26/02/2014

How to Create a Lip Pot out of Leftover Lipsticks: DIY,Tute and Swatches

26.2.14 19 Comments
Hola Bellezas...
This is for all you beauties who wanted to know through Facebook and emails,how I did a custom-made lip pot out of leftover lippies..
Lets begin with the outcome first :

Makeup can get expensive. And being a BUDGET belleza,I have a hard time trashing anything... specially the lippies that were once my favourite. So,I generally used to fix the broken lippies rather than throwing them out..But this time I went a step further and used even the leftover lipstick in the tube,which had no future otherwise..
I've always known that when you hit the plastic base of the lipstick, there is always some product left over in there. Sometimes, if it was a color I loved, I would take a lip brush and use a little bit more. I was thinking it was just a wee bit that was left in there.But no,last night when I inserted a toothpick inside the tube,it was half way in there. There was so much lipstick in there..!!!!
Here's what I did:
Note: Since it is a requested post,I could not click pics step wise. The pics are combined to make the post comprehensive!


From a Leftover Lipstick to a Moisturizing Lip Pot:Here's How
Things you will need:

  • Broken or leftover lipsticks (Do check their expiry date before using) 
  • Leftover lip balms/ Vaseline.
  • Microwave safe container/ Metal plate.
  • Microwave/ Candle.
  • Orange stick/ Toothpick.
  • An empty container with a lid/ Sample jar/ Old lip balm pot.
  • Tissues.
  • Rubbing Alcohol.

Instructions: 

  • Take a microwave safe container and clean it using some rubbing alcohol..let it dry. 
  • Scrape out the lipstick from its plastic base using a tooth pick/orange stick and collect in the container. I used my finished Avon Simply Pretty in Mango Mania and Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Pure Plum.

  • Now scrape out the lipbalms into the same container. Incase you don't have leftover lipbalms,you can use vaseline as well.
  • Adjust the quantity of lipstick and lip balm according to your needs. I wanted a hydrating lip product thus I added more lipbalm.
  • Microwave the container for a min. Keep a check on it every 20 seconds. It should only heat up enough to get mixed well and NOT boil.

  • Now take an empty jar which has a lid. It could be an empty single eye shadow container,a sample jar or an old lip balm pot. I used my empty Lotus lip balm pot. Clean it well using some rubbing alcohol in a tissue. Let it dry completely.
  • When completely dry transfer the liquid lipstick from the microwave to the Lip pot.
  • Keep it in deep freeze for 30 minutes.
  • And you have your very own custom made,super hydrating lip pot :)
The lip swatch is more true to colour than hand swatch!
The lasting power is around 2-3hrs. If you want more staying power,add less lip balm. Moisturization and longevity are inversely proportional in Lipstick Chemistry :P
Hope you liked it as much as I'm lovin' it :)
P.S. If you don't want to microwave,you can collect the scarped out material in a metal plate and melt it over a candle..Simple!!!
xoxo
Aditi..

For more info on this,here are links to others' posts

17/02/2014

Colorbar Instant Cover-up Stick Concealer in Caramel Treat: Review and Swatches

17.2.14 32 Comments
Concealer is one of the most important make-up products to have in your make-up bag. Personally for me, it not only conceals under eyes and blemishes but also helps to create a base for the eye shadow.
Concealer,I guess was the last makeup discovery for me. I neither required (Good Ol' days) nor used it in my makeup routine..Alas!now the story is different,not only do I need it for covering up the ever-growing dark circles but also for the stubborn acne spots that refuse to go :(
Heading on to the product in question today... Colorbar Instant Cover-up Stick

Company Claims:.
The package has this to say:
  • Chamomile for soothing and vitamin c for anti oxidant benefits.
  • Soft and creamy with high color payoff.
  • Handy for instant concealing.
Ingredients:

Price vs Quantity: INR 425/ 1.6gm

Shades Available:
  • 001 Apricot Crush – light
  • 002 Caramel Treat – Medium
  • 003 Almond Coffee – Dark 
 
The one I have is Caramel Treat 002,its is medium shade out of the three. It matches me well and has yellow undertones,which is a boon for my warm complexion. This particular shade will suit medium to fair skin tones.

Packaging:

The packaging of Colorbar Instant Cover-up Stick is similar to one of those jumbo pencils (though a lil' less jumbo for that matter). Its a silver pencil with a colour coded end. The shade name and other details are there on the pencil itself. It has to be sharpenend.

Texture:
Colorbar Instant Cover-up Stick concealer is very smooth to apply..no tugging at all. Due to its smooth texture blending it to the skin tone is a cake walk. Really speaking ,I wasn't expecting such a creamy application from a pencil concealer,but it proved me wrong.

My Take:
Colorbar Instant Cover-up Stick was my second brush with concealers,the first one being the Garnier Eye Roll-on which I had a very bad experience of. I was in search of a budget-friendly,smooth to apply and blend concealer. After researching on the net,I got hold of this and I must say this hasn't disappointed me yet.
The ease of application is its biggest USP. You can conceal your spots and under eyes in a jiffy with this product. Just squiggle a few lines and blend patting with your fingers and you are good to go.
I personally use it above foundation because it provides only medium coverage. I like it for being travel+pocket friendly.
There are a few cons as well like the shade being a tad bit deeper on me,loss of product due to sharpening and stuff...

My Likes:
  • Creamy to apply.
  • Easy to blend.
  • Hassel free application-squiggle..tap..blend..and go!
  • The shade matches me (though not superbly).
  • Hides average dark circles.
  • Travel-friendly .
  • Shade-coordinated packaging.
  • Yellow undertones will suit a lot of Indian skins.
  • Pocket-friendly.
  • Works okay as an eyeshadow base.
My Dislikes:
  • Provides medium coverage-not for intense dark circles and spots.
  • Product wastage due to pencil sharpening.
  • The sharpener is to be carried around along with the concealer.
  • Caramel treat is a tab bit deeper shade for me.
  • For everyday use and not for special occasions.
Last Word:
Colorbar Instant Cover-up Stick is a hassel-free,mess-free,travel friendly concealer that works well on dark circles and spots that are not too intense. It provides medium coverage and is good for everyday use.

Repurchase:
Though I'm currently liking it, I'm looking forward to get Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch,once this gets over.
Gals plz suggest budget friendly,good coverage concealers in the comments below. I'm all eyes and ears :)

Over All Rating: 3.5/5
xoxo
Aditi..

14/02/2014

Colorbar Blush in Peachy Rose: Review,Swatches and FOTD

14.2.14 20 Comments
This reminds me of my second post on Budget Belleza.. It was about a blush only, Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush to be precise and ever since this is just the fourth blush I'm reviewing..Guess I should get more :)
This is my first from Colorbar.. and the way Colorbar is hiking the price of its blushes...I guess its my last too :(
Moving on to Colorbar Blush in Peachy Rose:
Company Claims:
The Blusher accentuates the cheek area giving a glow to the face. This talc free, silky powder contains a moisture balance formula that is easy to blend and keeps the skin smooth, hydrated and nourished for soft cheeks with just the right hint of color.

Price vs. Quantity: INR 375/- for 6gm

Ingredients:

Packaging:
Colorbar Blush in Peachy Rose comes in a round silver pan with two compartments. One carries the blush pan while the other has a brush in it. It does not come with a mirror and the brush provided is of no use. The packaging is bulging and not very sleek to fit in small makeup pouches and is not stackable either.

Shade:
This particular shade Peachy Rose has been quite an attention grabber in the blogosphere,so much so that it has been even compared to Benefit Corallista. Peachy Rose is a yellow toned pink with very slight shimmer..that just gives a healthy,just-out-of-the-gym glow. Its more rosey than peachy though!

My Take:
Peachy Rose is a super-pigmented beautiful blush and keeping that in mind,you have to go really light handed with this baby! The texture is very smooth and it blends on really well. The staying power is impressive,when worn directly on base makeup sans the compact/powder,it stays on for 5hours on me pretty easily. The rosey colour is going to suit almost all skin tones (lighter ones..go light handed,it has an amazing ability to make you clown face).. 
I don't like colorbar blushes' packaging, infact I prefer Lakme Pure Rouge ones'. They are easy to pack in makeup bag and are stackable too. Plus the brush provided...aaah! why did they even provide it?
And this is how it looks on me:


My Likes:
  • Soft everyday shade.
  • Almost matte with a beautiful sheen..no shimmer!
  • Soft and smooth finish.
  • Blends easily.
  • Peachy rose would look good on all skin tones.
  • Super-pigmented.
  • Good staying power.

My Dislikes:
  • More Rosey than Peachy :(
  • I don't like the round bulging packaging.
  • No mirror provided.
  • Brush hat comes with it is useless.
Last Word:
The shade goes on with most of the looks and colours. The pigmentation and texture is good enough to make it the blush I reach out for most of the time.

Repurchase:
I guess this exact range and shade has been discontinued by the brand and it now comes in a new packaging with similar looking shades having different names at a much higher price... So I guess,the question of repurchase doesn't arrive!

Over All rating: 4/5  

xoxo
Aditi..

Valentine's Day Gift from Parker- The Parker V Sigma Heart Edition!: Press Note

14.2.14 0 Comments
This Valentine’s Day, Parker brings you the perfect gift for your perfect one- The Parker V Sigma Heart Edition!

New Delhi, February 11, 2014: Move over stuffed toys and chocolates this Valentine’s Day and revive the fashion of writing love letters. To celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s, Parker has introduced the new Parker V Sigma Heart Edition, a specially designed limited edition pen for the special occasion of love under its Fashion Series.

The Parker V Sigma Heart edition is the perfect gifting option with its unique design to match the fervor of the Valentine’s Day. The pen with the white base and the red hearts on the high gloss body, gives a colorful and a doting touch along with the quality and style of Parker. With the red grip and the steel click, Parker V sigma Heart edition brings back the charm of writing and will remind you of your loved one every time you use the specially designed limited edition pen.

The Parker V Sigma Heart Edition is available in all leading stationery shops at Rs 175/-. It comes fitted with new Parker Quick Flow Blue refill for that smooth writing pleasure.

**Parker in India is manufactured and marketed by Luxor Writing Instruments Pvt. Ltd. since 1996. 

Happy Valentine's Day To all You Lovelies :)

14.2.14 4 Comments
Its that time of the year again..when passing by the road I see kids on the red lights selling heart-shape balloons, the-not-so-privileged little girls selling bunch of red roses to the bikers who have girls clinging to them..and off course the clinging girls who give a nasty look to the boys  who had to rush their bikes without the roses given the appearance of a Green light  ;)
Its people wearing RED...Cards and gift shops all packed with RED and Hearts...
After all its the celebration of Love..the feeling that runs the world around !!!
So, Happy Valentine's Day to All of you in love...and those who haven't fallen in love yet.....Mannnnn!!!! You're really missing on something huge!
Leaving you with some not-so-red and not-so-hearty images...You'll come around them through out the day in any case :P
P.S. Images above have been googled and I don't claim any ownership
xoxo
Aditi..

06/02/2014

Why Lakme Pure Rouge Blusher in Honey Bunch saved my bucks on expensive Bronzers? Review,Swatches and FOTD

6.2.14 26 Comments
I can't emphasize the importance of a blush/bronzer in my life enough..Bronzers are the perfect way to get that summer look year-round. These products don’t really call attention to themselves when applied properly. But it only takes a couple minutes for them to add a gorgeous radiance to your skin. Lakme Pure Rouge Blusher in Honey Bunch is actually a blusher that would look very nice on dusky beauties,but on my skin tone it works well as a bronzer..read on to know more:
Company Claims:
Price vs Quantity: INR450/6gm

Shades Available:
Honey Bunch is a warm brown shade without any shimmer (though a slight shimmer is visible in the pan,it does not get transfer to the skin). The packaging shows it as a true brown shade but on my skin it shows pink undertones as well. The fact that it has satin matte finish makes it super wearable even during the day.

Packaging:
It comes in a boring purplish-maroon square case,with a transparent attached lid. It also has a brush inside which is hardly of any use. The only good thing is that it is sleek enough to fit in your every day makeup pouch that you carry in your handbag.

My Take: 
I personally love using bronzers and blushes. They give so much definition to the face.Bronzer is one item that can really make or break your look. It can make you look warm, glowy, and naturally enhanced or it can just make you look like a clown. A good rule of thumb is to just choose a color two shades darker than your skin tone. Any darker and you will be slinging mud on your face. Since Honey Bunch is almost 2-3 shades darker than my natural skin tone,I very conveniently use it to contour my face. It works equally well as a day+night time blush too.
And this is how it looks on me:


My Likes: 
  • A blush that would work on all skin types.
  • Works well as a bronzer/contour powder on lighter skin tones.
  • The texture is very smooth.
  • Blends easily.
  • The blush can be built upon.
  • Decently pigmented.
  • Stays on for 4 to 5 hours.
  • Gives a satin matte finish.
  • Gives definition to the face.
  • Sleek travel friendly packaging .
My Dislikes:
  • No mirror provided.
  • Brush is of no use.
  • No ingredient list.
Last Word:
My goto everyday blush,that I personally use a s a bronzer.

Repurchase:
Yup Sure!!!


Overall Rating: 4.8/5

xoxo
Aditi

05/02/2014

An eyeshadow mousse that works as a primer too..Bys Eyeshadow Mousse: Review and Swatches

5.2.14 18 Comments
They say mousse eyeshadows are perfect to use as highlighting agents & eye shadow bases. They aid in making colors appear more vibrant and pop. Though the purpose behind getting this eyeshadow mousse wasn't to use it as a base/primer,it now serves that purpose even better than what it is meant to do..
yes we're talking about the BYS Eyeshadow Mousse in Gold.
Pardon the broken lid,shows how frequently its been taken out of the stash!
Company Claims:

This lightweight whipped mousse formula blends effortlessly over your eyelids for long lasting even coverage.


This mousse eyeshadow features a beautiful gold shade that will just make you look amazing whenever you wear it.

All that glitters is this BYS Gold Eyeshadow Mousse.

Price vs Quantity: $3.95 for 3.5gm

Shades Available:


Bronze

Silver

Grey

Brown

Green
 
Gold
The shade I have is Gold,its not the yellowy metallic kinda gold but a very subtle pale gold with beige undertones.
Above are several swipes of it to make it show on camera. But when blended on eyelids,it gives a very pale gold shine to them. I would call it a Day-time Gold!!!
Texture:
The texture is dream-like smooth,just as a mousse should be. The super-soft texture makes it naturally and effortlessly blend into the skin tone.

Packaging:
BYS Eyeshadow Mousse comes in square glass-like plastic tub with a round black lid. The lid has the shade name over it.
My Take:
Oh well..where do I start from...this is my HG eyeshadow,when nothing works,this baby does!!!
I more often use it as an eyeshadow base and no matter how powdery or fall out prone the eyeshadow is...it just sticks to this,that too without giving me those sticky lids.
The colours look better and stay lonnnnnng....without creasing!
Need I say more?
My Likes:
  • Super-smooth formula.
  • Dream to blend.
  • Can be worn during day or night.
  • This particular shade works wonderfully well as an eyeshadow base/primer.
  • Makes colours pop out.
  • Prevents creasing.
  • Takes care of the fall-out issues.
  • Makes eyeshadow last really long.
  • Blends perfectly.
  • Very affordable
My Dislikes:
They should increase their shade variants.

Last Word: Awesome!!!

Repurchase: Sure!!!

Over All Rating: Nothing less than 5/5
xoxo
Aditi.. 

P.S. Click here for Bys website link.

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