Nyx and I have come a long way I started blogging by reviewing Nyx Round Lipstick in Ulysses only. Here's another lippy for all you Hot pink lovers :) Might make you Spell Bound :)
Company Claims:
NYX Round Lipstick covers the lips with rich color that smoothes and moistures lips with each application.
The mineral-based emollient formula offers a beautiful velvet-texture, saturated color and it resists wear and smudging.
A classic lipstick for all-year round, the lipstick is available in a jaw-dropping 144 shades.
NYX Round Lipstick is NYX's the best selling lipstick and one of the top sellers for NYX Cosmetics.

Price/Quantity: INR 395/- / 4gm

Ingredients:
Packaging:
It comes in a black casing,which if not very classy,isn't sub-standard either.The colour of the lipstick is visible at the bottom of the bullet case,which makes it attractive and easy to locate at the same time.

The Shade: Spell Bound
Now this is the most difficult part..Spell Bound is a very cool-toned neonish hot pink..pheww!!!
It makes my yellow toned skin wash out.Without a pink blush the obvious blue undertones will make me look dead :/

Texture:
Like all the other Nyx round Lipsticks,the formula is very creamy and moisturizing.The lipstick isn't frosty or sheer.Its a very very opaque and solid colour.This shade in particular is highly pigmented,with just a single swipe,you get a good idea and amount of the color.

My Take:
NYX Round Lipsticks are one of the most popular budget lipsticks around with an array of shades to choose from. Spell Bound is a super-duper creamy lippy..so much that it often does the job of a lip balm (reason why it melts in summers). The lasting power of this lippy isn't any better than other Nyx Round lippies.It lasts for about 3hrs with light meals. Its very pigmented and a boon to pigmented lips in that sense. But this shade is too blue (read cool) for my peachy-pale skin. I personally love the shade but I don't like how it looks on me. Its kinda demanding shade and would look good only if you have used your foundation,concealer and blush properly :/
(that's pretty much the reason why I had to click so many pics to give you gals a correct idea of the lippy and the one clicked in daylight is the actual shade)
And yes.. I tried applying it as a blush and it looked so-so beautiful :P

My Likes:
1. Super creamy,a boon for dry lips.
2. Huge variety of shades to choose from.
3. Rich pigmentation.
4. Quite affordable.
5. Lipsticks have a shade name.
6. The colour at the bottom of the lipstick case makes it easy to locate.
7. Good packaging for the price.(It clicks :)
8. Looks beautiful as a blush.


My Dislikes:
1. The shade..doesn't suit me well.
2. Have to be refrigerated in  summers.
3. Might bleed in summers (lip liners come handy)
4. Sold at higher prices in India.

Last Word:
Love the formula though the shade is a rocker for  cool/pink toned beauties.

Repurchase:
Not this shade but definitely a few round lippies.

Over All Rating: 3.8/5

Now what are Skin Toners basically for?
Believe me,I had no idea of this when I bought one. I just got it to fill in the blank between Cleansing and Moisturising of the much-hyped CTM Routine. But after a lil' research I gotta know that a toner's primary job is to restore your skin’s natural pH balance. Each time you wash your face you are upsetting the natural balance of acidity. This is where toner comes in !After cleansing, your skin's pH balance becomes too high and your skin has to work overtime to restore the balance. By using the right toner, your skin's pH level is immediately restored to its optimum range providing the perfect condition for your moisturizers.
"Often sold as a must-use step, toners are truly optional." -- Bobbi Brown
While many people feel toners truly cleanse their faces, removing any excess makeup residue, most beauty editors agree toners are not a "must-have" part of most people's skincare regimen. So who should use toner? People with extremely oily or acne-prone skin and those of us who want extra cleansing after wearing a lot of makeup should actually use a toner. Lets come to the review of Himalaya Herbals Gentle Refreshing Toner now:

Company Claims:
A special blend of herbs that controls excess oil secretion and makes your skin oil-free. It is enriched with Lemon and Jasmine which refresh and cool your skin, Sensitive Plant extracts that control excess oil secretion, and Sweet Marjoram that nourishes the skin, to keep it healthy and radiant.

Price/Quantity: INR70/- / 100ml

Ingredients:
Jasminum sambac (Jasmine, Jati)
Mimosa pudica (Sensitive Plant, Lajjalu)
Origanum majorana (Marjoram, Marubaka)
Citrus limon (Lemon, Nimbuka)
Inactives- Methylparaben IP, PropylparabenIP

Directions for Use:
After using Himalaya Herbals Deep Cleansing Milk, pour a few drops of Gentle Refreshing Toner on a cotton pad and wipe thoroughly over your face and neck.

Packaging:
Himalaya Herbals Gentle Refreshing Toner comes in a white translucent plastic bottle with a typical Himalaya bluish-green screw cap.It has another plastic lid to control product spillage (I've lost it). An okayish packaging..I like my toners and face freshners in spray bottle :/

My Take:
 
Now after reading about toners I came to know they basically serve three purposes:
a) Most importantly they maintain skin's pH balance.
b) They are used to minimize pores.
c) They are used to remove excess makeup.
Other benefits:
Removing dirt, impurities, dead skin cells and toxins
Removing excess sebum (oil) from the skin
Reducing excess oil secretion by creating an optimal pH level
So who should use toner? People with extremely oily or acne-prone skin and those of us who want extra cleansing after wearing a lot of makeup
 Now I personally don't fall in the category of oily acne-prone skin nor do I face the issue of open pores,so I basically use this to remove extra traces of makeup and for that fresh feeling...considering I love hoe this one smells!

My Likes:
1. Smells really good (it has Lemon and Jasmine and I love both)
2. Very Affordable.
3. Its Alcohol free,did not dry me out.
4. Its mild enough not to break me out!
5. Gives a squeaky clean feel to the face post application.
6. Its refreshing!

My Dislikes:
1. I would have preferred it in a spray bottle.
2. Has parabens in its Inactive Ingredient list (remember its herbal)

Last Word:
Its is what it says Gentle and Refreshing!

Repurchase:
If you've read above,you would know I don't actually need it. But if I'll have to buy it again..I would buy this one only!

Over All Rating : 3.5/5

Yes most of us love winters but with the chill in the air comes a long list of personal/skin care products to keep ourselves moisturised and supple. A very common side effect of chilly weather is that it takes a toll on your feet and God forbid if you are dry skinned like me..there go a few cents extra to take care of those 'hidden in the socks' feet. I have tried a few cheap and not-so-cheap alternatives/home remedies for heel and foot care and finally gave a try to my beloved brand Patanjali. Lets see what are my views on the product in question i.e. Patanjali Crack Heal Cream.
                         
Our body has a love-hate relationship with sebum. When wehave just the right amount of this oily substance, it helps protect our skin. Sebaceous glands, which produce our body's sebum, are found everywhere on our skin with the exception of the palms of our hands and soles of our feet. And that's the reason why our feet get dry,scaly and cracked.
Moving on to the solution now....
What it Claims: Helpful in healing cracked heals.


Price/Quantity: INR 60/- / 50gm

Ingredients:

Directions for use: Apply 2-3gm on the cracked area.

Packaging:
Patanjali Crack Heal Cream comes in a typical Patanjali yellow squeeze tube with a screw cap. Practical and travel-friendly!

My Take:
Now if you have come across any three posts of mine ,you would be knowing I have a dry skin (though I'm pretty sure I've mentioned that in every post of mine..so in that case make that "any post of mine")Being so, the feet demand some extra pampering from me..more so in winters. I have tried vaseline and foot creams from Avon,Oriflame and the likes.Some were satisfactory some were not worth the price and hype. Then I came across Patanjali Crack Heal Cream. No I did not go through any reviews,didn't seek suggestions..Just saw and bought (Now that's the advantage of a low priced product..you don't have to think twice before buying it)
The colour of Patanjali Crack Heal Cream is pale yellow and it has a pretty strong smell of camphor that might irritate sensitive noses but I like it..very refreshing. The foot cream's consistency is quite thick..just what a foot cream should have. It gets absorbed in the skin as if the skin was aching for it since long :P Post application though it feels nice on the feet,it gives a greasy sticky feel to the palms of my hand and i have to wash my hands off.
Since there is no elaborate "direction to use" on the tube,I did the most common method of soaking scrubbing,wiping and applying the foot-cream method and Whoaaa..within few days my feet became baby soft. It actually works well. Now I don't have scaly/cracked heels but they do become dry and hard if neglected. But whatever the case I love love love this and use it regularly!

My Likes:
1. It actually works..heals cracked heels!
2. Super Affordable.
3. Smells of Camphor.
4. Travel-friendly packaging.
5. Correct consistency for a foot cream.
6. Gets absorbed easily.
7. A little goes a long way.

My Dislikes:
Apart from its availability I cannot find a con and in my the store's near by so absolutely no con for me!

Last Word:
Yes it feels sticky to hands post application but then guys its for feet and as long as it does what it is meant for..and for that matter it does it pretty well....  why do we buy hand washes for?

Repurchase:
Till it gets discontinued...

OverAll Rating: 5/5 (4.9 for sensitive noses) 

My search for that perfect everyday cream made me try many a products that markets are flooded with. Some broke me out,others left a white cast,were drying/powdery and there were those who went awfully wrong with the camera :/

Recently only I my Avon rep recommended me this Avon Care Fairness Cream claiming it is one of the best sellers. Now that its on offer for the past two months..I didn't think twice..and Thank God I didn't!
Company Claims:

• Provides instant fairness
• Contains antioxidants to protect skin against dust

Price/Quantity: INR 100/- /50gms (most of the time on offer.I got mine for 75/-)

Ingredients:

Packaging:
Avon Care Fairness Cream comes in a cute looking white-pink plastic tube with a twist open blue cap. Nothing fancy just cute and practical.

My Experience:
Now before I narrate my experience,let me stress that I wasn't hunting for a "fairness" cream,I have medium to fair complexion (though I love love love duskier beauties..Chitrangda Singh to name one) All I wanted was a budget daily cream which would brighten and freshen my face up and an even skin tone would surely be a thumbs up. My Avon rep suggested me this,stating its one of her regularly in-demand product. Rs.75/- for an experiment wasn't burning a hole..so gave it a try and Whoaaa..
Its baby pink in colour,has a lovely floral smell which is pretty noticeable (might even prove to be too strong for sensitive noses) but I like it..its floral and its fresh!
It brightens up the face and has a moisturising effect as well. Doesn't break me out and no white cast effect.

My Likes:
1. Freshens and brightens my face.
2. I like the floral fresh fragrance (remember its not mild)
3. Travel friendly packaging.
4. Does not break me out.
5. Does not dry me out.
6. Does not leave a white cast (until you apply loads of it)
7. A pea-size is more than enough for the whole face
8. Has a moisturising effect.
9. Gives a glowy-dewy finish.
10. Super-Affordable.

My Dislikes:
1. The smell can be strong for some!
2. Has Parabens.
3. Doesn't provide much coverage (its not tinted you see)

Last Word:
My holy grail everyday cream!

Repurchase:
YUP..for sure!

Over All Rating: 4.8/5

Now this was a gift to me..Awww yeah... a budget belleza doesn't spend so much on her nails ;)
This is my first Chanel nail paint. Read on to know my awesome or not-so-awesome experience:
Chanel Claims:
Classic and trend-defining shades from the runways of Paris. State-of-the-art formula strengthens and moisturizes nails as it delivers long-wearing, high-shine, chip-resistant colour. Applies evenly without streaking.
All Chanel nail products are formaldehyde-free, toluene-free and DBP-free.

Price/Quantity: $27/13ml (approx. INR 1700/-)

Directions To Use:
Using built-in brush applicator, lightly apply colour to nails. Let dry and reapply colour until desired intensity is achieved.

Packaging:

Chanel nail paints come in squarish bulky glass bottles with a black twist open applicator cap with the Chanel logo on it. The shade name and number is given there on the bottle front. The brush applicator is of good quality (C'mon now for that price..the basics have to be kept right).

Shade- Tulipe Noire 457
Tulipe Noire is a Deep Maroon with slight brown undertones. The shimmers so visible in the bottle are no where to be seen on the nails. For me its a boring maroon :/

My Take:
Well as I said before,this is my first Chanel and lemme tell you I'm disappointed with the shade and the staying power considering its price. Now I have no clue if  "chipping-off-third-day-itself" is an issue with this particular shade or in general (I so wish its just with my piece..I mean how can a 1700/- nail paint last on me lesser than its 30/- street counterpart..phew...and No,I don't do the utensils or clothes myself and neither I'm cooking all day to feed a family of fifteen..uuh) Talking about the shade..like I said its a boring deep maroon.Period!
 My Likes:
1. Looks good on my nail paint stash
2. Good packaging
3. Formaldehyde-free, toluene-free and DBP-free.

My Dislikes:
1. Chipped off the third day :(
2. Boring shade :/
3. Bulky to carry while travelling.
4. Way to expensive for the quality it delivered.

Last Word:
Not worth the price and hype!

Repurchase:
Thank God it was a gift! Wouldn't have bought this even :(

Over All Rating: Now for the first time EVAAAAAAAAA.. I leave the rating to you.. So that's a homework for you gals..Read the review and give your ratings :P
P.S. Thanx Rads..I love your blog!

Now this was a gift to me..Awww yeah... a budget belleza doesn't spend so much on her nails ;)
This is my first Chanel nail paint. Read on to know my awesome or not-so-awesome experience:
Chanel Claims:
Classic and trend-defining shades from the runways of Paris. State-of-the-art formula strengthens and moisturizes nails as it delivers long-wearing, high-shine, chip-resistant colour. Applies evenly without streaking.
All Chanel nail products are formaldehyde-free, toluene-free and DBP-free.

Price/Quantity: $27/13ml (approx. INR 1700/-)

Directions To Use:
Using built-in brush applicator, lightly apply colour to nails. Let dry and reapply colour until desired intensity is achieved.

Packaging:

Chanel nail paints come in squarish bulky glass bottles with a black twist open applicator cap with the Chanel logo on it. The shade name and number is given there on the bottle front. The brush applicator is of good quality (C'mon now for that price..the basics have to be kept right).

Shade- Tulipe Noire 457
Tulipe Noire is a Deep Maroon with slight brown undertones. The shimmers so visible in the bottle are no where to be seen on the nails. For me its a boring maroon :/

My Take:
Well as I said before,this is my first Chanel and lemme tell you I'm disappointed with the shade and the staying power considering its price. Now I have no clue if  "chipping-off-third-day-itself" is an issue with this particular shade or in general (I so wish its just with my piece..I mean how can a 1700/- nail paint last on me lesser than its 30/- street counterpart..phew...and No,I don't do the utensils or clothes myself and neither I'm cooking all day to feed a family of fifteen..uuh) Talking about the shade..like I said its a boring deep maroon.Period!
 My Likes:
1. Looks good on my nail paint stash
2. Good packaging
3. Formaldehyde-free, toluene-free and DBP-free.

My Dislikes:
1. Chipped off the third day :(
2. Boring shade :/
3. Bulky to carry while travelling.
4. Way to expensive for the quality it delivered.

Last Word:
Not worth the price and hype!

Repurchase:
Thank God it was a gift! Wouldn't have bought this even :(

Over All Rating: Now for the first time EVAAAAAAAAA.. I leave the rating to you.. So that's a homework for you gals..Read the review and give your ratings :P

Well I make very few promises but once made I try to fulfill them. Remember I promised in my last post that next I would be reviewing a lipstick for fall winters? Here I am with this beautiful shade from our beloved Maybelline Colour Sensational range. Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipsticks need no intro and I guess any creature with a XX Chromosome would be fairly aware of these ;)  
Lets check this one out.
Company Claims:

Why You’ll Love It

• Crisper color from pure pigments. Creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar
• Lipcolor so rich, so stunning… it’s sensational
• 33 Captivating Shades

Expert Tip

Apply your lipstick by starting in the center of your lip. Work from the center to the outer edges of your lip for a gorgeously perfect finish.

Price/Quantity: INR 350/- / 4gm

Packaging:

Shade: Plum Perfect
The shade Plum Perfect is a pure plum shade with obvious magenta undertones and is buildable. Its a beautiful shade that has the capability of brightening up the face. Strangely enough my complexion looks lighter and more even when I wear this lippy :) Will suit all Indian skin tones!

Texture:
Plum Perfect is a moisturising lipstick.Its not as creamy as their Moisture Extreme ones,still it never dries my lips out. 

My Take:
I'm generally not into deep dark shades..not that I don't like or am afraid of carrying it...its just that they add another five years to me ;) But come winters and I hide my peaches and corals back in the stash and get set on the plummy-purply mood!

*The Hand swatch is closer to the actual shade

Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Plum Perfect is a highly pigmented plummy lip colour that stays on 4-5 hours easily on me and fades off with a tint behind.The formula is moisturising even in these chilly winters. The quality of the lipstick is pretty decent for the price it comes for. The shade in particular is very fall-kind..if that makes any sense! It makes me look fresher and fairer (as in subsides the uneven skin tone).It's not absolutely fragrance free but the smell can't be called overpowering in any way!

My Likes:
1. Decent Packaging.
2. Beautiful shade (in winters for me)
3. Moisturising formula.
4. Highly pigmented.
5. No bothersome fragrance.
6. Good staying power.

My Dislikes:
Nothing really..just that I personally can't wear these shades all through the year!
  
Last Word: 
Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipsticks are great value for money and this particular shades rocks in cooler months.

Repurchase:
Maybelline Colour Sensational- Yes
Plum Perfect- No (I like experimenting with shades)

Over All Rating: 3.5/5 (only coz I'm not a big fan of deep shades)

Though its super wintery here in delhi and Nudes and MLBBs are not the perfect mates to kill the chill still today's post is about a caramelly shade that would remind you of your hot cuppa (next I'll post a shade for fall season..God Promise!)
The brand Faces Canada happens to be one of my favorite cosmetic brands for its quality,packaging and price combo.The lippy today we're gonna talk about is from Faces Satin Matte Range,its my first from this range! Read on to know my experience:


Company Claims:
Faces Lipstick Satin Matte is enhanced with vitamin E and raw mango extract to help skin repair in opposition to climatic change and also to guard and dampen with every beautifying application. Faces Lipstick Satin Matte offers uniform lip colour coverage and is free from perfume and lanolin. It is very moisturizing and does not dry out.
Faces Lipstick Satin Matte has shades to boost up your lips. It offers a semi matte finish to your lips and is highly pigmented so a single swipe is more than enough to offer an intense colour to your lips.

Price/Quantity: INR 299/- (available for less online) / 4.2gm

Ingredients:
Packaging:
Faces Satin Matte Lipsticks come in a classy round shiny black casing.Its petite for the quantity of product it has inside. The only problem is that because of its round shape it goes on rolling when placed on a flat surface :/ (I know it sounds weird but I'm always afraid of breaking it..it just goes on rollingggg..)

Shade: Cafe'Latte Brown
Cafe'Latte Brown is a caramel brown kinda shade. It has no specific undertones. Though it looks pretty deep on my hand swatch,it comes out much lighter kinda mlbb on my lips. The shade is subtle and can be worn everyday..a boon for office goers! Would suit all skin tones,specially the duskier beauties!

Texture:
The texture of the lipstick is super creamy.It glides on the lips like a dream. Infact unlike its name its more satin than matte. My dry lips do not require a balm underneath.

My Experience:
This is my first buy from the Faces Satin Matte range and I love how pigmented and moisturising these lipsticks are. The colour is buildable though it gives an opaque finish in a single swipe. The shade though caramel brown on lighter skin can prove to be very natural mlbb shade on deeper warmer skin tones. Because the shade doesn't have any specific undertones,it did not brighten up my face noticeably but still its the kind of  shade one would reach out for often as it goes well with whatever  one's wearing. I generally prefer my lipsticks to be fragrance-free,but this one has a very yummy coconut-caramel fragrance to it which isn't at all overpowering. It also has a good staying power considering its so moisturising.It stayed on me for 3-4 hours and I don't even expect more than this from such a creamy lipstick.
My Likes:
1. Super Creamy.
2. Nice everyday shade.
3. Good pigmentation.
4. Doesn't accentuate fine lines.
5. Staying power is more than average for this texture.
6. Very moisturising (feels like a lip balm)
7. Affordable.
8. Mild Coconut-Caramel fragrance.  

My Dislikes:
1. The round casing goes on rolling even on the flat surface :/
2. Its so creamy..yet to see how its gonna face the north Indian summers.
3. Has parabens in the ingredient list.

Last Word:
I really liked the formula.This particular shade would suit everyone and the duskier beauties would love it to bits.

Repurchase:
Definitely..but some other shade from this range!

Over All Rating: 4/5