A Mini haul post: Lippies from Lise Watier Sale

Lise Watier had a great sale last month and I discovered that, Thanks to Twitter! I have never tried anything from this brand before and how best to start than by trying out their lippies :)

So here are the stuff I got..

 

The Blush was a gift and a most pleasant surprise - I love the shade. Thank you Lise Watier!

How cute is that packaging!!!

I just cant stop looking at that lip gloss packaging...so pretty!!!

These colors are superb for Spring - Summer; so all excited, Yayy!!!

Spring Colors: Avon Extra Lasting Lipsticks in shade Mauve Ice and Lasting Cherry

Spring for me means nice pretty colors everywhere and that = Shades of Pink and Coral :) Out with all the dark shades of winter and in with all the colors that can be called 'cute'.

I am reviewing 2 shades from Avon's Extra Lasting lipstick range - one is from their Perfect wear collection. I dont really see much difference in the product, so here it goes.



Avon's website says: "24-hour comfortable wear! Formulated with Colorlock Complex – locks on color. High-definition color infused with vitamin E and wheat protein. Keeps lips from feeling dry for 24 hours." 

Ahem...Avon dearest, I know you make some good lipsticks, I know you wanna try and stay on top but isn't this a lil tooo outrageous? Are you expecting me to believe that you actually found some poor lady to try and test this lipstick for 24hour stay? Come on, we consumers may not be rock scientists, but we do have some sense you know!




Anyways I am leaving out nonsensical claims and sticking to what Avon is really trying to say i.e. this is a long wearing lipstick that wont dry you lips.

My Experience

Mauve Ice is actually not a mauvish shade; it is a pinkish shade with blue under tones that if worn in full intensity, would better suit ladies with cooler skin tones.  Lasting Cherry is a coral red shade that can appear more pinkish on non-pigmented lips but more reddish on pigmented lips. Both are fairly universal shades. Both lipsticks are very pigmented and can easily be applied with full intensity in 2 swipes. On lips, it gives a Satin finish; it does stain the lips and does not have any strong scent or taste.



Okay, 1st of all, this ain't very long wearing. Not unless you are on a diet and has sworn not to eat anything heavy. Since this lipstick doesn't transfer drinking doesn't affect it but the best wear-time I got with some normal soup-salad intake is 3-4 hours. Which is wayyyyy less than the 24hr claim made by Avon. May be the newer product has better lasting power, but still I don't expect much difference. To be honest, unless it is a tint, I don't really trust or want lipsticks that stay that long on lips - imagine the kind of harsh chemicals that would be used to get such strong color!

Also this has shimmer- not very evident or harsh but if you hate shimmer then this is not for you.



I have got the Bad out, I am going to talk about the Good.  Both the lipsticks moisturizes lips very well. Unless you have very dry lips, or its really harsh weather outside, you dont need lip balms. 

Now here is the deal - these lipsticks work really well over lip balms. Sometimes, lipsticks especially ones as creamy or as pigmented as these lipsticks are, dont go well over lip balms. But these ones do! The only thing is, wearing a lip balms slightly sheers out the color and gives a more lip butter effect.

How I wear this:  For such pigmented shades, I don't usually apply them directly from the tube, unless I am going for the fullest intensity. I use a concealer brush to build the color.

For Spring and summer, I prefer to wear this with a lip balm under neath to make it slightly sheer; I also apply a peachy lip gloss to add a hint of freshness to the shades.

Overall: These are pretty nice lipsticks; not must haves but if you like highly pigmented non-drying satin finish lipsticks that don't hurt your pocket, give this range a try.

Price from Avon website is $12 CAD but Avon always has some sales or other.

Puffy eyes? Here's something I found.. Yves Rocher Soothing Decongesting Eye Care [sample]

I love receiving samples, but reviewing a product based on a sample good only for 2-3 uses is not something I do, unless the effect is that good or that bad. However, in reviewing this product, I used 2 samples from which I got 8-9 uses, so just know I am not kidding about this review.

Thanks to my naturally oily skin, I don't have many under eye lines or may be it is cos I don't care much about 'em. I have teeny tiny eyes, so my biggest headache is the puffy bags that make them even smaller. It also makes me look very tired - which is very useful when your boss is coming around to check how you work-but in general not a look you want! I have tried aloe patches,some massage techniques that made a slight difference, tea bags etc to reduce the puffiness, but so far all the eye creams that I used didn't do a thing for puffiness.


So when I got this sample along with some purchase I made from Yves Rocher, I was pretty skeptical and didn't actually think much about it. But 2 weeks back, when I woke up after a sleepless night , my puffy bags my eyes looked bigger than my eyes. Since I'd an important meeting in the morning, I was searching desperately for something that would make me look less like a drug addict ; I saw this sample and applied it under my eyes with some light tapping motion.

After reaching office [around 35mins],  I immediately ran to the ladies room to check my makeup and was surprised to notice that my eyes were back to their normal state! The puffiness was completely gone. I almost kissed the sample sachet!


I tested this over the last 2 weeks and I must say - this works, this really works! The cream is light and absorbs easily; no scent, no irritation and it hydrates very well too. Overall, muy impresionado. :) :) 

This product is available in full size 15ml for $24 CAD in Yves Rocher website.

Eclos Plant Stem Cells Age Defying Regimen - Trial Kit

I like Freeman's Pineapple Enzyme mask and I have read some great reviews about their Eclos skin care range. So when I found this trial kit on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart, I picked it immediately.

I am all for getting a set of products in a line that work together - that way its easier to know how effective each product is. Usually when you buy a skin care product, in the label, it'd say - use this with so-n-so to be more effective; this way, it is easier to know how effective each item was without the hassle of buying full size products.



Eclos is part of Freeman Beauty Labs; Freeman beauty products are available in Toronto from Walmart and Eclos range is available through Shoppers Drug Mart. This kit costs around $25 CAD; it also includes a head wrap which I have not included in the photos [I lost it :( ]



This kit has 6 products; each product had a good amount in it for at least 10-15 uses. Here we go...

Prima Donna[s] or the Ones that moved my heart

The stars of the collection are the Face Serum and the Face cream. I used the combo morning and night; both are absorbed easily into the skin [mine is normal to oily; dry skin would drink this]. On application, I immediately noticed my skin getting smoother.

Since I tested this kit in winter when my face had some signs of aging like lines around my mouth, dry patches and slight sagging of skin around eyes & cheek, I was able to check how effective this was. I must say - I am impressed. The next day, when I woke up, the difference in my skin tone was so noticeable.  Most of the dry patches were gone, my skin looked firmer; within 2-3 days all the lines around my mouth were also gone.

I also used the serum as a makeup primer and it worked beautifully. I have tried the face cream alone for a day or 2 and the difference I noticed was, my skin didnt feel as smooth as it felt with the serum.

Overall - I loved it and if I find the full size versions [which I cant find now in Shoppers near me] I will buy it.


Seconda Donnas or the Okay-dokey ones

Into this group falls all the rest. None of the products performed badly.
The mask was okay, did a good job but was nothing spectacular.

The scrub is good for sensitive skins as it is a soft scrub without compromising on the exfoliation part. Again, good but nothing outstanding.

The eye cream - to be honest, I dont know since I dont have many lines under my eyes. My under eye problem is bagginess for which I have found a great product which I will be reviewing soon. So, may be this works, may be it doesn't - I don't want to say something just for the sake of review. It provided a decent hydration -that's the best I can say.

Cleanser - another so-so product. It is nice, it did the job but since I use baby wipes now for most of my cleansing routines, I didn't notice anything spectacular in this.




Overall - For the price, this is a must-buy kit in my opinion. At least try the serum - it is great! I wish Freeman Beauty had an online store in Canada, their shipping options from US is pretty expensive!

Makeup Artist Brands & Products: Kryolan Lipstick Fashion in shade LF 198

Kryolan is a Germany-based professional makeup company founded in 1945; I know they have some outlets in India  and in Canada, I think it is available from Pro-Makeup stores like kwmagic.com. I got this lipstick from Kryolan store in Chennai - they have a great range of colors in different finishes.



I was on a coral kick at that time and I prefer a matte or glossy finish - so I picked up this shade 198 from their Fashion range.



Price: INR 250 for 4gms.

My Experience:

I know that most professional makeup products suck big time when it comes to package design - yet to see something that looks pretty from outside - but I feel that compared to the silvery greyish Super Dull casing of these lipsticks,the plain black casing would be infinitely preferable. The best you can say is, it is functional.



The lipstick is very creamy and superbly pigmented. The swatch I have added below is just one swipe of the product. It gives full coverage in 1-2 swipes even on my pigmented lips. There is no significant taste, no strong scent [a mild chemical one] and no irritation on lips.



LF 198 is a coral shade, that appears orange-y coral on a pure white surface and on my purplish pigmented lips, it comes off as a pinkish coral shade. This is a great shade for Spring -Summer and can easily be worn more sheerer to come off as a beautiful nude or MLBB shade.



I have not really tested the staying power of these lipsticks but the few times I have worn it, it has easily lasted for around 2-3 hours [ nothing can outlive Indian food so, I rarely get to test lip colors for more than 3-4 hours continuously]

Did you get a hint that there is a BUT on the way? Well, here it is .. the reason why I don't use this daily -  this lipstick feels heavy on lips even on a single swipe and the texture feels uncomfortable. I dont blame this lipstick;  all these lightweight lip-butters and lip crayons have affected me badly & made me intolerant of anything heavy on my lips.



If you, like me, prefer light weight lip colors and yet has found a superbly pigmented lip color like this one to wear, then here is my suggestion to get the color without the heaviness:

- Apply the lip color with a brush; this gives control over the amount of color you want on your lips. Use a concealer brush for better application, I have no patience with the tin lip brushes.



-Use the flat side of the brush to lightly tap on your lips to make it slightly plumper and get the tint better

- Blot the color with a napkin, till the amount left feels comfortable on your lips

- Apply the lip color again; keep repeating the above steps till you're happy with the color

Look at that coral shade - with just 1 swipe on the lips!

Overall: For the price, the pigmentation is awesome so this would a great PRO product; due to its heavy texture, I am not sure if this would be something you'd want for daily use- I know I wouldnt.

3 Items & 3 steps: Get Ready for Party!

Purely based on experience - I'd to drop in at a party on the way back from work and this is what I did.

1. Transform my eyes: Eyes hold the magic, and is easily the best way to boost your looks.

A soft shimmer eyeshadow in taupe or nude peachy brown shade can not only give your eyes that party glow,   but can easily multitask as a highlighter.


I use my trusty shimmer eyeshadow from Essence Mono Eyeshadow collection in Sandy Says Hello, to add a layer of shimmer on my eyes and on my cheeks. To add more POWW to the color, apply a baked eyeshadow wet.

If you are darker in skin tone, you're lucky - you can get away with using an antique gold shade for your eyes and cheeks.

Check LoveShelbey's post to see the eyeshadow and swatches


2. Dark is mysterious...

Either use your mascara or an eyeliner/eye pencil to add depth to your eyes by layering on color.

Since mascaras give me a headache [I know, sad.. :(] I use my NYX slide on black eye pencil to add 2-3 thick heavy lines on my upper lid.

If you have small eyes or baggy eyes or tires eyes, dont draw color under the eyes - it will just draw more attention.

If you have darker skin tones, then black may not flatter your much - I suggest the warmer colors like copper and gold eye pencils  like Glitzy Gold from NYX Slide on range

See swatches on NYX slide on range in The Makeup Nurse's blog post here

See what Rebecca Brown considers as a great black eyeliner here


3. Toujours le rouge

What can beat a Red lipstick? Pick your shade of Red and get ready to rock!

I turn to my Du Wop Private Red lipstick for that creamy glossy red look.. whats your Red?

If you use a black pencil for eyes, use that to lightly contour your lips before applying your red lip color to add that depth of color and may be a slightly gothic look.. :)  

Read my review on the Du Wop Private Red lipstick here

Zzzzz-ing with Sleeping Mask - The Face Shop Lovely me:ex Waterful Grapefruit Mask

I am very lazy -let me put that out there very clearly. I like nothing better than curling up on the sofa reading a nice romance novel and sipping juice/chocolate. So for skin care, if I find stuff that I can do while cooking, while doing housework, at office and even during sleep, I grab it.



I got introduced to the whole concept of Sleeping Masks from a sample I got from The Face Shop - check my review here on the Raspberry Roots mask.




The idea that my sleep time can be used for applying face mask to do my skin a bit of good really appealed to me. I was checking out some masks at my local Face Shop store, when I saw this and I went - 'thats soo cuteeeee'. I must say, Korean companies really knows how to package - the coral pink color and nice price tag is enough temptation to buy without much deliberation.



This is priced around $6-8 CAD, not sure as I got this on some sale.

My Experience:





The product comes in a nice tub with wide mouth so its easy to scoop out. The consistency reminded me of a cream pudding. It kinda smell fruity too.It is pretty easy to apply as it spreads without much effort. It doesn't remain as a layer on the skin, so its easy to apply and go to sleep after 5-10 mins. I remove this in the morning, with a wet wipe soaked in warm water. Remember to apply a moisturizer or cream like any other masks.





I have been using it for past 2-3 months and here is what I recommend:

Do you have combination to oily skin? Are you looking for long lasting effects? Are you more concerned about the product quality than packaging?



If you answered Yes to 2 of 3 questions, then this product is not for you. What this does is:

1. Look pretty on your shelf- it does..



2. Gives a nice hydrated soft look for your face the next day; effects lasts for that day
3. Works well on dry to normal skin and for me [normal skin] it worked pretty well this winter

 So, don't buy this expecting any wonder.

This is more like a 'pick-me-up' product after a tiring night. If you have oily skin, it may cause break-out. It didn't for me, but the texture is such that it feels quite capable of that.

Essence Stay All Day 16h Long-lasting Concealer [or highlighter?] in Natural Beige

Essence Stay All Day 16hr [reallly,essence?]  long lasting concealer is one of those products that kinda sucks at what they claim to do but works better in some other ways - ever had such experience? Tell me about it in the comments below.

About the product, what Essence says:

put an end to tired eyes! the long-lasting concealer with light-reflecting pigments is a true magician that makes dark circles under your eyes as well as redness and shadows disappear to give you a fresh, radiant look! thanks to the creamy, soft texture, it is easy to apply evenly – giving you a smooth complexion that lasts for up to 16 hours. 

Price: $3-4 CAD

 

My experience: 

I am not a big fan of under-eye concealers as I feel that it is usually a tricky product to apply - if it cakes or if your skin is dry, it can so easily age you. What I usually do for dark eyes is - apply a corrector. 

Read my article on my thoughts for correctors and concealers here

So when I got this product [more out of curiosity than anything], my idea was to use it as an under-eye brightener - I was interested in the whole 'Kardashian' look after seeing Gossmakeupartist's video in Youtube. I couldn't find many shades of this product- just 2- and both appeared to be very light shades. This was a random pick as they didn't have testers. 

I don't use this product unless I am doing a medium to full coverage as it is too light to give a natural finish if used with a light coverage foundation. Natural Beige is a very light color- closed to a pure ivory-ish cream shade, that would exactly match only very light skinned ladies.

I apply this under my eyes in the V shape recommended by Gossmakeupartist, a dab under the ends of my nose, above the cupids bow of my lips, above my eye brows and just underneath it. 

The only time I use this on its own is as a highlighter on my cheekbones and forehead, before I apply my foundation. In that case, I make sure I sheer it out, to avoid look like a clown.

On settling down, this gives a matte finish, which means that as an under-eye concealer it may not be the best product, especially if you have dry skin. Regarding the whole 16 hour claim - no idea, I have no plan to test it out from 8am to 12 midnight to see if it lasted 16 hours! But it did last around 6-8 hours; I apply my makeup usually around 8.30am and remove it once I reach home from office around 7pm. On days, I'd applied this product, I noticed that it didn't fade off very noticeably, so thumbs up for that.

Pls Excuse my dry skin

Now, about hiding redness etc, I have no idea. I don't use or plan to use this as a concealer, so I wouldn't recommend using it to conceal unless you have an oily skin. However, if you wish to use it as a high-lighter, this would be a nice product for the Kardashian style contouring.

Overall: For $4 CAD, this is a nice one to try and experiment; if you are very light in skin color, this could be a good concealer for you, so give it a try.

Inglot Freedom System Lip Color in shade 30 - Leftovers from a Coral Craze!

Once upon a time, there was a crazy gal who refreshed her shopping websites every 30mins to see if new coral lipsticks/glosses were added or not... And in her quest for that perfect coral shade, she found many gems , a few maggots and finally the truth - that she still loved her plum-pink lipsticks the best...
And so she lived happily ever after, buying plum-pink lipsticks every now and then....





But what happened to her coral lip colors? Even in her obsession with her new berry lipsticks, she didnt forget them...and here is the tale of one such color- a nice pretty coral shade that looks scary bright in pan, but is actually a soft sweetie on lips...

 What is in a name? So I am not naming this exact color shade [too hard for me]. This looks bright orangey coral in pan and on the swatch on white paper below, but on skin it shows up as a softer peachy coral shade.

One benefit of this creamy lip color is that its a perfect for using as a lip color and as a blush - in fact, I use this more as a creamy blush. Such a nice shade for summer!

You can apply it sheer or can build the intensity up - Inglot's lip colors are superb in their pigmentation and staying power.

Since I have already reviewed 2 shades from this line, I am not reviewing the entire product. But if you are on a coral quest and is afraid to try some of the bolder shades, you should definitely check this one out.


My review of shade 65
My review of shade 47