Antique Gold & Olive Green, mix 'em together & you get - Inglot Freedom System Eye Shadow Pearl Square in 433

I don't know how many brands can claim a consistently high quality in all their products but I know one - Inglot cosmetics. This Polish brand is cruelty free and has one of the most awesome color cosmetics range. I have already reviewing 3 shades of their lip colors - 30, 47 & 65 .
I also have a blush, an eye brow cream & a lipstick from this brand and they're all awesome -expect reviews soon.

Coming back to this eyeshadow, I got this mostly out of curiosity - my migraine triggers prevent me from wearing eye shadows most of the time :( I know, not the best situation for a makeup lover! But I couldn't resist picking up at least one shade & this looked pretty safe to me.

When I got it in 2012, the price was around $5 USD approx for the refill but now its $8 CAD in Inglot Canada website- nice to see there is no serious price difference in the last 2 years.

My Experience:

This is such a gorgeous color, I am addicted to it. I think this may have the honor of being the only eyeshadow I would repurchase. 433 [wish Inglot would be a bit creative and start giving names] is an olive-green-antique-gold shade that effortlessly adds an allure to your eyes.

Kudos to Inglot for making this a pearl finish with strong golden tones - without that, the color may have fallen flat & would have been suitable only to fairer skin tones. But because of the antique-gold-tones of this shadow, this color easily suits most skin tones.

The quality of this eyeshadow is superb & is gorgeous enough to be worn as a single eye color, even for a night-out. The pigmentation is amazing, it blends well without any fallout & can be applied wet or over a primer/base for more emphasis.

Just one swipe and not over any primer- I wanted to show how pigmented this is without any aid!

Anamika [Wiseshe] mentions in her post here  that 433 is a dupe for M.A.C Sumptuous Olive - in which, this is definitely the better alternative considering MAC costs around $10 for 1.5gm while 433 costs $8 for 2.7gm!

Apologies for no eye-swatch. If I am wearing eye-shadows I have to take the risk of triggering a migraine, so I have to wait for a clear Aura before I apply it - which didn't happen the day I was taking pics.

 Overall: What are you waiting for? Go, go, go...

Oh Mi Amor... Spring Colors: Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Duo in Vivid

Ah, my beauty..past compare.. 

Remember Bianca Castafiore from Tintin comics, the diva who makes Snowy howl, singing [or yowling] this song from Faust? I am reminded of the song [not the yowl] here as I look at this beauty from Bite Beauty.

Bite Beauty doesn't need an intro - they are famous now for their high quality lippies & for me, the best part is they are from Toronto :) :)
I am tempted to visit their Geary Ave location,; they don't have an online store & as far as I know, they retail only through Sephora.

This lippie duo is available from Sephora for $15 CAD [Awesome right?].

What Sephora says about this lipstick : This mini duo of twist-up bullets offer neutral or vivid lips on the go. Wear them individually or layer to create your own custom look. With every application, antioxidant Resveratrol fights free radicals with potent long-term age-repair benefits. Each lipstick contains the Resveratrol equivalent of two glasses of red wine, reducing fine lines and wrinkles on and around the lip area over time.


My Experience:

I love this lipstick. Let me put that out 1st.

Okay, now here are some stuff I don't like, which I will clear 1st before I start gushing about it. First of all, I don't really care or believe about Reservatrol crap. If I am using a lipstick, I am using it for color, look etc, not for its skin care benefits. I use my lip balms or the new lip mask stuff from Korean brands for that. So, having Reservatraol which may be a wonder drug, doesn't mean a thing to me & I think to most lipstick lovers. Which makes me wonder why Bite has used it as the focus of their ads, instead of how awesomely pigmented their lipstick is! Talk about focusing on the wrong stuff!  Also if you read this article from Brightest Bulb in the Box [a must-read blog] , you'll get to know what the nonsense is about. Anyways, if that's how BBeauty wants to do their stuff, oh well!

Second of all.. for a brand that sells through Sephora, their packaging sucks! A boring greyish outer cover and a dull greyish-black case doesn't scream 'From Sephora' to me. Look at Too Faced, look at UD..come on, Bite Beauty, if nothing else go for the safe black!

Whew, now that is out of the way - let me talk about this gorgeous lipstick duo.
Palomino - my favorite of the 2- is described as a 'vibrant magenta' in the website & I agree. A stunning shade that will suit most skin tones & brightens up your look very easily.

Look at that color - I need this lipstick in my life.. Gimme more...n more...

Violet is described as a 'magenta violet' but I feel its more of a neon blue-toned pink rather than a violet. This is a more difficult color to carry for a day cos of its neon-ish look unless applied sheer; it looks great for at night.I have not tried this in full intensity as I feel it would suit me if I were 18 instead of 30!

Pigmentation - Awesome, Semi Opaque to full color in 1-2 swipes.
Staying  power - Decent, upto 4-5 hours without eating. Even if it fades, it leaves a color. Especially for Palomino which tinted my lips for some good amount of time.
Application - This is where I go nuts about this lippie. So soft and silky on lips. When ads talk about luxurious feel on lips, they are talking about this. It glides... and you wanna keep it gliding..
Comfort for wear - This is an important factor for me. It has to sit pretty and nice on my lips or else I don't wear it. This passed the test with full marks :)

Other factors- No harsh scent, no harsh taste, no irritation.

The lipstick bullet is small and I like it that way. Makes it easier to get it done precisely. In fact, I hope Bite Beauty will launch more of these shades!

Overall - Gal, run..go check if Sephora still has it.
Meanwhile, dear Bite Beauty, stop trying to make me a pauper. I saw your Deconstructed Gloss collection and with great difficulty I stopped myself from buying [God give me the strength]

Here is an interesting fact.
This Duo -> $15 for 0.1oz i.e. 150 for 1oz
A full size luminous lipstick - $28 for 0.13oz i.e. 215 for 1 oz

Aint that awesome? Hope they release more shades! :)

Spring Colors: Medusa's Makeup Lip Gloss in shade Bite Me

Medusa  - what comes to your mind? A nymph-like pretty lady from the ancient times or a screaming face with snakes for hair? 
For me, it is the latter, so I am not very sure why a makeup brand would adopt a mythical monster's name.. 
Oh well, at least it sounds better than Bitch Slap :)

 

Being a regular visitor to Urbanoutfitters.com , I'd noticed this brand; so when I did a recent lippie haul [haul post coming soon!] , I got this shade Bite Me from their range. I must say, the shade names are pretty uninspiring - I would expected something with a Greek touch to add some piquancy :)

About the product: Price is $8 USD for 0.25 oz.

"This rich and luxurious gloss glides on smooth and moisturizes your kisser.
We have also added delicious flavors for each of our vibrant 12 shades."

My Experience:

I like that MM team have marked the scent/flavor name against the shade - so helpful! Seriously! For me, scent/flavor for a lip product is a break-deal factor & there are items I've thrown out cos of the weird scent.

Bite Me is a shimmery cherry red gloss shade with a Watermelon [Yayyy, I love Watermelon!] scent. The shimmer is not very harsh, so it is quite wearable. One good thing I noticed is that unlike some shimmer glosses [ Expect a review on one from NYX soon], the shimmer in this gloss is not a stay-around-and-make-my-face-a-disco-ball type. When the color fades, the shimmer also mostly goes away with it. 

MM website describes this as a Red, but its more a cherry blue-toned red with hints of pink in it. This applies semi-sheer, so if you are looking for a full colored gloss that gives the same opaque coverage as a lipstick, this ain't it.

I must say, I am happy with this cos:
1. MM is cruelty free- 3 CHEERS!
2. I like my lip gloss to be just  a glossy layer over my lipstick & not a standalone product. I know, I am old fashioned., but if I apply a lip gloss over my lipstick, I don't want it to blot out the lipstick color!
3. I like my glosses glossy but not sticky and this one is not sticky at all!

This doesn't stay for long, hardly an hour or 2, but I like the cute packaging and I don't mind reapplying my makeup. 
It doesn't have any weird sharp taste, no irritation and leaves my lips moisturized.

If applied alone,this gives a very sheer wash of color. 
I like pairing it over paler peachy lipstick shades to give some brightness to the lips. 

Overall: This is an excellent lip gloss for the price [$32 for 1 oz, Revlon SL gloss is $60+ for 1 oz!] and if you don't mind reapplying gloss every now and then, this is something you can try.

A time for sun-screens.. Target Store Brand Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60 Spray

This was an impulse purchase from Target - they had some 2 for 1 or so sale happening and I am always in the market for sunscreens especially of high SPF.

I don't remember the cost but I think it was around $7-8 CAD for 2; anyways it was cheaper than other alternatives with the same SPF, so I picked it up.

My Experience: 

This is a no-nonsense sunscreen - it does the job, but don't expect it to do anything much. This is a clear spray but what Target doesn't say in the bottle is how oily-ish it can make skin look. It applies kinda sticky, so don't use it unless you have 10-15mins for it to set or unless you are going for a walk in the beach & don't care how you look! May be this would be a good deal for very dry skinned ladies, I don't know.

 I use this on days when my skin feels more than usually dry and I have 10mins to spare before starting on my makeup routine. Don't ever spray it on to your face - it can hurt eyes like hell. Also it irritates my eye area, so don't apply near eyes or mouth [very very very yucky taste]. 

The best use is of course for body - my suggestion is to avoid using this for face, it ain't worth the hassle of application.
Since I don't sun bathe or swim in 2 piece, I can't say how this water resistant this is .

Overall: Good for body, not for face. Nothing to write home about. Okay dokey.

$2 Makeup: Jordana Easy Liner in Black

Jordana cosmetics is an US based brand and I have already reviewed 3 products from this very affordable brand here, here and here . I was not very happy with their Quick Liner for eyes but I have read some rave reviews on their Easy liners and their new 12 HR Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil. 

Like most other affordable US brands, like E.L.F, Milani, NYX etc, Jordana is also not easily available in Canada [Sighhhh]. A few items are available at local dollar stores and this is one I picked. 

Easy Liner for Eyes is priced at 1.99 USD and is available in 13 shades. 

My Experience:

This is an average product and I really don't have much to say on this. Pigmentation is not great but not bad either. Its all about perspective- after all, it is unfair to compare a $2 eyeliner's pigmentation to that of an Urban Decay or MAC. 

This didn't tug on my eyelids but I cannot honestly say that it glided or was very creamy. My complaint with this one was it took some time to build up the color. 

Also, staying power is average. It stayed for about 4 hours on my lid - but then my lids are naturally oily. I would suggest setting this with a powder. 
There was no irritation, this is a retractable liner, so no worry on sharpening. 

Overall: This is an okay eye pencil. I don't like it as much as I like my Essence 16 hr eye pencil but for $2, this is a nice to have option. They have some nice colors also.

Spring Colors: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Demure

Revlon's Super Lustrous range is as iconic as the brand itself; recently Revlon launched their Legacy Collection which I hope, will hit the Canadian shores soon.

Since I already reviewed the range here in my post on Ginger Rose , I am going to just talk about this lipstick. Also, I doubt if Revlon really needs my thumbs up to sell this line of lipsticks!


About the product: Demure was launched as part of Revlon's Fire & Ice collection, I think in 2010 and is now in their permanent line. Price is around $9-10CAD which changes with Retailer and any promotions.

My Experience: 

Have you ever lusted after something you couldn't really use but so so really wished you could? [Keep it clean ladies, I am talking of Makeup :)] Well, for me this lipstick if one of my major love-to-but-cant-have makeup beauties.


I would love to rock a peachy nude lip color - I just cant. Unless I go for a flawless look with contouring & highlighting, I just look washed out & weird, instead of the chic look this lipstick can so easily give to ladies with the right complexion-skin-tone-mix. This color would suit most skin tones, but ladies like myself with uneven skin tone especially darkness around mouth or chin, should be wary of using this color.

Demure is a peachy nude [yawn, sorry to repeat it again!] - not the pinky peach that is pretty common- but a true peachy shade with hints of orangey coral that applies on lips with a frosty satin  finish - not gaudy or anything; very summery.

Like all SL lippies, Demure glides on pretty well and applies a sheer-to-medium coverage in 1 swipe. If you are lucky to have non-pigmented lips, or is interested enough to take the trouble of neutralizing your natural lipcolor, this would be a great color for a nice Spring/Summer day.

I don't know why, but this color reminds me of a lazy day at beach. IMHO, this color goes well with a neutral eye/coral blush & golden highlight look.

One beautiful aspect about this lipstick is, it stays true to the color- on my lips it comes across as the same color it is in swatches and in tube.

However, my lip pigmentation peeks through, so on the rare occasions I get enough time to prep self, I apply a concealer [though not in this pic]. If you dislike applying concealers, get the lightest nude shade to mask your lip pigmentation or use a white lipstick like Snow Queen from Portland Black Lipstick company.


Overall: If you can rock this color, you are lucky. Go grab it!

What not to buy: Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm [aka The Biggest Flop Product from Revlon]

Warning: This is a rant post. 

Why I feel the need to rant? Leme tell ya..
Some time back back, my dearest husband had one of those sudden spurts of affection [possibly due to the fish curry I made that he loved] and he asked me what I wanted him to get me from the drugstore.
And my answer was of course - lippies...

Since I was just climbing aboard the Lip Crayon craze then, I asked him to get me the popular Revlon Just Bitten [bitter laugh] lip stains. You can guess the rest-  The poor honey brought home 4 shades from this range and since he promptly lost the bill, I couldn't return them..

Hoping against hope, I tried them, only to feel bitter about Revlon's naming trick- very very mean of you Revlon to name this product such that poor husbands get mixed up when they buy!

What this muck is- a sketch pen that Revlon decided to pretty up with a Lip balm stuck at one end.

The lip balm is okay... but why would anyone pay so much for an average lip balm and sketch pen that doesnt work?

Look at that tip! I feel like singing Baa Baa Black Sheep....

Imagine a Revlon product giving such a patchy swatch as this!

Overall: I am surprised to see that these are still stocked in Revlon counters. Why Revlon, why? Is it pride? Is it your inability to accept you came out with a dud product? Come on, everyone make mistakes- the trick is to accept gracefully & burn these stuff to prevent poor unwitting customers from buying it!

How gentle is an acceptable gentle for a cleanser? Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Formula Cleansing Astringent

Witch Hazel - I like that word- mystical..wonder how that name stuck! Wikipedia says it came from Wiche which is pretty unromantic; I would like to imagine that once beautiful druidesses used to make elixirs out of this or used to wear this flower on their flowing hair..

Witch Hazel- Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Whatever be the reason for the name, Witch Hazel is renown at least in the Western half of the world for its cleansing astringent properties. I have read about the benefits of Witch Hazel before and when I saw Dickinson's Astringent on sale at my local Walmart, I got it just to test it out.

What is an Astringent?
Astringent is usually applied after cleansing and before moisturizing, is supposed to help with cleansing & minimizing pores, especially if you are oily skinned. If you have dry skin, you may want to stay away from this.

About the product: Dickinson's Original Formula is around $6 CAD approx for 16 oz.
Check the product here

My Experience: 
I used this for night time 3rd step cleansing. So how I clean is:
  1st level: Using baby wipes to remove makeup [after reaching home]
  2nd level: Using cleansing cream or oil [30mins before sleep]
  3rd level: Using an astringent or toner

Now here is the deal - this is too gentle for me and I hate the smell. I think it is pretty nice for a sensitive skin and for people who don't mind a woodsy kinda scent. But no thank you!

It did a okay job on minimizing pores and I am all for as natural products as possible. But I couldn't really feel it you know... I know that gentle is good, but gentle for me is boring when it comes to an astringent. But I would have stuck to this if not for the scent.

If you feel that I am totally weird on this and the scent is usually great, may be I got an off bottle - do let me know in case.

Overall: This is more a case of expecting too much and getting something ordinary :( I may buy Thayer's to see what the whole Witch Hazel deal is but for now I am not planning to repurchase this.

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.