Saturday, December 02, 2017
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Classic Beige and Amber Beige Review, Swatches, Shades and FOTD
In
Foundation,
Makeup
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in classic beige is a decent match for me when I am not tanned (update: this did not oxidise on me for a few uses, but now after being exposed to light and air, it does oxidise on unprimed skin). Amber Beige has a bit of red undertone to it which brings out my redness and looks darker than my neck and chest. I prefer mixing classic beige and amber beige in 2:1 when I acquire a bit of tan. I am not sure of my shade in MAC studio fix, but MAC Master Match Foundation in 5.0 is almost a good match. I have looked up and have watched videos for all the medium/tan shades to make the guesswork for the shade that would be my closest match. I will be mentioning MAC equivalents of Wet n Wild Photo Focus shades for Indian skin tones.
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation is now available in India exclusively on Nykaa. I purchased classic beige and amber beige on Beautdor for 850 and 600 INR, respectively. And I am glad the price point on Nykaa is decent and retails for 599 INR.
Why I picked Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation?
A drugstore foundation which is vegan, gluten-free and fragrance free Also sulphate, paraben and oil free. Wet N Wild is cruelty-free and is certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Shades
The fact that I would find my perfect match for $5.99 or 599 INR left me exhilarated. Although I am unsure of my match in MAC, I had got shade matched in Lancome. I am in shade 03 for Lancome Miracle Air De Teint (leans more warm on me).
I have neutral undertone which was evident only after brainstorming research. I used warm under-toned foundations and always wondered why my skin tone looked muddy.
The shade classic beige oxidises on me and looks better than amber beige which shows up a bit too red on my skin. The picture below is quite evident; it is stark in person.
For tan/olive/Indian skin tones the shade referencing as per my finding:
For neutral/warm undertones ~
Cream Beige/Golden Beige would be equivalent to MAC NC35–NC37
Classic Beige/Bronze Beige would be equivalent to MAC NC37–NC40
Amber Beige/Dessert Beige would be equivalent to MAC NC40–NC42
Caramel/Toffee would be equivalent to NC44–NC45
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| Left to Right: Classic Beige, Amber Beige |
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| Left to Right: Classic Beige, Amber Beige |
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation Review
First of all, I am in love with the light-weight texture. If blended well with a beauty blender or makeup sponge, it is does look and feel weightless. Though Wet N Wild claims that the foundation is fragrance-free, it does have a slight paint smell to it.
The consistency is medium, and it blends effortlessly on primed skin. I did test this foundation with and without primer, and it works best with a primer underneath. Without primer, it does cling to dry patches and accentuates them. The coverage is light to medium and is buildable upto full coverage as per the claims but honestly I prefer just one layer for photography. I did apply three layers and it accentuated my non-existent pores and clung onto my peach fuzz. I am guessing it would accentuate texture? probably!
A single layer evens out the skin tone and conceals the fading blemishes and scars but fails to cover fresh acne scars.
I dislike setting this foundation with setting powders that I own. But finishing with the Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in Diffused adds such an ethereal glow. I am waiting to receive the Photo Focus Powder and Concealer I ordered from Nykaa.
The finish of the foundation is a cross between satin and matte. It makes the skin appear flawless in daylight and soft flash photography.
It does oxidise on me, and the only way I know to fix it is to use a brightening powder. It did not break me out. I prefer this foundation for quick makeup because it blends in effortlessly. Lately, my skin has been drier than usual. In the pictures below, I am wearing the foundation without primer and setting powder.
Tested Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Natural Light and Iphone 7 Flash
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| Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Classic Beige: Left~ Natural Light <-> Right~ Flash |
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| Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Amber Beige: Left~ Natural Light <-> Right~ Flash |
I love how it looks in natural light, but it looks more flawless in person than in pictures. Silica is the reason why it blurs out all the imperfections. I have both warm white and cool white lights installed in my room, and I find that it does flash back under cool daylight.
Amber beige flashes back slightly pink due to its red undertone.
Tested Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation with Canon 70D Flash
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| Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation in Amber Beige tested with Canon 70D flash |
The camera flash is quite harsh and it did accentuated the dry patches on my nose. Also all my flaws including facial hair/peach fuzz. But then I had been sitting quite close to the camera.
Overall, I am quite impressed with the texture, finish and how flawless it does make my skin look!
It did not oxidise (one at first, but now when the bottle has been exposed to light and air, it does oxidise on me). The finger marks on those shiny, black caps make me uneasy, but I am in love with everything else it has to offer.
Few years back, I switched to using shampoos devoid of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), and that has made a world of difference between how my hair felt before and after. Thin hair runs in the genes, so I had to look out for products, methods and techniques to maintain the texture and volume of my hair.
The five benefits I noticed after switching to SLS free shampoo:
- bouncier hair
- no clogged pores and acne due to silicones in shampoo and conditioner
- less amount required
- squeaky clean scalp
- no stripping off of natural oils.
The Nature's Co Shampoos
The Nature's Co is PETA certified cruelty-free and contains natural ingredients. The surfactant used is derived from coconut. You can read more here. I have used Nori Hair cleanser; you can read an in-depth post here.
The other variants available are as follows:
Barley Volumising Hair Cleanser
Apple-Guava Hair Cleanser
Marigold Hair Cleanser
Watercress Hair Cleanser
Sandalwood Hair Cleanser and Conditioner
Barley Volumising Hair Cleanser
Apple-Guava Hair Cleanser
Marigold Hair Cleanser
Watercress Hair Cleanser
Sandalwood Hair Cleanser and Conditioner
Lush Shampoos and Bars
The news of Lush relaunching in India circulated when they had completely shut down. I wonder what happened to that! Lush Shampoos contain gentle surfactants such as ammonium laureth sulphate (ALS) and sodium alkyl sulfate. Lush claims that their shampoo bars are for people with sensitive scalp. Sigh! I want Ro's Argan and Jason and the Argan oil!Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner
These are the most amazing, refreshing shampoo and conditioner I have used ever. A soft, mild scent yet refreshing; these both left my hair feeling extremely soft. I wish these were available at Sephora India. Their shampoo and conditioner are silicone-free too.Himalaya Daily Shampoo
I never repurchased this after 2012, I honestly felt the ingredient list was incomplete. This does contain same surfactant base (ALS) as Lush. I did try their protein shampoo and felt that it did make my hair feel a bit thicker to touch. This is by far the cheapest SLS-free shampoo available in India.Soulflower Shampoo Bars
Rosemary and Lavender Shampoo bar is my favourite. I always stock up on the mentioned variant. Sandalwood Geranium Shampoo bar dries out my hair and scalp, and Let your Hair down shampoo makes my hair greasy pretty quickly. I have a criterion for liking shampoos: two days down and no grease; a keeper!Kama Ayurveda Shampoos*
Update: The second ingredient on the list is SLES. Although it is SLS-free, it is not SLES-free.
*This list is updated on 22 May 2020.
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Monday, June 19, 2017
Messy Hair, Bold brows, Nerd Glasses Makeup | Two Makeup Looks to Wear With Glasses
In
Makeup Looks
I prefer wearing glasses these days and coordinating my makeup and clothing. Just these geeky nerdy glasses.
I never found an eyewear that fits right or looks good on my small face. I am much amused to pair bold brows with glasses. To be honest, this isn't the usual nerdy; this is just a basic wayfarer frame, the smallest I could hunt down.
Anastasia Beverly Hills' Dip Brow Pomade has me spaced out, and I tend to go overboard a lot! I am just wearing the Brow Pomade here in these pictures. I have asymmetrical brows; one is arched and thick and another is straight and sparse.
In the picture above, I am wearing Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation mixed with The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser. I did set my T-zone with Kryolan Translucent Powder and bronzed-up my skin using Physicians Formula Bronzer. For lips, I smeared Maybelline Lip Polish in Glam 7 to add a diffused coral warmth. I did skip blush and eye makeup except for mascara.
And lots of curling!
For hair, I did half up and half down and secured them with bobby pins.
I have used a tinted lip balm instead of full blown opaque colour since I bronzed my cheeks and temples. For base, I am wearing a combination of MAC Matchmaster and Bourjous Healthy Mix Serum for medium coverage. I generously bronzed my side face in shape of three, added a little bronzer in the crease as well. I applied mascara after lots of eyelash curling!
For cheeks and lips, I used the same product (shea butter + almond oil + Sleek Lip paint in Pinkini).
I have used this as lip and cheek tint, blending on the apples of my cheeks using a Beauty Blender. Precisely, I wanted diffused pink on the cheeks. I love wearing lipstick as blush.
I am listing my five favourite makeup tips and tricks for women who wear glasses:
I have used this as lip and cheek tint, blending on the apples of my cheeks using a Beauty Blender. Precisely, I wanted diffused pink on the cheeks. I love wearing lipstick as blush.
I am listing my five favourite makeup tips and tricks for women who wear glasses:
Light coverage to avoid spectacle marks
I prefer light coverage foundation, and I cannot bear the layers—primer, foundation, concealer—unless I am taking photographs. In real, I prefer looking even instead of camouflaged. If you want to add coverage, adding a long wearing primer (and using eyeshadow primer on the bridge where glasses rest) and pressing the foundation into the skin works. Make sure to set your foundation and concealer in place before wearing glasses.Brighten the under-eyes and add mascara
Eyes appear smaller through glasses. I make sure to curl my eyelashes at least twice before adding a layer or two of mascara. Do not build too much, as it can lead to streaks and smudges on glasse—skip lengthening mascara and switch to volumising one. I skip eyeliner altogether and tight line if need be or use an eyeshadow to elongate the shape of my eyes. Do not forget to brighten your under-eyes with illuminating concealer or finishing powder.Subtle lips vs bold lips
I never experimented pairing bold lips with glasses. Perhaps, I am too meek to pair them and effortlessly carry it off. I would prefer subtly coloured lips for a natural look or bright tinted balms and glosses (blotted) any time.Neutral eyeshadows
I cannot wear glittery sparkly colours on my eyelids when I am wearing glasses. Glasses and glittery eye makeup just throws me off balance; I mean that is not for me. All I do is prime my eyelids to even out the discolouration and add bronzer in the crease.Bold, bolder, boldest
Now this is not the kind of drawing I prefer. I keep my shape natural and asymmetrical and draw on strokes with pomade or pencil, creating thin strokes of hair, mimicking the natural ones. Perfectly done symmetrical brows somehow look unnatural to me. At times I set my brows using just clear brow gel, or soap for hold, but most days pomade or pencil works just fine!
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| Souce: Sebamed |
Sebamed is a pharmaceutical brand which once was Leaping Bunny certified. And then lost their certification when it started selling in China.
Perhaps a misstatement must have been floating around in some of my posts that Sebamed is cruelty-free. And I purchased few products to try under the same pretext. Sebamed Clear Face Cleansing Bar and Clear Face Cleansing Foam works amazing for my acne vulgaris. Though a little drying on my combination skin.
But I did read that Sebamed is Cruelty-free. I was convinced until I read their FAQs.
Are Sebamed Products Vegan?
Sebamed products do not consist animal-derived ingredients. Except for Sebamed Visio Gentle Toner and Sebamed Hand & Nail Balsam.Sebamed Visio Gentle Toner contains hydrolyzed silk that is derived from silkworm cocoons. And Sebamed Hand & Nail Balsam has hydrolyzed keratin which is derived from sheep.
Beeswax is used in the listed products:
Sebamed Healing & Protection Cream
Sebamed Lip Defense SPF 30
Sebamed Baby Diaper Rash CreamSebamed Extreme Dry Skin 10% Urea Repair Lotion
All Sebamed Soap Free Cleansers
Sebamed is vocal about their regulations they follow and does not brand themselves as 'Cruelty-free'.
Animal testing is not involved in the manufacturing process of the products. But they are unsure of the ingredients and their testing on animals and hence no relevant statement could be provided. The manufacturing process follows the German Cosmetics Regulation which has banned finished products test on animals.
Sebamed sells in China
Sebamed acquired the Leaping Bunny Certification in 2014 and lost soon after they started selling in China. Here is the link to the website: http://www.sebamed.com.cn
Animal Testing on Finished Products is mandatory in China.
Parent Company: Sebapharma GmbH&Co.
Conclusion: The finished products are not tested on animals but the ingredients used are perhaps tested on animals which conclude Sebamed as Non-Cruelty-free.
I have not discarded a single empty container since November 2016. I was knee-deep in work. My vanity is cluttered, so much so that it irks me to a point where I want to throw away everything I no longer find useful. I am determined to discard or giveaway non-cruelty free products. To top it all, I went ahead and selected few products to finish by 30th June.
Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50 Price: INR 395
Bath and Body Works Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist Price is $14.00 for 8 fl oz / 236 mL.
Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50
I purchased this believing this could be used as a gel-based primer. I'm mistaken. This gel would just consume my moisturiser and within an hour, I would end up with a stretchy feeling. My powder foundation would turn blotchy with this underneath. It would peel and flake and come off easily on with sweat.
The only good thing, it does not cause sweating.
The Body Shop Drops Of Light Brightening Cleansing Foam
I loved using this in the mornings mostly. But I don't think so it is worth 1500! There are so many affordable alternatives. And how long does a cleanser stay on, a minute? Read my thoughts here
Bath and Body Works Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist
Too sweet for my liking. On me, it bloomed sweet than floral. On my mom, it would bloom sweet floral. Does not remind me of spring at all. The staying power can be prolonged by using a fragrance-free moisturizer underneath.
Colorbar Single Eyeshadow in 10 Black Tie
This is from the year I acknowledged makeup as my interest. This is one of the few eyeshadows I bought while building my makeup collection. I could not use this much, black eyeshadow with silver glitter flecks; god! What was I thinking?!
Oh! Another good reason, to toss this out, I am kissing goodbye to all my non-cruelty-free makeup products.
This eyeshadow, by the way, is discontinued.
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Audacious Asphalt and Painted Purple
The fixation of buying newly launched products didn't quite develop in me or so I think. I didn't find any much use for these colourful shadows for my everyday makeup. I barely wore full-faced makeup anyway. I used them only in Spring. You can check out my spring makeup tutorial to see Painted Purple looks on brown eyes.
I wish they'd launched matte, neutral dark brown colour which could also be used as eyebrow pomade and eyeliner and eyeshadow, of course.
Maybelline Color Tattoo is discontinued in India.
Suncote Gel SPF 30
This one is prescribed by my dermatologist for hyperpigmentation. In 2014, I noticed shadowy darkness on the outer parts of my face. On consultation, it was darkening due to the sun. I was using Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matte Look Daily Sunblock SPF 40. It was my holy grail only until I discovered that it lacks the sun protection I need.
Suncote Gel is a bit sticky but works great as a makeup primer. Sadly, it does not sit well with my powder foundations and mineral foundations. It does not flake or peel and is sweat proof, if wore without makeup. I conclude this is the best sunscreen for oily skin.
I'd repurchase if I could get high SPF, so I don't have to reapply every hour.
Suncote Gel SPF 30 Price INR 355 for 100 grams
VLCC Sun Defense Matte Look Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 | PA+++*
I was quite excited to try this since it has a slight tint to it. It smells like pineapples dipped in cherry-flavoured expectorant. Can you imagine? I cannot tolerate the fragrance to be honest. When I tested this for the first time, I slathered it all on exposed parts. As soon as I stepped out in sun, I started sweating profusely. To my horror, it melted down in sun. That was one embarrassing situation for me until I cleaned all of it and ended up with sunburn (I was out in the afternoon).
I don't recommend this bummer in a bottle.
Victoria's Secret Lost in Fantasy Body Mist
I loved it even though it was quite fruity on me. For once, I enjoyed the sweet notes of passionfruit.
But boy! I was a failure in panning this, it took me two years to finish this off. I'd use this on and off.
I love the refreshing fragrance, reminds me of beaches and pineapples. The colour blue reminds me of Andamans. This could be weird, but this blooms with sweat that makes it perfect for the humid climate.
NYX Retractable Eyeliner in White
I purchased this to create neon wing eyeliner using my Sleek Acid palette. I could not find this on any of Indian e-commerce websites. NYX is cruelty-free. This is unusable and has passed its PAO date.
Dermalogica Total Eyecare SPF 15
This was a part of the kit. I did not review this then was because I wanted to give it some time to consider if I like it. It fails to sink in and moves my concealer. I tried incorporating it in my evening skincare routine, and it did nothing. No noticeable difference in hydration. I hope there is a better eye cream from Dermalogica.
Dermalogica is cruelty-free!
NYX Eyeshadow Base in White
I don't remember where I bought this from, but there is barely any dent on the surface. I also have NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk which performs much better as an eyeshadow base. NYX Eyeshadow Base in White blends easily but goes on extremely sheer, and the white pigment settles in the fine lines on my eyelids. It did not at all enhance my eyeshadow. I never prefered it except few times when I couldn't find my other eyshadow bases. Concealer works much better as a matter of fact.
NYX Eyshadow Base in White is available on Nykaa and Amazon for INR 725.
Large Stippling Brush from Coastal Scents 22 Piece Brush Kit
Coastal Scents brush kits are probably good for starting out. Some of them are unusable, but face brushes are better in my honest opinion. This was one of my favourite brushes, and I used it almost daily to buff my foundation. Using this as a stippling brush was my way to achieve sheerest coverage ever: just the way I like it. I am looking for a better option, a cruelty-free one; I think I found one but I need to dig deep for the brand's cruelty-free stance.Lip balms: Maybelline Baby Lips and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15
Baby lips is 50% used, and Neutrogena is all scraped out. I quite like the Norwegian formula!
The best sun protection for lips ever. I seem to repurchase it in spite of the ban, thats how much I like it. I used this up in merely three months! And I did not repurchase, instead, I purchased Sebamed Lip Defense, but that is not cruelty-free either. I am lost here; I need a lip balm that is cruelty-free, has SPF 30 and is not tinted!
*Sent by brand for consideration
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