Product I am loving

Hey everyone!

I am still traveling and have not forgotten my blog I am hoping to have complete computer access by this weekend and have more posts on the trip!

In the meanwhile I have to tell you about a product my sister got me hooked on!! Actually many people have been talking about this product and so far I am lovingggg it

It is the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. A superb exfoliant for daily use which does not irritate your skin and leaves your skin feeling great.

Pros :
1. Virtually no black heads, I swear.
2. Brightens skin.
3. Tightens skin.
4. Smoothens and evens out little bumps in the face.

Cons :
1.Pricey

I love this product and intend to continue using it for a month to actually see if there is a difference in my skin. A complete review on what I noticed will be posted then!

What is your favorite exfoliant?

Recent Haul

I did a recent haul and I got some really cute stuffs that I wanted to share !

Body Shop: The Usual Favorites

1. My favorite for months now the Tea Tree Foam Cleanser

2. Born Lippy Strawberry Lip Balm

New Trials:

1. The SeaWeed Moisturizer with SPF 15, I liked this better than the Vitamin C Moisturizer . It is not greasy at all and works great with no shine or oily residue.

2. Tea Tree Toner, Liking it especially for the black head around my nose. Still deciding if it is worth the $ 11 (it is a big bottle though)

Target Haul:

1.  A white straw Fedora with black trim 

2. Orange and Brown Skinny Belt

Forever 21 Haul:

1. Color Block Dress

Will be styling this soon ! I love the structured but lose fit !

2. Short Brown Hybrid Cape

Will be styling soon ! and it was such a steal at only $ 10

3. Faux Fur Scarf

Get to a F21 store now to get these really cute scarfs for a steal!

Elf Cosmetics: Worth a try ?

I had a discount coupon to use at ELF and tried quiet a few products from the Studio and Mineral line.

I’ve purchased an assortment of different items from e.l.f. since the launch, and have found the quality to be very mixed.The Essentials line is their original $1 items.  The Studio line is of generally better quality, and the Minerals line is, well, mineral makeup!

The things that I loved:

1. The Kabuki Face Brush:

It is soft and really fluffy, and feels lovely and is only $ 6

2. The Brush Shampoo for only $ 3

3. Eyebrow Lifter and Filler for only $ 3.

This eyebrow is a stick with a highlighter on one end and a filler on another. (the cap has a sharpener) I like this product a lot, the lifter blends well and works very well ! The Filler is good too, but you have to be careful with application.

4. Shine Eraser blotting paper $1

What I really Hated:

1. The Mineral Eyeshadow

The eyeshadow is not so well pigmented and really hard to blend in !

2. The Eye Shadow brush

This was my biggest disappointment ! The eye shadow brush does not help in blending and is so difficult to use !

3. Lipsticks from Studio Line

These lipsticks make my lips look cakey ! It creased it my lips even after applying some lip balm before the lipstick!

Verdict:

My feelings on e.l.f. is that most of the products aren’t worth even the low price point. There are a few great products in the brand, mainly sold under the Studio line, but with so many duds, it’s hard to recommend e.l.f. except for a few specific products.   Unless someone has given a very specific recommendation for something in the e.l.f. line, I’d suggest saving your cash and looking elsewhere.

Any body with similar experiences?

Body shop Haul: The Must Have’s and the forget them’s.

 The Must haves :

This has to start with my favorite of all times, Born Lippy in Strawberry. It is an amazing moisturizing lip balm with a slight pink hue ! It is so good for the winter too, one application at night leaves my lips real soft and ready for matte lipstick. The small tub goes a long way too.

Ginger Shampoo: I never used to buy shampoo from Body Shop until I used one from my friend’s house, the shampoo had a very clarifying effect and felt very clean on my scalp. The smell was yumm too. So for those of you with itchy or flaky scalp a super safe to use scalp clarifying shampoo is here!

Vitamin C Microdermabrasion : Totally worth it, it is smooth (a lot smoother than St.Ives) and does give you an instant glow. Very mild so if you are aiming for some serious peels (normal skin) then this may not be what you need. But for a weekly dermabrasion this is good ! The price is what makes me use St.Ives more frequently, so for a pick me up before some event, this is good to have by your side.

Moringa Shower Gel : Really wakes me up in the morning !

High Shine Lip gloss: Great pigment and smooth.

The Forget them’s:

The Vitamin C Serum: I used to use Ole Henriksen Vitamin C Serum, and when I ran out of it was looking for a replacement. I thought this could be one, but no ways ! It is does not soak into my skin and brighten it or help with the appearance of any lines. As a serum it’s not worth it, maybe a perfect make up base !

Moroccan Oil Body Scrub: Have had way better scrubs for the price. It is smooth but a little to watery consistency. I would not re purchase.

Divine Calm Bath Powder: I love the smell and it is truly divine smell, the problem is that as a bath powder it scores really low. I can not use it as a bath soak economically as you need really a lot to make it work,but adding it on a loofah with your shower gel works like magic. Keeping it only because the smell is so so good.

How to get that Perfect red lips

Red Lips are always a fool-proof way to get glam ! Here are some ideas to fool-proof your Red Lips.

1. It is not all the Same Red !

Rule of thumb to choose your red:

Warm Tones looks better on orangey reds! Like the MAC Chilli.

Cool Tones should use Bluish Reds like the MAC Ruby Woo.

2. Prep Your Lips

Make sure your lips are well scrubbed and moisturized before you put bold shades. Also priming your lips with a little foundation will help with those little lines.

3. The Technique

Use a Liner or even Better a Lip stain like Jose Maran Lip stain to get a perfect border.

For a perfect Matt look using a lip brush is the way to go

4. Finishing touches

Use a clear gloss for an almost matt look or a dewy lip look. Or make it even better with some lip gloss with red hues.

5. Make it better

Add some gold lipstick/gloss/glitter on the center on your lips to add more oopmh.

Use a clear glitter glue and add some red glitter all over the lips.

Lip Scrub, Body Shop Born Lippy, YSL Lip Stick, Mac Sheer Lipgloss, Pauls Lipgloss, Nars Gold Lipstick, YSL golden Lip Gloss, Pop Lipstain.

The same for less

There are some products you can’t live without and some you may want to think twice before buying again as it is so pricey. I am bordering being a complete product junkie ! I am always on the look out for “that” perfect product which is life changing

All the products I have listed down are my current favorites and really does a great job! But on a normal day, I don’t want to run out fast. So I have found perfect drugstore doubles which does almost the same job.

Make Up forever Duo Mat Powder Foundation Vs Revlon Color Stay.

They are similar in packaging and quantity. They are both easy to tug along in a bag.

Both work well to give a shine free face and cover up any minor imperfections well when worn alone. I like to use a powder fluffy brush and not the sponge that it come with.  They are both long-lasting and does not crease or cake over a concealer or foundation.

You would never know the difference. If I really have to name one, it would be that Revlon powder feels a little more heavy on the face when applied over a foundation.

Final Verdict: It is easy to substitute and not miss much.

Make Up forever Full Cover Concealor Vs Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

I absolutely love the Make up forever concealer, I dont need to wear a foundation with it ! It is really a great product !

But price wise I don’t think I will use it everyday. Enter, Maybelline Fit Me concealer. It comes with a wand and is easy to apply and does not crease. The downside is that it is not very pigmented so you need to use a brush and some skill to layer and tap it in well. Once it sets it does a good job at concealing without bleeding off your face.

Final Verdict: Make Up forever is the better concealer for bad skin days, as you need only a setting powder to top it off.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner Vs L’Oreal Hip Color truth eyeliner gel

When it comes to gel eye liner I thought why look further from Bobbi brown ! But seriously try the L’Oreal version and you would never want to pay more. I agree the brush is crappy but you can always use a concealer brush to work it in. If you like to use a gel liner only for your lower lashline then this should be with you ! It is way less cheap and very pigmented.

Final Verdict: It is easy to substitute and not miss!

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Vs Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Spf 20

I was very very excited for my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer but unfortunately it did not work for me ! It is in this list because it is so popular, but fell flat for me! So if you are going to get one, why not try Neutrogena healthy skin enhancer. It works well especially with oily skin and does help with a little coverage as well.

Final Verdict: Try Neutrogena first!

Estee Lauder Liz Hurley High gloss Lip Gloss Vs Body Shop Love Gloss

I love the shine Estee Lauder Liz hurley collection gives, it is almost luminous, no yuck lip gloss strings and does not bleed!  These glosses are not completely clear but the shine is so subtle that it does not look like crystals applied on your lips. Perfect I say. It stays just like other glosses until you eat something etc.  The only reason I am substituting it because I can’t find more of this collection in stores and have to order it online.

The Next best thing to it that I really love and have with me for a while is the Body shop love gloss ! It is so pigmented, smooth and easy to apply. It is a little thick but does not feel heavy once on your lips. Really good for thin lips as it blends in so well.

Final Verdict:  Get them both

Hope you liked these reviews. Love to hear the products you love and double !

New Year Party Look

A party with friends during the holiday season is given ! I have combined my love for sequins and blazers to create this look which is my New Year Look to welcome 2012 !!

New Year Party Look by simi featuring black tights

MICHAEL Michael Kors short mini skirt
£150 - net-a-porter.com

Moon Collection black tight
$15 - modcloth.com

Dereon red pumps
$65 - heels.com

Chanel gold tone jewelry
£950 - farfetch.com

Stoosh Ruched Sleeve Sateen Blazer
$48 - nordstrom.com

No Place Like Home
$36 - irregularchoice.com

Clip it on Hair !

Growing out your hair and tired of having the remains of a hair style you used to have? As thankful as you are for all that baby hair sometimes you wish you could do a little more than just a pony tail with lot of bobby pins to secure the little fly away’s? I would say keep at it and don’t give up if longer hair is what you really want ! But in the meanwhile ever thought of Clip On hair extensions? I am not talking about weaves or cold fusion or anything that is too drastic, just simple clip on’s that can lift your hair on those vacations where you want that perfect pictures.

I stumbled upon the world of Hair extensions and I quickly reached the conclusion that the permanent methods of extensions are expensive and potentially damaging. Did not want to take the risk of weaving, cold or heat fusion ! So I decided to give Clip-On Hair Extensions a try! And I am glad I did.

 Many people agree that these are the easiest to use with minimum damage. There are plenty of styles you can create by using variety of clip on’s. For starters I suggest determining the purpose of using a Clip-on.

1. To add volume to your Hair
Look for color, length and texture closest to your own hair. I prefer Italian or Indian Remy Natural Hair. They are fine and merge well into your own hair adding volume. Look for Hair kits that offer different width of clips.You can control the level of drama you want by choosing different lengths or layers of the hair or even ask your stylist to highlight the clip on’s to give you the benefits of highlights without the chemicals.

2. To add length and or waves
If you are ready to experiment you can get Wavy extension pieces and add it strategically to your own hair to create fullness and waves without damaging your own hair, Or opt to curl the  straight hair clip on and add it to your own ! You can color, curl, straighten, wash and condition the natural hair you buy.

3. Bangs and fringes:
Want some drama for an up d hairstyle? Get Pre-designed fringes/bangs and add it to your hair style for instant charm.

You can do anything You want with it

They are fun and really lets you be creative with your appearance. What I love is that I can go from straight to wavy with minimum damage to my own hair. Also, clip-on hair extensions are so easy and require minimum attention from you ! Depending on how often you use it, you can wash and condition it using products you use on your own hair. Don’t need to worry about using the Styling Irons on it either ! Just make sure you comb it using a wide tooth-comb and detangle it after use ! After heavy use of Hair sprays it is advisable to cleanse it the next day.

Have a look at the one I bought here.

A word of caution, Clip on Hair extensions are not meant for daily use or to replace a wig if you use one, it mainly for use like a styling aid. Keeping that in mind will help to ensure you own hair is damage free always.

The Midnight Emergency

Hey All,

I am so excited and cant wait to get my hands on it ! Coming this October 21 available at Sephora is the Midnight Emergency Kit by Urban Decay for USD 39.

Urban Decay Midnight Emergency Kit

The Kit has the following:

• Midnight Cowboy Eye Shadow: Champagne with silver glitter
• Book of Shadows Vol. 11 Eye Shadow: Brown pearl with silver glitter
• Midnight Rodeo Eye Shadow: Pearly oyster with silver glitter
• Midnight Sin Eye Shadow: Smoky grey purple with shimmer
• Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Midnight Cowboy: Sheer, sparkling beige
• Travel-Sized Eye Shadow Brush

Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to on-the-go makeup essentials. Urban Decay’s Midnight Emergency Kit aims to make touch ups quick and easy with a one-step pouch that is packed with mini must-haves. The micro-palette zips closed so the products won’t spill inside your purse. Yaayy !

 

YSL – Parisienne

The YSL Parisienne commercial is so talked about and Kate Moss looked hot in the campaign.

So does this add sell the perfume to you ? Is it an ‘Oui’ for this one ?

 

The Perfume is going to release this October and has damask rose as the main ingredient!