Friday, October 23, 2015

Is Natio Cruelty-free? UPDATE

I discovered Natio in late August while surfing through Amazon & Nykaa. The Brand sparked an inquisitiveness and I began researching on Youtube. I was flabbergasted to know the brand is Plant based and Cruelty-free. I wanted a statement, so I dropped Natio an email inquiring about their stance on being Cruelty-free. Here is the reply.


Dear Pranali

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. Natio is always striving to produce the very best quality products for our customers and feedback such as yours helps us in this process.

Natio does not conduct or condone animal testing. Neither our ingredients nor manufacturing processes harm animals. We actively support and have been accredited since 1996 by 'Choose Cruelty Free', an Australian organisation screening beauty care companies and helping consumers recognise genuine cruelty-free brands. We assure you that Natio very firmly opposes the testing of products on animals.

Natio does not currently export to mainland China due to mandatory animal testing to register products.  Natio is available in Sasa stores in HK, Malaysia and Taiwan where animal testing is not required to register products.

I trust this assists. Once again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and for supporting Australian made products, which are not tested on animals.



Best regards

Sheridan Wright
Export Manager

I had already placed an order for Natio Mineral Crystal Loose Foundation & Natio Pure Mineral Foundation (packaging replicates MAC Face & Body Foundation.) But unfortunately, the latter product went out of stock.
I had Acne back in August/September and I was and I am still psyched about the Foundation. I was planning to create a tutorial on my Mineral Foundation routine, but I think I'll skip it.
You can read more about Natio on their Website.

UPDATE:


As on 13 June 2017

I was going through all my non-cruelty-free makeup sorting out listed and non-listed makeup products. I cannot find "No animal testing" or "Cruelty-free" mentioned on the packaging. Also, I checked on SaSa, they do have number of stores in Mainland china. So technically, if all the products listed on the websites are sold in China that means Natio is sold in SaSa stores (through online retailers perhaps third party retailers) in Mainland China as well.
Here is the link: http://corp.sasa.com/en/store-locator/china/


Thursday, October 15, 2015

Mod Mix: 1960's Inspired Crease Cut Eyes with Minimal Makeup

Mod Mix: 1960's Inspired Crease Cut Eyes with Minimal Makeup
A privy de rigueur blur opening image, you can laugh if you get that! =D

I Love Runway Makeup. I used to check MAC Cosmetics Instafeed with Graphic Eyeliners, Ombre Lips and Glitter Eyes. For Mod Mix, I wanted a fusion of the bygone decades & Contemporary techniques/makeup. I certainly figured, attempted Hepburn’s Crease-cut but that is for another day...

My Vanity is a mess; I can hardly find a thing. This weekend is reserved for arrangements, sorting and discarding. I still have Sephora Makeup Samples gah!
The Mod Mix is about Fresh Face: Minimal Makeup paired with the 60’s Crease-cut (that turned out bad.) I corrected my darkness under my eyes with NYX Concealer in medium and kept my face extremely minimal by buffing Rimmel Staymatte on my Face. Further, I applied Lightest Shimmery shade on my eyelid and black, the darkest for Crease. I layered the black using Noir from Sleek Au Naturel. Winged out using Maybelline Gel Eyeliner and finished off using Bourjois Beautyfull Mascara.
I stippled NYX Cream Blush onto the Apples of my cheeks. And I finished off with a hint of same blush topped with Revlon Colorburst in Papaya.
I skipped Contouring & Highlighting too.

The Errors:
I couldn’t find Eyeshadow primer, any. So the eyeshadow creased.
I chose the wrong lid base, the pigmentation is fine but it creased and you will see that below.

Mod Mix: 1960's Inspired Crease Cut Eyes with Minimal Makeup

Mod Mix: 1960's Inspired Crease Cut Eyes with Minimal Makeup

For Face:
NYX Beyond Concealer in Medium under the eyes
Stay Matte Powder in Sandstorm

For Cheeks:
NYX Cream Blush

For Lips:
Revlon Colorburst in Papaya with a hint of Cream Blush

For Eyes:
Coastal Scents Revealed Sampler

Darn! That was minimal!
I certainly will love to recreate the same look correcting my mistakes, soon! =)

*I am linking this look up the #TheMakeupMixup with the wonderful hosts Jaelan & Miranda

Monday, October 12, 2015

Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot Review, Swatches, Ingredients and Photos


Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot Review, Swatches, Photos
Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot Review, Swatches, Photos

Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot is a sheer Lip gloss with a hint of Apricot. The Apricot tint is soft and turns sheer on application, almost a sheer Coral gloss with a hint of warmth. The Applicator is brush which makes it easier to build the vibrancy or shine. The Gloss does not contain shimmer. [The swatch reflects shimmer transferred from my lipstick.]

Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot in Bright Day Light

The Texture of Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot is Non-sticky and waterproof. It does not bleed though it transfers. Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot is light and hydrates/moisturises well. I prefer wearing this alone paired with Kohl Eyes. (I rarely wear Kohl and if I do, I make sure it is heavy and smoked.) Though my lips are pigmented or dual discoloured, I don’t mind wearing this alone at all. I also use this layered above few of my Coral Lipsticks.

The Longevity is slightly better than other Lip glosses I’ve tried but not better than Bourjois Rose Exclusif since it leaves a tint. I think it is the viscosity of this Gloss; this stays on for 3 hours straight without meals or water.


Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot Swatch in Daylight
Price:  900INR for 4ml
Cruelty-Free Status: Cruelty-Free but Not Vegan

Ingredient List:
Polybutene,  Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil),Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tocopheryl Acetate,  Aloe Barbadensis Extract (Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract), Trihydroxystearin, Parfum (Fragrance) and may contain: [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499,  Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Carmine CI 75470, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Red 22 Lake CI 45380,  Bismuth Oxychloride CI 77163, Red 28 Lake CI 45410, Red 36 CI 12085, Red 7 Lake CI 15850, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate,  Silica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, Mica] (EU seulement/only: CI 77510) May contain carmine as a color additive.
Kryolan High Gloss Brilliant Lip Shine in Apricot Lip swatch

Pros:
Waterproof, Non-Sticky Formula
Light Texture
Moisturizes & Hydrates well with a slight plumping effect.

Cons:
Unduly High for a Lipgloss
Transfers almost every trace on the glass [See the Water Transfer Test below.]
Availability



The Verdict: I have been wearing this gloss through the monsoon. And it does stay until you either blot down with a tissue or remove with cleanser/makeup remover. Even when it starts fading, the reflect starts to dull but it is as moisturising as it is freshly applied.  I have started wearing Lip glosses to moisturise my lips when I’m out and this overfills my moisture urgency. I don’t feel the need to reapply my lip balm for hours notably.

Recommendation: If you prefer Sheer Tinted, light Lip glosses. Wear alone or layer on a Lipstick; excluding the price tag.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Review, Swatches, Photos


Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Review, Swatches, Photos
Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red in Bright Day Light

Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red is a warm orange based Red. The Colour is Deep Scarlet Red and is semi-opaque in a single swipe. The base colour is true Red with a Scarlet overtone to it. After blotting with a tissue, a True Red colour with a slight hint of Scarlet remains.

Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Review


The Texture is mousse like Silky and with a touch of warmth turns oily. It certainly is fleecy and creamy to touch. It does not set to a Matte finish rather it settles into fine lines, it bleeds as well.
I wear almost all lip colours softly blotted and this one is no exception. Blotting does take away the intensity of the Red, but I find it more wearable blotted since I sidestep the Lipstick bleeding.

The applicator is flat rectangular which again makes it easier for me to line on the go. But since this bleeds, I avoid.

Price: 279 INR

Cruelty-Free Status: There is a bit of perplexity from what I have researched. I could not find anything positive in terms of Non Cruelty-free, even after a lot of reading between the lines. I am assuming Essence is NOT Cruelty-Free even though they are not sold in China.

Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Review in India, Buy online India



Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Ingredients




Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Swatches in India
Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Sunglight and Flash Swatches 
Cons:
~Bleeds
~ It develops tides if you press lips together
~ Accentuates flakes and fine lines
~ Transfers

Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red Swatches on Medium Skin Tone, Essence Cosmetics in India
Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red blotted excess

The Verdict:
I picked this on a whim of trying the most loved Drugstore brand in Europe. I wanted Coral Calling; I picked this instead since it was out of stock. There was one more Rosy Brown Colour; I assumed it would be too warm for my Neutral Complexion.
The texture is unique, nothing like I have tried before. After blotting, the texture turns powdery, just sits on top with a True red slight stain beneath. Not flattering.
The staying power is poor and it does transfer easily. Also it easily moves. I am introducing Water Glass Lipstick Transfer Test. I hope that would give much into the aspect of staying power as well. I think the weather plays an important role here, because I have seen/read other bloggers raving about this. Certainly not for Hot humid Climate.

Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red: The Water Glass Transfer Test

Recommendation:
I would not recommend it to anyone unless on budget. The texture is pretty workable if lined, filled and blotted well.

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Pumpkin Spice: Copper Smokey Eyemakeup and Berry Lips for TheMakeupMixUp


Copper Smokey Eyemakeup, Berry Pink Lips, Berry Pink Lipsticks for Fall

I had few things in my mind; this is probably my third attempt. And I’d say this turned out the best of them. Last week when I was working on Matte makeup look, I accidentally wore an Orange-Coral blush and a Coral Lipstick. The makeup was extremely minimal, just diffused coral on cheeks and lips.
I was saving that look for Pumpkin Spice, but I wanted an eye makeup to go with Coral Lips. I wanted the festive mood to break in.
I chose Copper Smokey Eye makeup paired with Berry Lipstick with Purple undertone. I almost assumed I didn’t have Fall/Autumn Lip colours. The Eyeshadow finish is metallic, so I skipped Highlighter and kept the rest of my face Matte. And used a Gorgeous Coral Blush.
This look is not something I’d wear during the day or even for a casual day. I’d probably wear this for a Wedding or something alike.

Easy Copper Smokey Eye makeup

Also, I kept my base extremely light. I concealed wherever needed over the CC cream. I paired a Berry Pink/Magenta Lace Tank with this. My tank matched the Lipstick. I know I've been repeating a lot of products, but few colours from the Sleek Palettes are my go-to transition colours.

And I am too tired to list the steps. Here are the Products I used:

For Face:
Bourjois CC cream
MAC Prolongwear Concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte in Sandstorm

Copper Smokey Eyemakeup Tutorial and Contouring Using Sleek Face Contour Kit

For Cheeks:
Contoured using  Sleek Contouring Palette
Kryolan Blush in TC1

For Lips:
Lancome Rouge in Love 351B as Lip Tint

Pumpkin Spice: Copper Smokey Eye and Berry Lips for TheMakeupMixUp

I have quite a few Corals appropriate for the theme, but I didn't want to make total 'pumpkin' out of myself. Now do I? :D

*I am linking this look up the #TheMakeupMixup with the wonderful hosts Jaelan & Miranda