Why I've been loving The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink !!

So, do you remember my The Body Shop haul that was a gift from me to myself, for International Women’s Day? I decided to try out some products that were otherwise pricier & have been on my wish list for a while. One of the things (and the only makeup product) I purchased was the Lip & Cheek stain in the shade Rose Pink (01). These lip & cheek stains are available in 3 shades and Rose Pink is the only one that doesn't have any glitter, the glitter in the other two are OTT. Let me tell you right away that I have been so addicted to this stain ever since I started using it back in March.

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink (01) Review Swatches Price and How to Use

My experience with The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain Rose Pink (01)

PACKAGING ~ It comes in the kind of tube a lip gloss comes in. I wish it had a brush instead of a sponge tipped doe foot applicator though; a brush is more hygienic because its easier to clean. The tube is the same size as a lip gloss tube as well. Another thing that bugs me is that the stain, which is very runny, easily gets all over applicator and the inside of the lid, especially when the tube is kept horizontal.

COLOR vs. SKIN TONE ~Rose Pink is a very deep pink color in the tube. However, it is sheer when blended into the skin, and looks just like a neutral rosy pink shade. If you apply too much of it, it will make your cheeks like they are punched :P The color will look good on all skin tones as it can be applied to look very sheer and very deep easily.

on the left: one swipe, on the right: one swipe blended out
The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink (01) Review Swatches Price and How to Use

COLOR vs. STYLE ~ The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain is great for natural looks. When the right amount is applied, it looks beautifully natural on the cheeks, and mimics what my cheeks look like when post exercise! On the lips, after two sheer layers it still looks quite natural. I very have pigmented lips and this isn’t the best product to use for my kind of lips.

APPLICATION & AFTER ~ The Rose Pink Lip & Cheek Stain is very pigmented and easy to use, I definitely recommend it to beginners. I use the applicator in 3 ways; either I directly dot my cheeks with the sponge tip or I use my fingers to transfer the product from the body of the applicator to my cheeks. The consistency is very watery so the product easily gets all over the applicator and I recommend cleaning up the sides (or making use of the product there!) &  the mouth of the tube frequently.

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink (01) Review Swatches Price and How to Use

 For a month or so I applied it using the latter technique only, then I tried it on my lips a couple of times and realized that I prefer using it for cheeks only, so I switched to the former technique (i.e. using the sponge tip directly on my cheeks). This stain really stains your fingers and dries moderately fast, once you dot it on your cheeks you have a couple of seconds to blend it out. I usually apply 4 dots to each cheek and blend it out, I do this 2-3 times on each cheek till I get a good flush of color!

PRODUCT vs. DURABILITY ~ The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink lasts for a really long time, I’ve worn it for straight 8 hours & it only slightly faded by then. If you apply more layers the color will last longer. For 2-3 layers, nearly 8 hrs weartime is pretty good IMO!


PRODUCT vs. PRICE ~ The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain retails for Rs.850($13.6) for 8ml(0.27oz) which is pricey, however, The Body Shop website runs sales frequently so you can get it for cheaper online or even at the store during the sale period. Another thing is, you need a small quantity of it when used as a blush or a lip stain, so it will last you a long time. The Lip & Cheek Stain is available in one more color Coral(03) on the website but it has a lot of obvious glitter.

REMOVAL ~ I need a makeup remover to completely clean it off from the cheeks. I don’t apply more than two sheer layers on my lips and that easily comes off.

The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink (01) Review Swatches Price and How to Use


Overall verdict: 5/5 
I really love The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in the shade Rose Pink, I definitely recommend it to everyone, even beginners will enjoy using it. Its very easy to use & lasts for a long time, making it pretty much perfect for everyday wear to office and even summer season. 

Iraya Vanilla & Whole Milk Body Milk and Shower Milk Review

Its been a while since I shared a body care product. Today I’m going to talk about two body products I used in the last month of the winter season, they are by Iraya. The only other product I have tried from Iraya earlier is the Kumkumadi Facial Oil which had really great results. Iraya is a brand that makes a lot of all-natural products which are reasonably priced. I purchased the Vanilla & Whole Milk Body Milk and Shower milk online from Jabong. The body milk is a body lotion and the shower milk is a creamy shower gel.


Indulge in the perfect bath with Iraya’s refreshing bath goodies

Splash about in a refreshing bath experience in the comfort of your home with Iraya. Soak in the relaxing aroma of Iraya’s calming treats to invigorate yourself. Lie back and relax as your skin feels soft, supple and bright, giving you a pampering spa experience. Perfect for a fresh start to your day, these bath goodies are enriched with the nourishing properties of lavender, basil, green tea, almond, wheatgerm, and other ayurvedic herbs to give you an instant jolt of energy.

Iraya’s rejuvenating Bath Retreat includes an irresistible combination of Bath Tea Lavender, Detoxifying Amla Bath Blend, Stress Relieving Bath Oil, Green Tea Bath Bomb, Invigorating Lemongrass Foaming Shower Oil, and Detoxifying Green Tea Scrubbing Shower Gel. Go, get these zesty refreshers for that perfect summers!

Detoxifying Amla Bath Blend  200 gm   Rs.645
Helps release toxins through osmosis while the minerals & nutrients from the
bath are absorbed.
For all skin types • amla, natural salts



Bath Tea Lavender  150 gm   Rs.445
pampering spa experience at home
For all skin types • lavender,basil leaves,neem leaves,green tea
Iraya Bath Tea Lavender
Stress Relieving Bath Oil - Wheatgerm & Eucalyptus  150ml   Rs.595
Hydrates, nourishes and helps release stress, to impart a feeling of wellness
to the body & mind.
For all skin types • oils of almond, wheatgerm, ashwagandha & 20 ayurvedic
Herbs

Iraya Stress Relieving Bath Oil - Wheatgerm & Eucalyptus


Detoxifying Green Tea Scrubbing Shower Gel   250 ml   Rs.395
Polishes, purifies and refreshes the skin.
For normal to oily skin • basil leaves, green tea, orange extract and walnut
shell

Iraya Detoxifying Green Tea Scrubbing Shower Gel

Invigorating Lemongrass Foaming Shower Oil   250 ml   Rs.495
Packed with natural moisturizers is a skin soothers & refresher
For all skin types • mint, lemon, olive oil, almond oil, lemongrass

Iraya Invigorating Lemongrass Foaming Shower Oil

Green Tea Bath Bomb 150 gm  Rs.195
Calming treat in the bath. Helps tone up and refresh the skin
For all skin types • sunflower oil, green tea

Iraya Green Tea Bath Bomb

Available at:
www.iraya.in
Available at Oxford Bookstore, Religare, Amazon.in, Jabong.com, Mygreenkart.com, Joybynature.com, Purplle.com

NYX HD Eye Shadow Base Review, Demo, Price in India

Company Claims:Prep your eyelids with this lightweight eye shadow primer that makes skin appear smoother, more even toned, and ensures lasting makeup application. The High Definition Eye Shadow Base conceals creases and pumps up the vibrancy of your eye shadow.
Ingredients: Isododecane, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Beeswax / Cera Alba / Cire D'abeille, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Vp / Eicosene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Propylparaben. May Contain / Peut Contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492, 77499, 77491).
NYX products are cruelty free.

Why do you need an eye shadow primer ?
I started using eye shadow primers simply because no shadow would last on my lids once I began blending them, they just got wiped out. I even tried the foundation-as-a-primer and while it helped the eye shadows adhere on my lids while blending, it didn't help in intensifying them or helping them stay longer. FYI, I have really dark eye lids. So for me, an eye shadow primer is a necessity to ensure that any eye shadow 1) sticks to my lids 2) is more vibrant  3) lasts for a longtime without creasing & smudging. 
There are many more reasons, for example, a primer acts as a barrier between your skin & makeup, it can keep oil from the skin away from the eye shadow. You can read more here.

My experience with NYX HD Eye Shadow Base:


Price: Rs.560 /  $6.99
Qty: 8ml / 0.27 fl.oz.
Shelf Life: 6 months
Availability: eBay, Sephora India

Treat your lips to the luxurious FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick

Let your lips express your mood as FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipsticks, a collection of radiant, high on color lipsticks you will love to wear, is now here. This luxurious range of lipsticks with an unbeatable gliding quality and unique satin finish promises to give you the most luscious lips ever. From sassy reds to vibrant pinks and everyday nudes, there is a color to suit every occasion.

With 8 long hours of stay, FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick is feather light, offering the ultimate sophistication to your lips. Great on performance, this collection of signature lipsticks cover your lips with pure velvet in just one go, leaving them sensual and bold.
Available in 12 make-a-statement new shades, discover the lip color that describes you best. From the flirty, ‘As You Like It’ to the soft ‘I Do’, to the passionate ‘Say My Name’ colors, these ‘stay-in-place’ lipsticks will impart a mesmerizing charm to your looks. Besides, the rich and silky color of Ultime Pro Velvet lipstick caresses your lips, leaving them smooth and even.  It contains a high content of pigments that ensures a stunning result, while special powders give the lipstick its velvety finish.

Made with an innovative formula, FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte lipstick is easy to wear and hard to resist.  It gives your lips full coverage with even color distribution on your lips, imparting a flawless finish every time.

And what more, you have the highly professional FACES lip-filler brush to add that perfect glamorous dash and precise definition to your lips! So flaunt that beautiful pout with the FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte lipstick that is ideal for that elegance we all crave for.
Net content: 4.5gm
Price: Rs. 649
Buy from Nykaa.

Available in 12 new shades:
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Stare
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Pinked Out
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Proof
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Scene
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Swept Away
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- As You Like It
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Winged
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Bonded
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Blinded
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Just Looking
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- I Do
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Say My Name
Faces Lip Filler Brush: Rs.199

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Stare
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Pinked Out 
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Proof
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Scene It
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Swept Away

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte As You Like It 
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Winged

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Bonded 
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Blinded 
 FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Just Looking
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte I Do
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte I Do review swatches price
FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Say My Name

Faces Lip Filler Brush




About FACES Cosmetics


FACES has already been making a splash across most major cities in India, with 26 signature stores in operation. In fact the bang-on-trend, faces color cosmetics range is also available in over 450 SIS touch points where consumers can experience the product in an aided environment.  It has recently expanded its presence in select Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, New U stores.

The brand with a more than 40 year old heritage and expertise in the Color cosmetics business globally, has aggressively expanded the width of its product offering in India to over 300 stunning products.

 Doesn't this range sound exciting ? I'm hoping it will be a dupe for the L'Oreal Moist Matte range. Its nice to see a lot of the shades in this range are suitable for everyday wear - Scene It, Proof, Just Looking, I Do.

Base Makeup: Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Cream DFD, D30 Review, Swatch and Demo

Today I’m going to talk about a product that has been since with me since the fall of 2013, when I did this haul. It is the Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Creme. I used it a lot when I bought it, but in 2014 when I discovered the Revlon Colorstay Concealer, this took a backseat. Now that I know its shelf life that will end soon, I’ve put it back to use. Brace yourselves for a lengthy review :)


Price: Rs.350 each / $5.6
Qty: 4gm/0.14 oz (also available in 30g)
Shelf Life: 24 months.

Bold Red - Revlon Parfumerie Perfume Scented Nail Enamel in China Flower Review,NOTD

Revlon released a range of perfumed polishes or "Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel" as they put it. I was miffed at the high prices, especially after the release of Maybelline Color Show range and Faces Hi-Shine & Matte Nail Polish Ranges, but I still couldn't resist checking them out. To be honest, the shade range in India isn't impressive. I like bright colors but I take great care to pick out those that go with my skin and a lot of the colors in the Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel range were either not suitable for my skin tone or they were already there in my vanity. Then I happened to see a bright red. Believe it or not, I did not have a red in my vanity then, just because it isn't a color you can wear casually. But it was the only color that stood out to me & its scent was amazing (the SA let me try it out!) so I had to pick it up.


Revlon Parfumerie Perfume Scented Nail Enamel in China Flower Review NOTD Swatches

Price: Rs.350 / $5.6
Qty: 11.7ml
Availability: Amazon | Flipkart | Nykaa 
Shades: African Tea Rose, Autumn Spice, Balsam Spice, Beachy, Bordeaux, China Flower, Fresh Linen, Ginger Melon, Lime Basil, Moonlight Woods, Orange Blossom, Powder Puff, Sunlit Grass, Surf Spray, Wintermint.

One of A Kind: The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask Review

Over the past year, I’ve come to realize and appreciate the importance of face masks, more precisely, good face masks. Like every other girl, I’ve tried the Everyuth Peel-Off Masks in my teenage years. Except for the orange peel-off, none of them did anything to improve my skin & I was getting tired of using peels – they end up doing more harm than good in the long run. I decided to invest in a good face mask because I wanted results, even if it ends up being costly, I have solace in the fact that it actually works! I've been using the The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask for a while now & I really think you should know about it! 


The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask Review Buy Online


Price: Rs.1195 / ~$20
Qty: 100ml
Shelf Life: 12 months
Availability: The Body Shop | Snap Deal
Ingredients list is not available

Favorite: Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm in Berry

Hi everyone! 
I’m back with another Carmex lip balm. I have previously tried the Carmex Moisturizing lip balm & the Ultra Moisturising version (love this one) and I’ve been blown away by the results! I expected the same from the one I’m reviewing today – Carmex Moisture Plus SPF 15 Hydrating Lip Balm, and I’m not disappointed at all!

Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm in Berry Review Lip Swatch FOTD

Price: Rs. 461 / GBP 4.99
Availability: ASOS (See also- my experience with ASOS)

Get the Sculpted Look - Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring, Highlight and Blush Palette in Medium Review

The fun part of summers is the trendy sculpted look. Every year I would just stare at the posters feeling an itch to try it out, and this year I finally could. Honestly speaking, no one needs to contour & highlight everyday, but its something you can do for a day out or some special event. Today I’m going to review a Contour-Highlight-Bronzer trio from Sleek Makeup.

Sleek Makeup Face Form Contouring Highlight and Blush Palette in Medium 374 Review Swatches

Price: Rs.1005 / $14.99
Qty: 20g/0.68oz
Availability: Luxola | Sleek Makeup Website
You can see my shopping experience with Luxola here & with Sleek Makeup Website here.