While planning for this trip, we happened to go through our previous trip pictures and realized that it had been 5 long years since our last visit!! No particular reason except that time just flew and we didn't even realize...
Coming to this trip, it was a road trip just like the previous one. Having your own car at your disposal also means that you get to explore the city at your own pace. The distance between Bangalore and Mysore is around 145-150kms and takes approximately 3 hours. There are hotels, restaurants and cafes catering to all budgets, along the way. So you need not actually carry anything except water, fruits, and some nice music. The roads are smooth and nice too.
I had completely switched to body washes and shower gels. And I never thought I would use soap again. But then a few years ago, I went back to using them - the handmade/natural kind - all over again, simply for their ease of use. And now, I alternate and use both soap and body wash.
Especially with all the handmade and natural bathing bars that have entered the Indian market, we now have such a huge, tempting variety to choose from. Also, you cannot deny that a soap in your shower routine helps save a lot of time when you are running on a busy schedule. Let us see how these bathing bars fare...
Let me start this post by wishing the hard-working Fab Bag team a very 'Happy Anniversary', for surviving all odds, for embracing both bouquets and brickbats, for coming up with innovative ideas; in short, for not giving up and working towards improving themselves with every single month, since they started off 3 years back.
You have to admit that irrespective of whether you have/have not liked the products in your fab bag, the Fab Bag team has always given you worth for your money and more. The fact that you end up not liking some products is due to the surprise factor which you are already aware of, while booking your bag. For the same reason, I stopped subscribing to them a while ago and now do so only when a particular fab bag excites me. But whatever you get, is always your money's worth or more; you cannot deny that!
I never thought I would click a selfie in my entire life. I am a self-conscious person and the camera is not exactly my best friend. Posing for pictures is definitely not my forte.
Anyway, this is my very first FOTD on the blog. If you have been reading my blog from before, you would know that I have never posted lip swatches or face pictures ever. I was just not comfortable doing it on the blog. But as they say - Never say NEVER. Moreover, a blogger with no face is hardly an appealing entity in the virtual world. So here I am, slowly getting the hang of a beauty blogger :)
Keep Reading...
When I was not yet born and 'comzily' (as Junior says) living inside my mother, she heard that having saffron or kumkumadi would lighten the soon-to-be-born's complexion. You see, my mom is fair while my dad is a dark, handsome man. Anyway, she soon started this practice of having kumkumadi in milk each day. In this process, to cut a long story short, my mom's skin tone definitely improved while I came out in this world in exactly the skin tone God had planned for me.
Jokes apart, my mom loves me very much just the way I am. And I never faced any issues in life for the same. That said, there is something so beautiful about having an even skin tone. It does not matter if you are fair, medium or dark; but an even skin tone and healthy skin is what you must try to achieve. While a good lifestyle and a healthy diet is of utmost importance, let us see if this product has any contribution to good skin...
absolute
Lakme Absolute Lip Pout Matte Lip Tint in Magenta Magic - Review|Swatch|Lotd
September 19, 2015
Lakme's Lip Pouts or Matte Lip Tints.... call them whatever you want.... but they sure have some really vibrant lip colors in the range that are true-blue mattes. They are instant mood-lifters and can make you look alive even when you are feeling dull and dead. I have already reviewed the Raving Red on the blog and today I am reviewing another gorgeous color, 'Magenta Magic'....
If you follow me on Facebook, you already know that I was in Kerala to attend my cousin's wedding. Well, that ended up hilarious and very eventful, thanks to my dad and 2 uncles. Also, a lady at the wedding asked me if and what I was studying (FYI....I am married and also have a 7-year-old son :)). Before I could even absorb that good feeling, a horrid grandmother and cousin's wife broke her misconception almost immediately to my utter disappointment, by blurting out the truth. Hmph... Well, that did not stop me from repeatedly narrating this incident to a very uninterested husband and amused mother.
Coming to the mask, this is the second sheet mask I am trying from Skin18. The first one was from Mirum and the one I am reviewing in this post is from Four Season. Let us dig into the review....
absolute
Lakme Absolute Lip Pout Matte Lip Tint in Raving Red - Review|Swatch|Lotd
September 08, 2015
Looks like the chubby crayon trend is here to stay! I remember when I was in college, my mom and me would go these little 'fancy stores' where they would have a variety of beauty and makeup stuff. Being not that brand-conscious those days, I would find these stick-type lipsticks in some corner of the shop belonging to some unknown, imported brand. My mom herself loves cosmetics and would buy them from me. And they actually used to turn out good and stay long enough. They were not as chubby as the ones now, though.
By the way, Lakme calls this a 'lip pout' in their official press release. But I did not find any such 'pout' written on the packaging anywhere. It just says 'Lip Tint Matte'. Am I missing something?? Anyway, I have both the words in the review title to avoid confusion.
Sheet masks are an excellent way of pampering your skin. They are easy to carry, easy to use, and do not need to be washed off. With these, you literally have no excuse for neglecting your skin. A lazy lady's best friend and a busy traveller's best companion. Just put it on, wait for some time, and remove. It is your shortcut to great-looking skin! Let's see if this one meets the mark....
beauty
{CLOSED} Indian Beauty Cafe's 2nd Giveaway - Win the Anniversary Special September 2015 Fab Bag
September 06, 2015
And the LUCKY WINNER IS........
DIVYA ASHA
Congratulations Divya! You have won the September Anniversary Edition Fab Bag!
Thank you everyone for participating! Those who did not win this time, please do not be disheartened. There will be more giveaways in the future :)
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Hello everyone...
Indian Beauty Cafe is back with another giveaway!!!
But first, I wish to thank you all for your active participation in the last giveaway. So, thank you :)
The September Fab Bag looked so interesting that I ordered one for myself and one for my lovely blog readers. So there will be one lucky winner who will get the Anniversary Special September Fab Bag. This is NOT a sponsored giveaway. I have paid for the fab bag and will be personally sending it across to the winner.
This is what the LUCKY WINNER will get:
To participate in the giveaway and win this shimmery anniversary bag, please follow the rules mentioned in the Rafflecopter form attached below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
That's it. Looking forward to your active participation in making this giveaway a success. Share the good word and Wish you all the very Best!!! :)
The September Fab Bag looked so interesting that I ordered one for myself and one for my lovely blog readers. So there will be one lucky winner who will get the Anniversary Special September Fab Bag. This is NOT a sponsored giveaway. I have paid for the fab bag and will be personally sending it across to the winner.
This is what the LUCKY WINNER will get:
- Makeup Revolution London Concealer
- The Balm Lip and Cheek Stain
- Just Herbs Beauty Elixir Facial Serum
- Kama Ayurveda Pure Rose Water Facial Spray
- 2 vials of Skinn Titan EDP - 'Celeste' and 'Raw'
- And the shimmering red Fab Bag
To participate in the giveaway and win this shimmery anniversary bag, please follow the rules mentioned in the Rafflecopter form attached below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Please Note:
- The giveaway is effective immediately and ends on 7th October 2015
- Winner would be announced on 9th October, 2015 after the verification process is over
- ONE winner will be chosen based on participation and announced on our Twitter, Facebook and the blog comments section on 9th October, 2015. Once we receive response on twitter/facebook/blog, we will request the winner to share their contact details. In case of no response within 48 hours, we will pick a new winner
- Multiple entries are allowed, but not more than one per day
- Make sure to follow ALL the mandatory steps. Extra entries will not guarantee but will definitely increase your chances of winning
- This giveaway is open for Indian residents above 18 years of age only with a valid Indian postal address
- We will pack the prize with utmost care and send it to you, but will not be held responsible for any damage during transit and thereafter
- This blog post will serve as the reference point for all information related to the September Fab Bag Giveaway. Please read it carefully. Only those issues which are not addressed in this post, will be entertained.
- Checking and completing the entries is your responsibility. Please do not expect us to do so; it is practically impossible :)
That's it. Looking forward to your active participation in making this giveaway a success. Share the good word and Wish you all the very Best!!! :)
I am a matte-lip person and usually get attracted to them, like bees to honey. This lipstick belongs to the Office Stylist range of Lakme's 9 to 5 lipsticks. That means, all the colors are office-appropriate, subtle and wearable. If you do not like bold, deep, dark colors, then this range is perfect for you. Let us find out more about this particular lipstick for now...
There is one thing common with most Olay products and that is quality. I have mainly used the Total Effects range but still.... I always start with 'not-interested' and end with 'impressed' (read here). Let us find out if this face wash was any different from my opinion about Olay products...
Featured in Elle magazine's monsoon picks, the Perfect Match primer is also one of Colorbar's all-time bestsellers. A while ago in India, makeup primers were a rarity. But now the scenario is changing and we have various brands launching them in the Indian market. Most of these brands are international but atleast we now have access to them. In the midst of all this, we have primer by an Indian brand. How does it fare? Let us find out...
Have you used the Biotique Honey Gel face wash that used to come in a bottle? I have used and repurchased that one countless number of times because I obviously loved it! Did I tell you that even though I hate honey in foodstuff, I absolutely enjoy it in skincare? Strange, but true!
So when Biotique introduced this tube one, I was not sure if it was exactly the same. But one fine day, when my bottle got over and I could not find a new one in any store,;I had to get this, consoling myself that it was the same product in new packaging. So, was it the same or did I find it different. Let us see....
Kumkumadi has been a rage in recent times - over the blogging world, to be specific. I remember when I was in college, my mother got me a few horrible-looking bottles of Kottakkal Kumkumadi Thailam from Kerala (for those interested: Kerala-native, Bombay-born and brought up, Bangalore-currently settled). She mentioned that it was expensive which actually meant that I was supposed to use it.
And I did use it... for a few days! And then I stopped! Obviously, I never told my mother! At that age, I guess I was not interested so much in skin care as I was in makeup. Cut to the present - I myself went and got the same old horrible-looking Kotakkal Kumkumadi Thailam. I had actually been using it too and it was almost over when I got this pretty Iraya Kumkumadi Facial Oil...
Has it ever happened to you that you order a product only to realize when it reaches home that you already have an extra bottle stocked up. Yes, it happened to me with not just one but two products, both from Biotique. One was the Biotique Bio Almond Oil Soothing Face and Eye Makeup Cleanser and the other is this sunscreen being reviewed here. And..... inspite of this mistake, I was least worried. Yes, because these are my beauty staples! I keep repurchasing them anyway; so having a bottle extra, hardly bothers me. You might have guessed already......... I love them both!!!
It is really difficult to find natural and effective makeup products. So atleast when it comes to skincare, I try my best to stick to natural products. Though I do pick up stuff with chemicals too since it cannot be completely avoided nowadays, a natural and chemical-free ingredient list definitely attracts me like nothing else can. And if you are like me, you are going to love this cute and chubby lip-balm from Iraya...
002
Rimmel London Exaggerate EyeLiner in 'Absolute Brown' (002) - Review, Swatch, Eotd
July 22, 2015
You know, "Never say NEVER" is so so true!
Many many moons ago, all I had and knew to use were liquid eyeliners. So when the pencil liners came to India, I stuck to my faithful liquid liners, pretty sure I would never use the pencils ever.
Cut to the present, and all I have with me now are pencil eyeliners except for this Rimmel one and another from Maybelline. I thought I had almost forgotten to apply a liquid liner. So you never know....
Hello everyone...
I am back with some FAB NEWS!!!
As promised, I am here with Indian Beauty Cafe's very first giveaway. There was a delay as the initial product I had finalised and ordered for this giveaway, never saw the light of day thanks to a horrid website.
So I had to find another one soon and what could be better than the trusted, proven Fab Bag - to say 'thank you' to all my lovely followers for being there and reading Indian Beauty Café, and also to encourage new readers.
What you will find inside the July Fab Bag:
- Makeup and Beauty Products worth RS. 3000!
- Bella Pierre Cosmetics full-size Mineral Lipstick worth Rs. 1500
- Sugar Cosmetics full-size Eye Liner/Pencil
- Vana Luxury Body Shimmer
- Ayorma Fairness Face Wash
- Ayorma Fairness Scrub
- And of course, the glamorous, golden clutch-type bag!
One lucky winner will get the glamorous 'Red Carpet' July Fab Bag. To participate in the giveaway and win this fabulous bag, please complete the steps mentioned in the Rafflecopter form attached below.
Please Note:
- The giveaway is effective immediately and ends on 17th August 2015
- Winner would be announced on 20th August, 2015 after the verification process is over.
- ONE winner will be chosen based on participation and announced on our Twitter, Facebook and the blog comments section on 20th August, 2015. Once we receive response on twitter/facebook/blog, we will request the winner to share their contact details. In case of no response within 48 hours, we will pick a new winner
- Multiple entries are allowed, but not more than one per day.
- Make sure to follow ALL the mandatory steps. However, extra entries will increase your chances of winning:)
- This giveaway is open for Indian residents above 18 years of age only
That's it. Looking forward to your active participation in making this giveaway a success. Wish you all the very best!!! :)
Luxurious Ayurveda.... I first heard this term when I came across the Forest Essentials brand some years ago. Back in my native, Kerala, Ayurveda is pretty much known and can be afforded by almost anybody. So I got all the more curious to try this brand. And it happened. One fine day, I paid the price of luxury and got home the Forest Essentials Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir. Read on to know if it was worth it...
colorsensational
Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Polish in 'Glam 6' - Review, Swatch, LOTD
July 08, 2015
I have been a matte lipstick person for ever since I can remember. They conveniently hide lip pigmentation and last longer which makes them a reliable pick, and me a loyal fan. So when these lip polishes started doing the rounds in the blog community, I waited for some time for the final verdict, more so because these were glossy. But eventually reading all the rave reviews, I got it.
Let us find out if I ended up liking this lip polish or not...
When Za launched in India and all were raving about it all over the blogosphere, I did a quick research and trotted to my friendly neighbourhood mall. I was very clear - pick up the True White Essence since it claimed to be a lotion+essence+emulsion. Once at the store, the sales girl informed me that there was no product such as an essence in their range and I... I came home with this Za True White Emulsion instead.
So what did the Emulsion do? Let us find out...
You know, I really dislike going to these three places - the doctor's, the tailor's and the salon. Doctors cannot be avoided since almost everyone falls sick every now and then. Pret-a-porter or ready-to-wear clothes help me stay away from tailors. It was only the salon that I could not avoid. I was even contemplating threading on my own and got the thread and all. Well, it has been half a year.... okay, maybe 1 year...since I got it, but the important thing is that I did plan to try it before the Apolycalypse.
So when Braun launched the Braun Face, I was like the most happiest girl in the world. Because if it worked properly, it would mean the end of salon visits atleast for regular threading. So was it the answer to my prayers??? Let me tell you more...
Whoever said Yellow Yellow, Dirty Fellow was clearly a pessimist. How could you??
As for me, I usually do not pick up a product for attractive packaging. But on an unplanned visit to a new Reliance Market, this cheery, jolly-looking lemony tube managed to divert my attention and came home with me.
This is my first product from the Joy brand. I am on eye drops currently which blur my vision a bit; so I did not look for the ingredient list at that time. Back home, I realized that it does not have a list. I picked up the smallest size to try out and apparently, only the bigger sized tubes have the ingredient list. Hmmm....
Moving on with the review...
apocalips
Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in 'Galaxy' (301) - Review, Swatch, LOTD
June 28, 2015
Neither a lipstick nor a gloss, but bigger than both! Stating that it was the end of colour, Rimmel London launched the Apocalips lip lacquers in 13 different shades.
Based on online swatches, I picked up one of the darker shades, Galaxy, but it turned out to be a pretty mauve-y pink colour on me, not dark but still very flattering. Bigger than a lipstick and gloss? No! But definitely different than both. Why? Read on...
So you have a party to attend. You prep, prime and apply makeup on your face, do your hair and wear that gorgeous outfit, and accessories. You step out of your home as Cinderella but reach the venue as....wait..... the Joker in Batman?? Whyy, what happenedd??? Well, maybe... you did not use a good makeup fixing spray!
A makeup fixing/setting spray is supposed to be the last step in your makeup routine. It sets your makeup and keeps it in place fresh and longer by creating an invisible layer/barrier on your face. This is my second product from the Makeup Revolution London brand (first one was the serum-and-primer reviewed here). I have never used a makeup fixing/setting spray before. So when I saw this product, curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up right away. Read on to know if this proved to be a good choice...
Summer is slowly disappearing here in Bangalore with occasional rain and cloudy days taking its place. But you know how summer can zap your energy and leave you tired and worn out. These are the times when even a glass of chilled water seems like the most delicious drink in the whole world. So also, a spritz of heavenly-smelling mist holds the power to lift up your spirit, and refresh your body and mind like nothing else can.
Iraya has two body mists, the Himalayan Floral (the one being reviewed), and the Pomegranate and Mint one. But before reading the review, let us see what a body mist is? A body mist is supposed to be light, subtle, airy and fresh unlike a perfume that tends to be more heavy. It should ideally be used right after a shower-and-towel-dry as the open pores retain the scent longer. So how does the Iraya body mist fare? Let us find out...
Makeup Revolution London
Review, Swatch - Makeup Revolution London Defence Anti Bacterial Serum and Primer
June 12, 2015
Let us play a word-association game...
You say, Makeup Revolution London...
I say..... Quality and Affordability!!!
Well, those are two words that strike me when I think of this particular brand after using 3 MUR products.
Other than their already existing makeup range, Makeup Revolution London has now brought out their very own skincare range. As of now, there are only 2 products, I think.
Attack: Anti Bacterial Face Wash
Defence: Anti Bacterial Serum and Primer (the product being reviewed)
So... is it a serum? Or a primer? Or both? Let us find out...
When the whole maddening crowd heads to the hills and cooler climes, the few sane ones, like us, hit the sunny beaches. Orrr..... that is atleast what you do when your work-obsessed husband (who thinks his company would shut down or go bankrupt without him) forgets to plan a holiday trip in advance.
Mr. B decided looong back that he would keep all holiday destinations, travel-related details and discussions far, far away from me. Reason being, I plan way too much and shop likewise too, before each trip.
According to him, I have a 'What-If' bag 'hidden' somewhere along with my regular baggage, that contains things I would need in case there is an earthquake, volcanic eruption, tsunami, flood, or when a prehistoric dinosaur chases us to a treetop. For all these reasons, he keeps a watchful eye on my packing and planning!!!
Let us start with the trip now......
Hello Everyone...
It has been some time since I last blogged and interacted with you, my lovely readers. What started as a small break ended up as a long hibernation and I am really sorry for that.
When I started 'Indian Beauty Cafe', I never wanted to tell anyone I know, about my blog. Mr. B was greatly confused as to why anyone would start a blog and be secretive about it. However, I had my own reasons - I wanted to know if anyone would read what I write. I wanted to know the response I would get, if any.
Soon after, readers appreciated and acknowledged my work. And it felt really good. I saw giveaways happening on other blogs but did not hold any on mine for 2 reasons - one, I had no idea how to go about it and it seemed like a daunting task; two, I still wanted to ensure that my readers were following me for my work and not some fancy prize.
I was and am still happy with whatever Indian Beauty Café has achieved so far with whatever little body of work I have done.
However, just like a good film has to 'reach' its audience and needs to be promoted to do so; I realized - so does my blog. Indian Beauty Café has to reach a wider audience.
A big thank you to all the existing readers whose support I received in different ways. You have been great.
I now look forward to expand my readership following and reach out to many more readers like you, who will show their support and love for this blog as each of you already have.
I am planning to hold a giveaway soon and hope to get your support for the same.
Meanwhile, Junior has grown up a bit and is now 7 1/2 years old. He is a bit more sensible now. I am not sure whether I am happy or sad that his stupidities are coming down. So that means, I may not write about the Just for Laughs section anymore. I know a lot of you really enjoyed reading it, but let's see how it goes.
That is all for now. Keep reading Indian Beauty Café. And hope to see you more often :)