Review and Swatches: Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in shade Peach Silk

I picked this lipstick from Ebay after trying out the shade “Gold Dipped Rose” from the same range. I loved the quality and the feel of the lipstick and the fact that it is one of Revlon’s classic range, also made me pick another shade “Peach Silk” from the same range.

Check my Review on Gold Dipped Rose here for details on the lipstick like price, ingredients, packaging etc..

My experience with Revlon Moon Drops Peach Silk

I will start by saying the plus points. This is a very beautiful bright color which is a nice mix of coral-pink-orange shades. I cannot do justice to the color in photos but it is much lovelier in the bright natural sun light. The lipstick is creamy as opposed to the frosted Gold Dipped Rose shade and glides on easily over lips. One swipe is enough to get a good layer of color as this is much pigmented.  Though it’s creamy, it doesn’t melt off like my NYX ones and it doesn’t settle in fine lines also.

Now the bad part and this is quite personal opinion. IMHO, this is too bright a shade for Indian skin tones and needs to be toned down with a lighter shade lip gloss to be wearable. I am medium fair wheatish skin toned with un-even skin pigmentation thanks to Chennai sun, so I have to be very careful in my makeup.

Even with 1 swipe, I can easily enter a contest for “Today’s Neon Lips Look” and probably win it as well! On lips, the pinkish shade becomes less prominent and orange takes over [I dono how this happens, How to guess when buying!].

This color, if worn alone highlights my darker skin tone, all the imperfections on my face and the only noticeable feature becomes the lips! So as you can guess, if you are wearing this shade, it has to be on a perfect makeup day and with strong but not loud eye makeup to divide the attention. I pair this with a beige lip gloss, brownish smoky eyes & peach-toned blush for a day wear and with jewel-colored eyes & shimmer blush for night wear, but the day wear look is much better.

Will I buy this again? Unless my skin turns at least 2 tones fair, I don’t think I will be able to use this regular but I love the range and I will try some other shades if I get a chance.

I found this interesting poster on Revlon ad from 1970. J

Review and Swatches: Mumtaz Delux Kajal Cold

What is the one makeup item you wouldnt ever miss from your bag, the one item that ou would hold to your heart when your husband threatens to throw the rest out of the flight luggage, the one knight-in-shining-armour you turn to when you need an instant pick-me-up? For me , there is no this and that answer for the qn - My one and only kajal!

And my search for the perfect kajal came to an end with finding this beauty. I got this from http://www.drugneed.com/ while searching for Hashmi Kajal, which my friend from Delhi was raving about.

The kajal is a deep matte jet black shade in a creamy-powder mix form that can be easily applied with a stick. This gives a nice cooling sensation on application and instantly gives that kohl-eyed look.

Khojati says that their product is made is pure ghee and bhimseni kapur. I have always wanted a nicely herbal product for my daily kajal usage and this fits so nicely.

It is a compact tube that can be easily carried along and since the application is through the wand, there is no fear of human touch contamination. The quantity is also fairly good and lasts for 2months easily with daily application of 3-4 times a day.

Overall, I love this and this will remain a constant member of my makeup kit for a long long time.

Review and Swatches: Bourjois So Delicate Lip Cream in shade Fuchsia Delicat

I have some products from Bourjois and I love them all, especially their eye pencils. I read somewhere that Bourjois is owned by Chanel and it is no surprise considering the chic packaging of the products.

When I read the reviews about this lip cream in IMBB and checked it out once at LifeStyle store, I knew I had to get my hands on these beauties. I got 2 shades from Ebay UK and both are lovely shades. This is the bolder shade and is a color that suits almost all skin shades.

About The product:
• So Delicate lipcream is a delicate veil of colour for your lips.
• So Delicate offers a first, combining a powder finish with infinite comfort and hydration.
• Enriched with microspheres of colour powder, So Delicate offers a softened colour finish that is terribly sophisticated.
• The innovative new formula transforms into a powder upon contact with the lips, and provides 8 hours of non-stop hydration.
Price:
Approx 600 INR for 6 ml with shelf life of three years.

The color is a bright blue-toned pinkish purple-ish shade that goes bright pink on lips after 1-2 hours of application. Since it is a cream, it lasts longer than lipstick but might be a bit drying. This is more like a lip tint in its effect than lipstick.

The color lasts a longer amount of time, around 4-5 hours, and leaves a nice tint even with food and drinks. The cream with its wand applicator makes it very easy and gives an even color effect.

The quantity for each application is very less and should last a long time, and I am happy about it.. :) I love the shade and the product and is planning to try out new and nice shades.

The good part being over, the one complaint I have is regarding the almost cloying smell. I would have expected a better scented product from a company whose sister brand produces some of the most renown fragrances in the world.

Overall this is a good buy and recommend this to one and all.. :)
This is available from medplusbeauty.com at a discounted price.

Review and swatches: Himalaya Anti-Dandruff Hair Cream

This is my latest love in hair care - An antidandruff cream that reduces dandruff considerably and also makes my hair soft and tangle-free :) That this is equally useful for me and my husband is a nice boon.

Anti-Dandruff Hair Cream

Action:

Contains Tea Tree Oil and Rosemary , which provide effective anti-dandruff action.

Indications:

Dandruff and hair fall.

 Ingredients Include:

• Melaleuca leucadendron (Tea Tree, Kayaputi)
• Coriandrum sativum (Dhanyaka)
• Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary, Rusmari)

Use Directions:
Massage gently on scalp in circular motion. Use regularly before and after shampooing for dandruff-free, soft and shiny hair.
Suitable for all hair types. Safe to use on artificially colored or permed hair.
Recommended with Himalaya Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for best results.
Price: INR 100 for 175gms

The cream is a whitish cream that has a very herbally medicinal smell and spreads very easily over the scalp. It feels very refreshing on scalp too.

I apply this after my night bath and shampooing, leave it over night and wash away next day. It doesnt leave any residue on hair and absorbs instantly.

Overall, I love this cream and since my husband also loves it, this is sure to a fixture in our combined cosmetic stash for a long time :)

Review and Swatches: Streetwear Color Rich lipstick in shade Creamy Brown

Streetwear is Revlon's answer to Loreal's Maybelline and Lakme's Elle 18. The lipsticks, especially the Color Rich range, is affordable for 140 INR & easily available, and in my opinion, a good way to try out what shades suit you best.

I got this one as I didnt have much browns in my stash and wanted to see how shades of brown looks on my complexion. Not many shades flatter me as some shades manage to make me look very sallow. However, this was a good buy for me even though I got this online without trying it out before.

I had already reviewed Streetwear's range in shade Cherry Slush here: http://makeup-n-beauty-n-me.blogspot.in/2012/03/reviews-and-swatches-streetwear-color.html

This is a very creamy variety and glides on very easily. I like the nude brownish shade that is very good for daily/office wears. This is a nice shade that IMHO should suit most skin tones.

The only fault I could find with this special shade is that being too creamy, it melts like crazy!

Review and Swatches: Oriflame Very Me Lipmania lipstick in shade Vibrant Peach

Oriflame was one of the 1st international makeup brands that was available in my place when I was growing up and I always had a fondness for the brand :)

I got this lipstick recently through a friend I met through IMBB, I was looking for coral lipsticks and she suggested this one to suit my darker coloring.

About the lipstick:

Go head over heels for colour! This must-have lipstick comes in ten intense shades that give your lips sheer, high-gloss coverage. Specially designed packaging for every facet of you.

Ingredient List: OCTYLDODECANOL, RICINUS COMMUNIS OIL, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-1, POLYBUTENE, MICA, POLYETHYLENE, CERA CARNAUBA, CANDELILLA CERA, CERA MICROCRISTALLINA, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SILICA, PARFUM, PROPYLPARABEN, BHT, TIN OXIDE, TOCOPHEROL

I like this one for 2 things: 1. Cheap and good quality, the price is 198INR, but you can get this on offer for less 2. It is a nice flattering shade that can be nude MLBB shade if worn on single layer or can be a bright rosey coral shade if worn to full intensity.

The formula is a creamy matte shade with no shimmers and is a nice daily wear shade. It doesnt score much on staying power but is nicely pigmented and no strong scent .

I wouldnt say this is a must-buy lipstick, but it is a fun-try and it fits your pocket. Only problem is finding a nice Oriflame consultant to send your fav picks.

I like the transparent bullet casing of the lipstick that helps in easy color selection.



Review and Swatches: Maybelline Whitestay UV base in shade White with Meroxyl SX+XL and SPF 35

I was searching for a face primer for my wedding makeup stash and before I could go to a MAC store and get the primer I want, I had to return to my home and there was no MAC store in the 300Km vicinity. So I asked my friend in Chennai to get a makeup base and this is what she got for me.

About Maybelline Whitestay UV base in shade White:

Product Benefits

• A pre-makeup base with skin tone correcting pearls for visible glowing fairness.
• Advanced protection technology with SPF 35 prevents skin darkening.
• Skin is visibly luminous!

Number of Shades: 3

• White: makes skin lighter and brighter
• Pink: Gives a glow/ healthy appearance.
• Purple: Corrects yellow skin tone

I will start by confessing that I had not much idea on what I was expecting since I had never used a base before, I always used my face cream as one. And after using this, I couldnt see much difference either!

May be I selected the wrong shade, so I am not blaming the product or the shade. All I am saying is if you are normal to oily skinned like me, medium wheatish fair and stays in a humid climate like Chennai or Kerala, better think 3 times before you use this.

The cream is a whitish emulsion like consistency and has a chemically scent. It takes around 5mins to absorb on my skin but I guess for dry skin beauties it shouldnt be a problem. I could see a shiny effect on my face, but I can get that with a sunscreen. I couldnt see any lightening and brightening effect, may be it is just a wrong selection for me.

And I have no idea what Meroxyl thing is :-) Overall, I think this is a very personal selection item,  before you buy, try and see if it works!

Review and Swatch: Lipice sheer color lip balm in Strawberry

I am not much of a fan of tinted lip balms as I think it kinda interferes with lipstick colors, my idea of a lip balm is a thin layer of protection for my lips from lipstick chemicals :-) I got this to complete a minimum purchase value to redeem a coupon and though I cannot stay it is my HG lipbalm, it is fairly okay.

About Lipice Lipbalm:

LipIce Sheer Color Strawberry
With LipIce Sheer Color Strawberry, you can now protect your lips while making them look beautiful.
LipIce Sheer Color Strawberry is a lip balm that mysteriously turns from white to pink, on application.
LipIce Sheer Color Strawberry comes with:

·  Natural Beeswax that nourishes and replenishes your lips

·  Natural Olive Oil that softens and keeps your lips moisturized

·  Vitamin A, C and E with deep moisture that keep the lips soft, supple and fresh

·  Protect lips from harmful UV rays

·  Fortified with Strawberry flavor

Price is 190 INR but it can be lesser on offer.

The lipbalm is a whitish stick that spreads thinly and evenly and get absorbed very easily on lips. I am not sure if its really moisturising as it got absorbed very fast and didnt stay long, so guess it might be even less-staying on drier lips.

The sun protection is a nice benefit as I read somewhere about how lip pigmentation is caused by sun. The tint is a pinkish color on lips and stays for around 1+hours without eating or drinking. The scent is a bit strongly fruity and it tastes a bit sweet to me.

 

I dont think it is a great lip balm, more like a tinted lip color with some lip protection added in.So unless I get some good offers, I would rather stick with my Nivea or Himalaya lip balm

Review and Swatches: Lotus Herbals Seduction Botanicals Lip gloss in shade 38 Precious Peach

I love Lotus lip gloss as should be clear from my previous posts on the 2 coral shades [check review links below]
Winterberry Crush: http://makeup-n-beauty-n-me.blogspot.in/2012/02/review-and-swatches-lotus-herbals.html
Strawberry Punch: http://makeup-n-beauty-n-me.blogspot.in/2012/01/review-and-swatches-lotus-herbals_30.html

This one is another beauty that I purchased alongwith Lotus lipstick in shade O'Orange [Read review from the link below]
Lotus Floralglam O'Orange: http://makeup-n-beauty-n-me.blogspot.in/2012/03/review-and-swatches-lotus-herbals.html

This is a orangey-bronzey shade with lots of shimmer-glitter particles that doesnt go OTT on lips. Lotus have got their gloss formula good with this range. This is a nice peachy shade for day use.

This is a nice day wear lipgloss for casual outings or parties. It can be applied alone for a natural orangey lips look or paired with an orangey coral lipstick for a party look.

It doesnt stick much nor does it stay for long but it does give a nice glossy finish to lips for the peachy tint we all love :)

Overall, I love this range and will try new shades if possible.

Reviews and swatches: Enchanteur Moisture Silk Perfumed Hand and Body Lotion

I got this from Spencer's retail outlet in Chennai while there was an offer on Enchanteur Deos. I have sweet memories of this brand, this used to be a must-have part of every gulf-returned relative as part of the "Here-I-am-back-home' gift sets.

Enchanteur is now brought to India by Wipro Consumer care. The price of this lotoin is around 70INR but I got this as part of a pack.

This hand and body lotion is vaguely disappointing though. It is more like a liquid perfume more than anything else.

I found the smell too strong and the cream not moisturising enough. I couldnt find any benefits from using this cream except that lesser no of mosquitoes attacked me during my evening walk!

Overall, I wouldnt buy or use this again, unless I find a tempting enough fragrance!

Review and Swatches: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50

I am very much into non-animal testing products and so usually steer clear of brands which are not cruelty free. Neutrogena is one such brand. Normally I wouldnt buy this one but when my husband got this for me to rotect me from Delhi's harsh Summer sun, I couldnt look ungracious and refuse it. I dont use this except when I am going out in Sun for a longer time as I prefer using Lotus's sun screen gel [like the feel of it :)]

However I must say, this is a quite nice product for summers.

[It is not dust, but result of getting mixed with an open bournvita pack :(]

What Neutrogena says about this sunscreen:

Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ is a revolutionary, dermatologist-tested formula that contains Helioplex® technology, the latest breakthrough in UV protection.

Helioplex® delivers unbeatable UVA protection. It works better to help prevent damaging UVA rays from penetrating deep under skin's surface. Dry-Touch technology absorbs excess sunscreen oils, leaving a clean, lightweight, non-shiny finish.

Serious sun protection never felt this light on your skin. This product features Helioplex®, a breadth of stabilised sunscreen technologies that delivers superior protection from the sun.

• Waterproof
• Sweatproof
• PABA-free
• Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)

I used this one in Delhi's hot & dry summer and later in Chennai's humid and scalding weather. This worked in both climates. Usually I have trouble with lotion-based sunscreens of higher SPFs as they go too oily on my already oily skin.



However this one is quite good in that. It absorbs fast into the skin. It does feel like rubbing an emulsion or medical ointment onto skin as the scent is quite chemically and the consistency is also like emulsion. It takes a min or 2 to absorb into the skin but once it does it feels light.

As to effectiveness, the best I can say is I didnt get any sunburns or serious dark spots in my face and thats a great thing as my skin burns easily. I should say this protects skin very well indeed.



The cream tube is easily to use and the cream itself is white in color. For 425rs, the quantity 88ml is quite decent and should last enough for around 100 usages.

Overall I would say this is a nice sunscreen and if it were not for animal testing [when will companies learn to be humane and kind!!] I would have got this again.