Makeup Discourse

elf cosmetics (Eyes Lips Face), a cosmetic brand based in New York now ships worldwide. I happened to be making my birthday list, sorting through brands I want to own. Accidentally I landed on their website only to discover they've initiated Free Worldwide Shipping on the orders above $50.

So I contacted their customer support to confirm free shipping on $50, Duties and taxes. And I hurriedly added few primers into the cart. And the Customs duties and taxes were included in the total order. The option of paying the customs duties and taxes upon the arrival of the package is available as well.

I am attaching a snapshot of my order summary below.


Here is what you could pick up from their bestsellers list.

e.l.f High Definition Powder
e.l.f Lip Exfoliator
e.l.f  Baked Highlighter & Blush (e.l.f Blush gems is close dupe for MAC Soft & Gentle)
e.l.f Poreless Face Primer (a close dupe for Smashbox photo finish primer)
e.l.f blush (available in 7 shades which are close dupes of the Nars blushes.)

I personally think the international prices of the elf products defeats their ideology of premium affordable makeup. The e.l.f essential lipstick that retail for $1 is priced INR 147, a little more than converted currency. And to top that, we have customs duties and taxes.
I hastily added correcting primers and serum foundation, flabbergasted to see it exceeds the price point of a mediocre Indian drugstore foundation. After calculating the increased pricing and customs duties and taxes, I think I’ll pass.
elf is cruelty-free and PETA approved, was the only plus point that compelled me to place an order. Perhaps I’ll splurge on my birthday, better!
You can check out the link below to check the list of countries elf cosmetics currently ships. They are currently offering free worldwide shipping on the order above $50 excluding France, Australia, Netherlands, Sweden and Mexico.
http://www.elfcosmetics.com/page/international

Chips make fine snacks, especially with dips. I am not really fond of plain potato chips with excess salt and oil. I did try Bittergourd & Sweet potato chips, but the taste was below par, forget the nutrition. Terrachips is the creation of Alex Dzieduszycki and Dana Sinkler. The determination was to present flavourful appetizers to accompany drinks at bars. According to Terrachips, every vegetable is selected and prepared in small batches and then packed into bags to retain flavours and crispness.

source

My first ever Lipstick and Polish were from Lakme, both true red and I was only ten. Lakme was my favourite brand while I was in school mostly because of easy availability and perhaps, naiveness?
Then there was Elle 18, Revlon, Tips and Toes. Revlon had quite a cult following, I remember the round black packaging with gold ring around that did look as good as an Estee Lauder lipstick!
When I started discovering new brands, I never looked back. Lakme Lip and Cheek tint from their 2012 limited edition bridal collection was my last product ever, I'll hold on to it ever.
And now they've launched their Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Lip & Cheek Color and honestly they look irresistible.
The products are affordable and tailor-made for brown/olive skin tones. But a question always echoed in my head: Is Lakme Cruelty-free? or even Vegan? Any products!
And I was never answered upon asking. Infinite unanswered emails later, I decided to dig deep since the search queries have overwrought my blog search. So I finally sat down to research the brand's stance on animal testing.



So my conclusion: Lakme conducts animal testing either on the finished products or on the raw materials.

Why?

• Never have I heard Lakme promoting their products as cruelty-free or being against animal testing.
• Hindustan Unilever is the parent company, one of the miscreants (if I could put across ever so politely) of the animal-testings.
• Lakme is an Indian brand and is largely exported to Malaysia apart from Nepal and UAE,  Though I could not trace China.
  
  I have already filtered the brand from my essentials or lust list, no matter how alluring the new launches seem to me.

LR tarteist Lash Paint Mascara, Sleek Pout Paint, Urban Decay 24/7 Perversion

I wanted to get hold of The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask when it was
first launched. But it was out of stock always and I assumed it was a Limited Edition.  When The Body Shop updated their packaging, I was glad I could find it.

Ever since cutting down dairy from my diet, my skin turned anhydrous and extremely dry.
Almond oil failed to provide nourishment to my dry skin. I needed a turnabout and this was it.
I started using it from the day I bought it and I made sure of noting down my usage and surveillance of first Five days.

I applied this using distinctive techniques. Because I was puzzled.

Night One: Used the Bouncy Sleeping Mask as a Night Cream. Massaged a dollop onto my face and neck till it was turned viscous to touch.

Night Two: I practiced the same method above with Two dollops of this Sleeping Mask.

Night Three: I practiced the same method above with Three dollops. And then layered a generous amount. (The layering was inclusive of the Three dollops)

Night Four: Skipped because I was too tired to follow my night time routine.

Night Five: Used just One dollop of this Mask for both massaging and layering.

My Five Day Experience:

I was anticipating quick results and glowing skin the very next morning. On the morning after my first usage, my skin was the same: Dry and dehydrated. When I used it on the second night, certain areas like my nose, eyebrows and sides of my nose were tingling, a bit much. And the tingling continued for rest of the night, all nights. The morning after my third night, my skin was plump, hydrated and my complexion clarified with a lasting dewiness on my nose. My paper-thin sensitive skin did not break out at all. I did not sleep a bit the third night but my skin still looked well slept but my eyes were drowsy with the lack of sleep. I skipped the fourth night because my sleep cycle was disturbed.

How I continued using the product:

I pretty much use the same amount: One dollop and massage half of it onto my skin and then layer the rest on the dry-dehydrated areas
I am using it since mid-June and I skipped the third week since I was a bit occupied. So after using this for Two weeks straight. My skin wasn't as dry as it was during the skipped period and I resumed my routine again on 1st July. I followed the same technique mentioned above.
This does not stain my pillow since I let it absorb but I make sure I change them every alternate day.
There is one bizarre thing I did from day one, I hydrate myself with a glass full of water before and after applying this.
Considering the Humidity level is 89% these days, I have stopped using this. I did wake up with congested nose and cheeks the other day. I have switched to Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Miracle Serum and it has been a week. I would resume again in Cold months or whenever my skin feels dehydrated. I don't think this would complement acne-prone Oily skin.


 
Price: 2495 INR
Quantity: 90ml
Is The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask Cruelty-Free and Vegan? Yes (though I couldn't find packaging mentioning the same)

Ingredients list and Analysis:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propandiol, Dimethicone, Glycerin (humectant), Diheptyl Succinate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Caffeine,Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil, Capylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance, Adenosine, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Linalool, Polysorbate 20,  Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem CellCulture, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Xanthum Gum

A combination of   
Water, Humectants (Glycerin, Propanediol)
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer (derived from Castor Oil)
Emollients ( Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil- Sunflower seed oil, Dimethicone, Diheptyl Succinate )
Preservatives (Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol)
Plants/Seed Extracts (Babassu Seed Oil, Edelweiss)
The Mask has an extremely pleasant & soothing floral fragrance which reminds me of Jasmine. The fragrance used in the mask is Citronellol, a natural fragrance derived from rose, geranium, and lemongrass. Caffeine is rich in antioxidants and instantly perks up the skin.
And the Wizard of this magic potion: Sodium Hyaluronate, the salt of Hyaluronic Acid. 

Recommendation: This is life or death. I can skip moisturizing throughout the day and still expect my skin to be hydrated. I don't mind the gluey feeling or don't find it messy either for the results. I tend to skip sleep and some days I have disrupted schedules and this had been showing its signs on my skin. To put in in one line: I can cheat my sleep with The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask & Caffeine!
I do recommend if your abrupt lifestyle affects your skin ;-)

Repurchase: YES though I would love to try a few other sleeping masks.